Thinking of taking a trip to the Orient? Look no further than Mann's Chinese Theatre, located right in Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles! Whether you are enjoying a movie, taking a tour or watching a footprinting ceremony at the theatre's famous forecourt, this theatre is defiantly worth the visit in your Los Angeles car rental!
Before visiting the beautiful Mann's Chinese Theatre in your Los Angeles car rental, there is a brief history for your reference. Mann's Chinese Theatre was previously known as the Grauman's Chinese Theatre before it was purchased by Ted Mann (owned of Mann's Theatre Chain) in 1973. It was originally built by legendary showman Sid Grauman (he also built the nearby Egyptian Theatre and the Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway) and was opened to the public on May 19th, 1927. The 1st debut ever to premiere in this theatre was the original silent version of "King of Kings", produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Grauman was also the first one to come up with the idea of putting a star's footprints in wet cement. Since then, Mann's Chinese Theatre has been the site of more gala Hollywood movie premieres than any other theatre!
Perhaps the first thing you will notice when you arrive to the theatre in your Los Angeles car rental would be the exotic and breathtaking architecture! As you enter the lobby you will be amazed with the elaborate wall murals depicting life in the Orient. When you look up to the ceiling you will find an intricate Chinese chandelier. If you look to the West wing, you will find a glass case containing three wax figures from the Hollywood Wax Museum wearing authentic Chinese costumes from Cathay! The auditorium just as impressive! Here you will find 2200 bright red seats and red carpet kept in excellent condition. A spectacular chandelier can be found surrounded by an ornate starburst that is decorated by a ring of dragons. You will also find small oriental lamps glowing at the sides of the auditorium as well as 4 private opera boxes for visiting celebrities. Check out the collection of Asian statues, gongs, vases, and shield all over the theatre!
Perhaps the greatest honor for a Hollywood star is to receive his/her footprint imprinted in wet cement outside the forecourt of Mann's Chinese Theatre. Since the 1st ceremony in 1927, when Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Sid Grauman placed their hands and feet in the west cement, over 200 prints have accumulated in the theater's forecourt! However, not only human hands and feet can be in the cement! If you look closely, you will find 3 horse imprint hooves (i.e.: Tom Mix's "Tony"), prints of George Burn's cigars, John Wayne's fist, Whoopi Goldberg's dreadlocks, Bob Hope's nose, R2D2's treadmarks and a whole lot more! These days, the remaining cement space is scarce and it is reserved for true superstars! New prints are only added once or twice a year! The public is welcomed to watch, although a safe distance must be kept from the wet cement and the movie star! Before coming to the theatre in your Los Angeles car rental, call the theatre at (818) 784-6266, press#3 for public relations and see if there are any upcoming footprint ceremonies! You might just be in for a treat!
Parking, Directions and Ticket Prices
Parking can be a real challenge in Hollywood! However, you can find parking in the garage under the new Hollywood and Highland project for $2 with validation (enter on Orange Ave.), You can also park your Los Angeles car rental in one of the paid lots south of Hollywood Boulevard (east of Orange) with rates ranging from $2-$6. Current ticket prices to see a movie inside the theatre are as follows: Adult $10 (USD), Seniors $7 and Children 12 and under $7. You can also take a half hour walking guided tour for $5 (kids under 5 are free). To get to Mann Chinese Theatre from the Hollywood (101) Freeway, take your Los Angeles car rental down the Hollywood Boulevard exit and go west on Hollywood Boulevard for a mile and half just past Highland Ave. The theatre will be on your right.