This photo of glamour girls “helping” to put up electrified Christmas trees on Hollywood Blvd illustrates something I don’t think I ever quite realized: how big those holiday season decorations were. With actual humans for comparison, they were much bigger than I’ve ever thought. We can see that with Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the background, they were on the south side of Hollywood Blvd, and from the angle, I’d say they were at around the Orange Dr. corner. The Hitchcock movie “Spellbound” was playing at the time, which dates this photo to late 1945, the first Christmas after the war. (“Spellbound” played Grauman’s for 5 weeks from November 9 to December 13)
Bill C. says: “It might be interesting to note that the ladies helping with the decorating were showgirls from the Earl Carroll Theatre.”
Daniel N. says: “It should be mentioned this is the first reappearance of these trees after the war. They were not allowed under dim out conditions 1942-44.”
This is roughly how that view looked in July 2024.
Martin – thanks for another great post. Can believe someone had the idea to say we’rere going to send these women up round rung ladders in high heels? The woman on the top right is 3 people high plus a platform so she’s probably up a good 20 feet in the air. Wouldn’t get me to do it in work-boots 🙂
Happy Holidays to all my fellow Martin Turnbull readers!
This was the era of no work place safety, so who cares about pretty girls in high heels up tall ladders??!?
Those are some dang skimpy outfits, too. Hope it was a balmy November!
As my English friends in L.A. used to say, “That’s some top totty.”
Martin, you are right. First thing, I noticed was the TALL ladder. Not too secure. Where was Sid Grauman? But that’s Hollywood and the whole point was to attract an audience, and they sure did. Most famous theater
in the world! Outstanding architecture. If you’re a local, the story is silent screen star Norma Talmadge stopped by the place while it was under construction and accidentally stepped into cement. Cement footprints! Thus a spectacular idea was born.
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks followed. Only problem today is the expensive parking. Best to walk a few blocks to get there, but what a treat.
Footnote: Being the congenial host I am, I was offered a job there to be a host/greeter. And what an opportunity, right in the heart of Hollywood. That said, it’s all about parking. It can be costly if you are there on a daily basis. I used to park on Outpost Drive, a few blocks away, where you could park all day. Not anymore. Two hour parking enforced just about everywhere. If you’re a biker or hiker you got it made. Still a stunning place to be, and you have to visit the theater at least once. A bucket list requirement.
I don’t remember the last time I parked in Hollywood. I always take the subway because parking is so ridiculously expensive!
Martin, it is a shame. That’s the only debit, and I feel sorry for the folks that have to pay. All the years I worked in Hollywood, I was able to park free, also because I was in management, or there were some open spaces — and that was NOT that long ago. What can you do. Not surprising either.
What the H*** happened to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and when
was it painted BATTLESHIP GREY?
I propose someone please return the “Chinese Red” color scheme that was there for many years, and make it shine again!
The red parts of the theatre have mostly been accents over the years. Plus the awnings and over the box office or the roof parts of the addition that opened in 1979. What’s really missing in the color department are the two large neon dragon marquees and the movie titles advertising what was being played. How many times have we dated photos because of the movies being advertised on the marquees? Electronic billboards are, frankly, a bore.