"Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" - Grauman's Chinese

The pages about theatre locations used in "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood":
| Cinerama Dome - June 13, 2018 |  Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian - July 13 to July 23 | Grauman's Chinese - July 26 | Excelsior High School - September | Bruin and Fox Westwood Village - October 14 - 15 | Pantages and Vine - October 22 | Van Nuys Drive-In - October 24 | Earl Carroll Theatre - November 2 |

For shots of Grauman's Chinese as it was in 1969 the production went downtown to 3rd & Spring where the crew recreated the parking lot that used to be east of the Chinese. In 1979 the Mann Chinese Twin was built east of the vintage theatre. Now part of the Hollywood and Highland mall is on the property. The shoot was July 26, 2018. 

Signage is up and the fence that had been around the lot was removed. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

A wider view with a bit of City Hall on the left. Note that the broad stripes of the current style crosswalk have been painted out so it looks more like 1969. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

A closer look at the poster. The film was a February 1969 release -- but it never played the Chinese. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

The sign on the corner. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018  

A closer look at the neon. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

The 3rd St. side of the lot. "Convenient to Grauman's Chinese Theatre - Hollywood Boulevard."  At the time of the photo the guys were putting 60s vintage posters on that electrical box.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

An alley view. Note the fake "Chinese Theatre Entrance." Until the Chinese Twin was built in 1979 the doorway from the parking lot got you right into the forecourt. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

The set at dusk with a fleet of vintage cars added. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

Grauman's Chinese in the film:

The east side of the "Chinese" as it appears in the film. We just get a quick shot of the billboard on the side of the building then a view skyward for a look at the parking sign. 

The theatre's pagoda and spires were added in post. We don't go in for a movie. 

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about Grauman's Chinese for a history and many photos. It opened in 1927, Sid Grauman's second theatre in Hollywood.

The "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" pages:  
| back to top - "Grauman's Chinese" | Cinerama Dome | Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian | Excelsior High School | Bruin and Fox Westwood Village | Pantages and Vine | Van Nuys Drive-In | Earl Carroll Theatre |