Early Morning on Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards run parallel to each other, so for a brief interlude, I detoured my early morning run by heading north a few blocks. I was hoping that Grauman's Chinese Theatre was still lit from the night before. Mercifully, my 1.7 mile run (while holding the camera) was not wasted.



Across the street, the marquee for the El Capitan was going gangbusters promoting "Into the Woods."



I just saw the movie last night and for the life of me am baffled at how this convoluted movie has done so well at the box office. Of course Meryl Streep is amazing (her voice has greatly improved since "Mamma Mia!"), but besides its visual beauty, the film lacked any real punch.



The Hollywood and Highland Center has a great view of the Hollywood sign from the top of the stairs, but malls rarely call my name. I'll just stay down below on the Boulevard, thank you.



The marquee makes the Hollywood Theatre look like it's still a movie house, but I don't believe that's the case.



At first, I thought this retail store's garage front had a painting of Tippi Hedren. It wasn't until after I labored to get a decent shot in poor lighting that I realized it was Marlene Dietrich.



See more Daveland Hollywood Boulevard photos at my main website.

Old Hollywood Map: The Hollywood Hotel

#23 on my vintage Hollywood Map is the Hollywood Hotel.



Located on the north side of Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orchid Avenues, The Hollywood Hotel was one of the first elegant hotels to spring up in the bustling city of Hollywood. This first photo is from 1906. A closeup of the Hotel's marquee:



This 1950 shot was taken six years before the Hotel was razed to make way for the First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Hollywood, a shopping center, and parking lots.



A closeup of the attached Florist Shop:



On the backside of this photo is a message to Miss Beverly Grant in New York. Today, a 1 cent stamp wouldn't even get this postcard from the service window to the back of the Post Office.



Knowing you'd be as interested as I am in seeing Aunt Laura's message to Beverly, here it is rotated and cleaned up!



Today, this parcel of land is occupied by the Dolby Theater, formerly the Kodak Center and then The Hollywood and Highland Center, which contains a few nods to vintage Hollywood.





From yesterday's post for Cox Pilot, here's a closeup of the sign hanging from the Moonliner. Not very exciting stuff:



See more Daveland Hollywood photos at my main website.