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While a lot is said about the moguls, the actors, the filmmakers and the actual films...we feel the need to recognize the theater owners, too. And who better to discuss than the legendary Sid Grauman?
1879 - 1950
IMDb (he wasn't an actor, but sometimes made cameo appearances as himself): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336138/
Sidney Grauman, as he was named at birth in 1879, was born in Indiana to Jewish parents. As a boy, Sid and his father David moved to Yukon for the Gold Rush - and it would have a huge effect on his future. Sid worked as a paperboy, and the local storekeeper bought a newspaper from him for a whopping $50! The storekeeper would then read the newspaper out loud - and charged the miners "admission". Sort of a primitive "audiobook"! It apparently made a good profit! Sid learned quickly that people will pay good money for entertainment...and he along with his father began an entertainment business that would make them fairly wealthy! Although Mr. Grauman didn't hit gold in the Yukon as a prospector, he and his son Sid had a healthy business arranging new entertainment for the local miners, such as boxing matches. It was also there in the Yukon that Sid saw his first motion picture...
Well, after a while, Sid and his entire family settled in San Fransisco in 1900, and the father-son duo decided to open a theater. At first it was vaudeville shows only, but before long they added film presentations as well. Then they opened a second theater, and then a touring vaudeville company. But you know what they say...what goes up, must come down. Sid's father David began to lose money from trying to expand too fast. He had no choice but to take an offer from someone to buy one of their theaters. Then the rent doubled on their other theater, forcing them out. Ironically, the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906 happened shortly after, destroying both buildings! Sid managed to salvage one of the projectors from the theater ruins, and borrowed a tent from a local minister. Then, Sid got some old pews from a church that had been destroyed in the earthquake - and put it all together. BAM! Makeshift theater! Sid and David hung a sign outside of their "theater" that read:
"Nothing to fall on you but canvas if there is another quake."
The City of San Fransisco greatly appreciated the Grauman's efforts to keep their city's morale up, and gave them a commendation! Their tent-theater continued operations for 2 years, until David was able to open a "proper" theater. Once again, the father-son duo succeeded in opening not just one, but multiple theaters in Northern California. Many actors who would become silent film stars (like Charlie Chaplin) were vaudeville performers at Sid's theaters before they got into motion pictures! These connections would prove vital in his future. But the Graumans weren't done! No, they decided to expand to Southern California, so they relocated to Los Angeles (where else??) and began their theater empire.
The Million Dollar Theatre, their first LA venture (above) in the early days, and (below) in the 21st century
Sid and his father approached Adolph Zukor, who would later become one of the founders of Paramount Pictures. Adolph agreed to purchase the Grauman's theaters in Northern California and help them build new movie theaters (movie palaces would be a better term!) in the Los Angeles area. By 1918, the Graumans had opened one theater in Los Angeles (The Million Dollar Theatre) with another one in the works. Sadly, David passed away suddenly in 1921, and never got to see the second theater open in 1922 (the still-famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre). Sid persevered on his own, and worked on a new theater (the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre) which opened in 1927. His partners in the Chinese Theatre were the legendary Mary Pickford and her husband Douglas Fairbanks. Today, it's known as TCL Chinese Theatre. This one is best known for the hand/footprints of celebrities in the cement out in front!
The beautiful Grauman's Egyptian Theatre (above) in 1924, as it is today (below).
Sid was quite fond of playing elaborate pranks on the moguls and celebrities of his time (many of whom were his good friends). He is said to have spent hours planning his pranks. One of his unfortunate targets was Jesse L. Lasky! Sid asked Jesse to give a speech on the importance of motion pictures to a group of exhibitors. So, Jesse prepared and rehearsed a rousing speech to end all rousing speeches. But when he stepped onstage...there was no applause. Just cold silence. But Sid, standing in the wings, motioned for Jesse to speak anyway. So Jesse began, and after speaking for several minutes...not a peep from the audience. He turned to the wings, totally confused and embarrassed - and Sid again motioned for him to continue. This went on until Jesse finished his speech, expecting at least a little polite applause at the end...but still NOTHING! Then the theater lights were turned on....and Jesse saw that his "audience" was nothing more than a crowd of WAX DUMMIES. Oh, Sid...
Grauman's Chinese Theatre (above) when it first opened in 1927, and (below) in the 21st century, as grand as ever!
Getting the first footprints at the Chinese Theatre from Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks (1927). There's some debate about how Sid got the idea to do this - but we're so glad he did!
Sid's own prints, still on display in front of the Chinese
Sid's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Sid was known to be a good friend and confidant to many silent film stars, and they often came to him when they needed support. He also had a loud and flamboyant sense of style, often wearing large tilted hats and his hair...shall we say..."untamed"? Today we'd probably call this a variation of the "Jewfro". A closeted gay man, he never married but devoted his time to taking good care of his mother, Rosa. Her prints were the only non-celeb prints to be displayed at the Chinese Theatre. What an honor! In 1950, Sid suffered a coronary occlusion and passed away at age 70. Although he had no descendants, his legacy is no less important, and we are grateful for his lasting contribution to Hollywood's history! The next time you find your hat is crooked...maybe leave it that way in honor of Sid Grauman, the movie palace magnate!
Also - we found this awesome t-shirt featuring the old logo of Grauman's Chinese Theatre! The logo can be put on other items, too! Check out everything here: Redbubble.com
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