Lewis the Lion sees the famous Hollywood sign in the distance
From Venice Beach, Lewis the Lion and Helen drove to one of Los Angeles most famous neighbourhoods. A neighbourhood renowned the world over for producing films (or movies as the Americans call them) and iconic film stars: Hollywood.
Hollywood revolves around the film making business
Many actors and actresses over the century have come to Hollywood to seek their fame and fortune and Lewis the Lion came to find out just who some of these people have been, thanks particularly to some special stars which line the pavements called ‘The Hollywood Walk of Fame’ and also a special theatre called ‘The Chinese Theatre,’ on the Hollywood Boulevard. First of all though, Lewis the Lion and Helen popped into see a friend on Sunset Boulevard: Scott.
Lewis the Lion is happy to meet Scott
Scott was another couchsurfer and had offered to host the pair at his house in the Hollywood hills that evening and they were both very excited! Scott had to work that day but kindly drew a map out showing the pair all of the important places to see here in Hollywood, notably on the Hollywood Boulevard.
Lewis the Lion gets ready at the pedestrian crossing on the Hollywood Boulevard
So, off the pair tootled on this hot summer’s day, following the stars from Scott’s office up to the Chinese Theatre. One of the first stars they came across made Lewis the Lion laugh. It was the Beach Boys, the Californian pop group from the 1960s. They were the reason that Helen had had her surfing lesson just the day before! (Check out the previous blog to find out more).
Lewis the Lion and The Beach Boys Star of Fame for music
As the pair walked on, they discovered that the celebrities stars normally fell into four categories: for film, music, radio or another contribution of significant value as shown by the gold disc in the middle of the star. A rare example of ‘another contribution’ was dedicated to the first astronauts to land on the moon as you can see here.
A rare 4-star of Fame for the astronauts of Apollo XI who landed on the moon
Helen especially loved seeing the names of the old fashioned movie stars such as the iconic Marilyn Monroe.
Lewis the Lion with a Hollywood icon’s star: Marilyn Monroe
Whilst Lewis the Lion loved finding the names of some of his favourite celebrities, like the Rugrats and Mickey Mouse.
One of Lewis the Lion’s favourite stars: Mickey Mouse
Lewis the Lion even got a bit star-struck when he nearly bumped into Elmo from Sesame Street: he was not expecting that!
Lewis the Lion gets star-struck when he meets Elmo!
The whole town seemed to be linked to theatre and acting as Lewis spotted a wig
Lewis the Lion spots a wig shop on the Hollywood Boulevard
and costume shop,
Lewis the Lion discovers a costume shop in Hollywood
and there were even movie maps for sale from boxes on the street so you could visit the houses of your favourite Hollywood celebrities.
Movie Star Maps are available on the street
Lewis the Lion would get the chance to visit some of the celebrities houses on another day in the poshest neighbourhood in town, Beverly Hills but he will tell you more about that in a future blog.
For now, he was happy to find the star belonging to one of his favourite Hollywood directors, Steven Spielberg who had directed such movies as E.T., Jaws, Jurassic Park and most recently The Adventures of Tin Tin.
Lewis the Lion and Helen see a famous director’s Star: Steven Spielberg
He was almost outside the famous Chinese Theatre now which had another interesting spin at immortalising the famous of Hollywood: with the actors’ handprints, footprints and signatures.
Lewis the Lion at the entrance to the Chinese Theatre
It is here that you would often see the Hollywood glitterati entering up the red carpet to see the debut of their films.
Helen and Lewis the Lion have their photo taken outside the Chinese Theatre
Here are some of Lewis the Lion’s favourite collection of imprints:
Donald Duck’s footprints outside the Chinese Theatre
Michael Jackson’s children made this tribute
The footprints, handprints and signatures of the Harry Potter cast
After enjoying recognising all of the famous names through the ages, Lewis the Lion headed back to cool off in their air-conditioned car but not before seeing the circular Capitol Records building which had made many music stars over the years by assigning them to their music label, including Robbie Williams.
Hollywood is also home to the famous Capitol Records
Back in their hire car, the pair headed for the poshest road in Los Angeles, Rodeo Drive with all of its designer shops.
The poshest street in L.A.: Rodeo Drive
Helen didn’t dare stop in case she felt tempted to buy something: not a good idea for a backpacker on a budget!
Lewis the Lion checks out the designer shops on Rodeo Drive
She joked on that she really didn’t mind not stopping to go to the Rolex store, Gucci, Prada, Chanel or Tiffany’s as one day she would come back with her ‘millionaire husband!’ Lewis the Lion laughed his hearty laugh at his friend’s ever optimistic outlook on life!
From there, the pair then made their way to Scott’s house which was in a fabulous location up in the Hollywood Hills. Lewis the Lion felt right at home there as soon as he arrived. Can you see why?
Lewis the Lion is happy about Scott’s welcoming front door!
Scott was the perfect couchsurfing host preparing a barbecue for Lewis the Lion from his balcony which gave on to a fabulous view over Los Angeles in the distance.
A fabulous view looking onto Los Angeles
Furthermore, the next morning before Lewis the Lion jetted off to their next amazing destination, Las Vegas, Scott took them to a very famous sign which was literally just around the corner from his house on Mount Lee, the tallest peak in Los Angeles. The iconic Hollywood sign.
The Hollywood sign
Lewis the Lion was interested to learn that this sign was originally meant to be just a temporary sign reading ‘Hollywoodland,’ advertising a new building development in the area but it is now a culturally protected landmark, symbolising the centre of American cinema.
Lewis the Lion and the famous Hollywood sign
Yet again, thanks to Scott’s generosity, Lewis the Lion had spent another fantastic day in California but he was now off to the State of Nevada, the desert state to visit a unique city called Las Vegas.
Lewis the Lion was a bit star-struck when he bumped into Elmo unexpectedly. If you were visiting Hollywood, which famous person would you most like to bump into and why? What makes them so special?
