Norma Talmadge and the Footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Did you know that the famous footprint ceremonies at Grauman's Chinese Theatre were accidentally created by silent film star Norma Talmadge? After his success with the Egyptian Theatre, established in 1922, showman Sid Grauman asked real estate developer Charles E. Toberman to secure a lease on a property at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard. Toberman subsequently contacted the architure firm Meyer & Holler, responsible for the Egyptian, to design a «palace type theatre» of Chinese influence. Grauman financed and owned one-third interest in the theatre, while his partners — Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Howard Schenck — owned the remainder. Under the guidance of principal architect Raymond M. Kennedy, the Chinese Theatre was built over a period of 18 months, starting in January 1926. Many of the fittings were imported from China and Chinese artisans were hired to create a number of sculptures that were placed in the theatre's forecourt (these works are now housed inside t...