HOLLYWOOD  BOULEVARD   
THE STREET OF STARS

Hi my dear friends, I'm here again and today we are going to look at Hollywood Boulevard.  Millions of tourists visit every year this famous avenue and its Walk of Fame.  More than 2,000 stars can be seen on the floor which honour great Hollywood artists.


Hola mis queridos amigos, aquí estoy otra vez y hoy vamos a mirar a Hollywood Boulevard.  Millones de turistas visitan cada año esta famosa avenida y su Paseo de la Fama.  Más de 2.000 estrellas se pueden ver en el suelo que honran a grandes artistas de Hollywood.

(INFO from Speak up magazine)

WHY ARE WE HERE?
What is the Walk of Fame?  Look down at the sidewalk  (acera) of Hollywood Boulevard.  You'll see five-pointed stars.  There are over 2,400 of these stars and they run for 2 kilometres along the avenue.
They commemorate the lives and achievements (logros)  of Hollywood's greatest celebrities.

BIG NAMES

The first stars were set in place on February 8th, 1960.  They celebrated actors like Joanne Woodward, Burt Lancaster and Ronald Colman.

Today,  there are celebrities from film, television, radio, music and the theatre.

There are stars for everyone, from Michael Jackson and John Lennon to Walt Disney and Charlie Chaplin . Muhammad Ali has a star but it is set into a wall because he didn't  want anyone to walk on him!!

DECLINE

Hollywood Boulevard wasn't so famous in the 1970s and almost lost its magic.  The stars moved out to Beverly Hills.

The avenue soon had a reputation for crime and violence.  However, today the zone is safe again. There is an enormous   shopping centre "Hollywood and Highland" and the adjacent Kodak Theatre.

The Kodak Theatre is now the venue of the Oscar Awards ceremony and visitors can walk up the "Awards Walk" into the theatre and imagine they are stars on the famous red carpet!

GRAUMAN'S CHINESE THEATRE

Next door there is Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  This is the most famous movie theatre in the world.

A huge dragon and two lion-dogs guard the entrance.  Its forecourt (patio delantero) is famous for the hand and foot imprints set into the cement.

LAS PALMAS HOTEL

Visitors must also visit Las Palmas Hotel.   Julia Roberts was Richard's Gere guest here in the film PRETTY WOMAN.

The Capitol Records Building is world-famous.  It was the world's first circular office building.

And don't miss the Hollywood Entertainment Museum.  Exhibits include the bridge of STAR TREK'S USS Enterprise and the bar from CHEERS.

HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD TOURS

A good way to see Hollywood Boulevard is on Starline's Hollywood Trolleybus Tour.

Are you interested in film-making?  Then visit Los Angeles Permit Office and get the day's Shoot Sheet  (lista de rodajes).  This is a list of films currently on location in Los Angeles.

WALK OF FAME HISTORY

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president EM Stuart had the original idea for the Walk of Fame in 1953.

The stars included a caricature of the celebrities but that was too expensive.

A committee chose the first stars to be commemorated.  They chose eight stars, including Charlie Chaplin.

Today, to nominate a star for the Walk of Fame costs $30,000!

You need a sponsor, of course!


**Have you ever been to Hollywood Boulevard?

**¿Habeís estado alguna vez en Hollywood Boulevard?

**Please, tell me your experience and the things you liked most.

**Por favor, contadme vuestra experiencia y las cosas que más os gustaron.


HAVE A NICE DAY!!!