Little-known Facts about Hollywood's Film Empire

The large letters on Hollywood Hill were initially meant for real estate advertising, not the film capital.

Discovering Hollywood's Hidden Secrets

Hollywood, located in the city of Los Angeles, California, is not just a hub for film studios but also a famous tourist destination in the United States. Behind the glamorous facade of Hollywood lies secrets that few people are aware of.

Escape from New York

Before becoming the global movie capital, Hollywood, in 1900, was just a small village with a few farms and about 500 residents. Known for its abundant orange groves, the area gained fame when David Horsley's Nestor Company established the first film studio here in 1911. Soon after, 15 other studios relocated from the heart of New York to Hollywood.

Later, experts dubbed this the escape from Jeremiah Kennedy's film monopoly. New York was no longer a promised land for independent filmmakers, as Jeremiah sought to acquire studios through disruption and destruction.

The first film made in Hollywood in 1914 was titled 'The Squaw Man,' marking the beginning of the modern Hollywood film industry.

By 1915, the majority of American films were produced in California, a distant 4,500 km from New York.

A few years after the move to Hollywood, independent studios became strong enough to confront Jeremiah Kennedy. Eventually, the American film industry shattered the monopoly dream. Hollywood's population grew steadily from 500 in 1900 to 130,000 in 1923.

Military camps during World War I

From a remote village, Hollywood evolved into the cradle of cinematic dreams. However, not all dreams were rosy. In 1920, the economic crisis had a profound impact on the film industry.

In 1941, along with the attack on Pearl Harbor in the O'ahu island, Hawaii, Hollywood got entangled in the second world war. Specialized film studio vehicles were used to transport soldiers, with stars like Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart... immediately joining the military.

Films praising patriotism dominated the silver screen. Hollywood became a new symbol during the war, swiftly turning into a safe haven for American soldiers on a temporary halt.

After the war, Hollywood returned to its true values and emerged as a fresh icon in the American film industry.

The Origin of the 9 White Letters on Hollywood Hill

Today, the familiar 9 white letters on Hollywood Hill have become a common sight for tourists. But few know that their origin has nothing to do with the film industry.

Initially, these letters didn't spell Hollywood but Hollywoodland. It was, in fact, a colossal real estate sign erected in 1923 by Harry Chandler, the owner of the Los Angeles Times. Each letter stood 15m tall, 9.1m wide, facing south, illuminated by around 4,000 lights at night.

After the advertising campaign concluded, the letters persisted on the hill. In the early 1940s, the Hollywoodland company went bankrupt due to the economic downturn. The Hollywoodland symbol back then deteriorated significantly, naturally becoming the city's property in 1944.

In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce decided to refurbish the letters, removing the 4 letters - Land from behind. The result was the Hollywood sign with 9 white letters, held till now. Hollywood today is not just a neighborhood but also a symbol of an industry, a lifestyle, and the aspirations of many generations.

The Truth About the Stars on the Walk of Fame

The film capital is always bustling with writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers, musicians, and hosts 54 film festivals every year. Theaters open weekly, offering endless concerts, film screenings, and art performances, ensuring visitors never get bored when visiting.

One of the most checked-in spots when in Hollywood is the Walk of Fame. This pathway, dedicated to pedestrians, honors the names of artists from around the world in 5 fields: film, television, music, radio, and theater.

Currently, there are over 2,600 stars on the Walk of Fame. Some individuals are honored up to 5 times on this path, like the cowboy singer Gene Autry in various artistic categories. Some stars have been stolen and had to be replaced.

Travelers can also engrave their names on the Walk of Fame. For 10 USD, you can carve any letter, accompanied by a small Oscar statue. Afterward, you can comfortably take photos for check-in. You can even purchase this service on some online travel websites for 20-25 USD with many attractive options.

Beyond the Walk of Fame, Hollywood offers many other enticing tourist spots such as Universal Hollywood Studios, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Venice Beach.

According to Khương Nha/Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour