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Places Capitol Records Building of interest Cahuenga Pass Ancient gateway to Hollywood centuries ago by Native Americans. Called “Cahuenga” or “Little Hills,” it was traveled by Spanish explorer Don Gas- par de Portola and 80 years later by Kit Carson. In 1886, Kansas prohibitionist Harvey Wilcox and his wife, Daeida, bought 120 acres of the Cahuenga Valley and named their home “Hollywood.” Capitol Records 1750 N. Vine St., (323) 462-6252. World’s first cir- cular office building and one of Hollywood’s land- marks. Built in 1956, the light on its rooftop spire flashes “H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D” in Morse code. Gold al- bums of its many artists displayed in lobby. John Lennon and other Capitol artists’ stars on sidewalk. www.capitolrecords.com Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Mary Pickford Center 1313 N. Vine St., (310) 247-3000. Built in 1949, first Hollywood studio designed for television show production. Early TV variety, quiz shows and sitcoms including “Queen for A Day” and “I Love Lucy” were broadcast from here. In addition to the 286-seat Lin- wood Dunn Theater, the building houses several Acad- emy departments, including the offices and collections of the Academy Film Archive. www.oscars.org - Alto Nido Apartments 1851 N. Ivar Ave. William Holden’s apartment in the ‘50s film noir classic “Sunset Boulevard” in which he co-starred with Gloria Swanson. American Film Institute 2021 N. Western Ave., (323) 856-7600. Historic Im- maculate Heart College’s 1906 campus buildings now house famed institute and one of the best film and video libraries in the world. www.afi.com (See FILM) American Society of Cinematographers 1782 N. Orange Dr., (323) 969-4333. Built in 1903, this classic Mission Revival residence has been lovingly cared for by the Society since 1936. www.theasc.com Autry National Center/ Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Way, (323) 667-2000. Founded by Gene Autry, “The Singing Cowboy,” out- standing state-of-the-art museum is a tribute to the spirit that settled the American West. www.theautry.org (See VISUAL ARTS, FAMILY, MUSIC) Avalon Hollywood (formerly The Palace) 1735 N. Vine St., (323) 467-4571. Opened in 1927 as the Hollywood Playhouse, it was the El Capitan in the 40s and hosted the famed Ken Murray’s “Black- outs” and “Hollywood Palace” TV show in the 50s. www.avalonhollywood.com. (See MUSIC). Bronson Caves Brush Canyon (at the top of Canyon Drive). Used as backdrops for countless movies and TV shows such as “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza,” the jungle island in the original “King Kong,” Gene Autry’s first serial, “The Phantom Empire,” a distant planet in “Star Trek: The Movie,” and the entrance to Batman’s bat-cave in TV’s “Batman” and the first “Batman” movie. 10 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / SUMMER 2011 Early postcard shows Hollywood Blvd in the 1930’s. Charlie Chaplin Studios (Jim Henson Company) 1416 N. La Brea Ave., (323) 802-1500. Built in 1918 to resemble a row of English country homes, Chaplin made many of his films here including “Modern Times” and “City Lights.” Formerly A&M Records, the studio was purchased by Jim Henson Productions, who hon- ored Chaplin with a statue of Kermit the Frog dressed like the Little Tramp. Tours are available through Adven- tures by Disney; Reservation by phone (877) 728- 7282 or online www.adventuresbydisney.com. Chase Bank 1500 N. Vine St., (323) 466-1121. Unusual mo- saics, murals and stained glass created by noted California artist Millard Sheets depict Hollywood personalities. Chateau Marmont 8221 Sunset Blvd., (323) 656-1010. Since 1929, castle-like hotel has been popular with stars for its pri- vacy. From secret romances to untimely deaths, guests include Errol Flynn, Bob Dylan, Paul Newman, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Jim Morrison, Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, and John Belushi who died there. www.chateaumarmont.com Celebrity Centre International/Manor Hotel 5930 Franklin Ave., (323) 960-3100. The former was Hollywood’s first residential hotel Chateau Ely- see. Guests included Clark Gable, Mary Pickford, Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Ginger Rogers. CBS Television City 7800 Beverly Blvd. Soap operas, game shows, sit- coms and news broadcasts. Carol Burnett and other legendary variety shows originate here. (See TV TICKETS) Cinerama Dome 6360 Sunset Blvd., (323) 464-4226. Restored as part of the Arclight Hollywood movie-going expe- rience, the unique geodesic-shaped theatre de- signed by Buckminster Fuller was built in 1963. www.arclightcinemas.com (See FILM) Columbia Square 6121 Sunset Blvd. Site of planned development that will include a high rise tower and preserve the his- toric broadcasting headquarters for many early radio and TV shows. Crossroads of the World 6671 Sunset Blvd., (323) 463-5611. Historical landmark built as “the world’s first modern shop- ping center” in 1936, an architectural potpourri with Streamline Moderne, pseudo Spanish, Tudor, Moorish and French Provencial styles. Now an office complex, it is listed on National Regis- ter of Historic Places. Used for scenes in “L.A. Confidential” and “Inde- cent Proposal.” De Longpre Park 6500 De Longpre Ave. A lovely old “pocket” park in neighborhood one block south of Sun- set Blvd. Jerry Fuller, a young songwriter, is said to have penned “Travelin’ Man,” a Rick Nelson hit, on a bench in the park. Features sculptures honoring Rudolph Valentino. Eastman Kodak Company 1017 N. Las Palmas Ave., (323) 464-6131. Historic offices for its Motion Picture Film Division. Adjacent new addition houses digital technology center and film preservation vaults. Larry Edmunds Book Store 6644 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 463-3273. Be- lieved to have the largest collection of theatre- and-film-related books in Los Angeles, offers photographs, posters and other memorabilia from the movies. Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12-5pm. Egyptian Theatre 6712 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 461-2020. Built in 1922 by impresario Sid Grauman. Egyptian décor inspired by 1920’s King Tut craze com- plete with hieroglyphic murals. Site of Holly- wood’s first movie premiere, “Robin Hood” with Douglas Fairbanks. Cecil B. DeMille premiered “The Ten Commandments” here in 1923. Home of American Cinematheque. Tours one Sat per month. Visit www.egyptiantheatre.com for further information. (See FILM) Places continues on page 12