Its Memorial Day weekend and Hollywood is packed. Sidewalks are filled to the curb with wandering tourists. This seemed like a good day to go to the movies. It was a great day for the Chinese Theater. The movie playing was Tim Burton's Dark Shadows; perfect movie for the Grauman's Chinese. Parking was going to be abominable but we had a trick up ours sleeve. There are little side streets tucked away off of Hollywood Blvd. your run of the mill tourist would never know. Score! Eureka a free spot and its a free spot! Off we go into the fray. The two and a half blocks to the theater from the car were an adventure. On a sunny Saturday in the summer season all humanity stops by for some fun. We wove our way over Charlie Sheen, Dolores Hope and Marin Sheen's sidewalk stars until we met Spiderman. He was right outside of the forecourt being photographed by people no longer interested in footprints. Naturally, we greeted him and passed on to the box office. $26 later we had our tickets in hand and charged head first into the fray of the forecourt towards the doors. The nice ticket guy tore our tickets and welcomed us into the lobby of Grauman's. Ornate is a mild word to describe the lobby of the theater. Over the top is a more apt phrasing. There is a lot of red and gold and oriental je ne sais quoi to take in. On either side of the candy counter are alcoves that lead to double doors. In the alcoves displayed in cases are costumes and jewelry from classic films. Bette Davis' dress and Elizabeth Taylor's jewels from Cleopatra. We entered and went down the stairs into the main theater selecting aisle "C". The interior is even more elaborate and ornate. Lush one might say is a good description. A high, no a very high ceiling painted to the teeth covers the auditorium. The screen is covered by a lotus and bamboo drapery that parts when the previews start. The room went dark and "Dark Shadows" started. A fun Hollywood movie in the palace of Hollywood what better way to start the summer.
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