Mann’s Chinese Theater – Los Angeles, California
Opened by Cecil B. De Mille’s film “King of Kings.” The cinema was built in 1927 and still attracts hundreds of people to it on a regular basis.
Like the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Blvd. and the Million Dollar on LAs’ Broadway, the Chinese theater is also a creation of Sid Grauman, who had a predilection for exotic cinema places. The theater took on the name of its current owner, Ted Mann, and displays numerous Chinese features such as the two giant Chinese heavenly dogs at the entrance to keep away evil spirits. The foyer has thick oriental carpets that are fabulous to see, the large vases and urns add to the Chinese environment. Add to that the statue of a Chinese philosopher, three wax figures in the corner who are clothed in exotic Chinese robes and you can see the grandeur of the theater.
The largest “autograph collection” in the world is displayed in the forecourt. There you see the foot and hand-prints of more than 150 film personalities, together with their signatures. The story is that silent-film actress Constance Talmadge walked on the wet cement in front of the theater (by mistake) and inspired Grauman to continue on with what had been an accident and turn it into the famous attraction that it is today. There is still enough space left for the foot and hand-prints of actors, directors and producers to last for another thirty years.
Location: 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90028
Phone: 323-464-8111
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