( 
) I was watching the news tonight when they reminded me about the history of the infamous HOLLYWOOD Sign.
It originated in 1923 as an advertising sign on the side of Mt. Cahuenga- HOLLYWOODLAND. I think they call it today Mt. Lee - part of Griffith Park. It was to sell property in the wooded hills in the Hollywood area. It was expected to last one and a half years and never meant to say what it says today.
Well, here we are, the end of 2007 and who has not heard of 'The Hollywood Sign'? It is one of the most recognizable landmarks. I am lucky enough to see it often and it does make me happy every time! I wonder how many photos it has been in?
The 1920's was the beginning of what Hollywood was to become. It had just become the film capitol and people were 'flocking' to the areas. Large and small studios were opening up all over and going to the movies was becoming a norm for Americans. The sign became a symbol of the powerful movie industry and of the 'tourist attraction'. The maintenance of the sign ended in 1939 when the owners went bankrupt and abandoned it.
In 1949, HOLLYWOODLAND got a Hollywood 'make-over.' The Chamber of Commerce helped restore it and it went from a 13 letter word to a 9 letter word and simply became HOLLYWOOD. It has become the symbol of the film industry and dreams. Because of the terrain the letters are slightly staggered. This layout has helped to make it even more recognizable.
Like all 'face-lifts', they don't last forever. In the 1978 Hugh Hefner hosted a party at the Playboy Mansion to raise money to rebuild the sign. In 1980 it received part of a grant for the reconstruction.
Letters were auctioned off to...
From wikipedia:
In 1995 it got a 'paint job.'
By the way, the 9 letters are 45 feet tall!
The original 1923 sign was auctioned off on eBay by Dan Bliss who sold it to artist Bill Mack. I printed a copy of it & have it somewhere.
And you can type hollywood sign history in your search & find a number of sites including the official Hollywood Sign site which has great history and a timeline. You can get further detailed information if you wish.
Enjoy!
Peace, iCanSell4You
11/29/07
P.S. Please vote YES if you find this interesting. Every vote counts!
It originated in 1923 as an advertising sign on the side of Mt. Cahuenga- HOLLYWOODLAND. I think they call it today Mt. Lee - part of Griffith Park. It was to sell property in the wooded hills in the Hollywood area. It was expected to last one and a half years and never meant to say what it says today.
Letters were auctioned off to...
From wikipedia:
- H - Joel Ruiz
- O - Giovanni Mazza
- L - Les Kelley
- L - Gene Autry
- Y - Hugh Hefner
- W - Andy Williams
- O - Warner Bros. Records
- O - Alice Cooper, in memory of Groucho Marx
- D - Dennis Lidtke
In 1995 it got a 'paint job.'
By the way, the 9 letters are 45 feet tall!
The original 1923 sign was auctioned off on eBay by Dan Bliss who sold it to artist Bill Mack. I printed a copy of it & have it somewhere.
Enjoy!
Peace, iCanSell4You
11/29/07
P.S. Please vote YES if you find this interesting. Every vote counts!
Guide created: 11/29/07 (updated 10/19/09)
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