Saving Hollywood Sign of the Times

Posted on 01. Oct, 2008 by Administrator in Lifestyle

I’ve heard many references to the word “Hollywood” come out in four letters as opposed to nine. Sometimes it has to do with a lost role, or being burned by an agent or publicist. Yet there is no denying that good or bad, Hollywood is part of our vocabulary. The Hollywood sign, which can be seen from virtually every vantage point in Los Angeles proper, truly typifies all that is Tinseltown. Now the sign celebrates its 30 years of refurbishment brought to you by none other than Hugh Hefner.

A view from the Hollywoodland development, circa 1923

Back in 1923, Harry Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, teamed up with movie director Mack Sennett (aka “The King of Comedy”) who at that time was also in the business of land development. Chandler took the name of the tiny municipality that had become a hub for the industry to advertise his upscale real estate development. Standing 50 feet tall with 4,000 light bulbs, spaced eight inches apart, the “Hollywoodland” sign was hard to ignore, particularly at night when it would flash first “Holly” then “wood” and finally “land”. This is what people saw when they drove into town – the epitome of hopes and dreams. That all changed, nine years later with Peg Entwistle.

Like many a Hollywood starlet, Peggy Entwistle came to Hollywood with hopes of becoming a star. While she managed to get bit parts in various films, including Thirteen Women with Irene Dunne, the young beauty found herself dropped by RKO in 1932. So she did the most dramatic thing she could think of: She made her way up the side of the mountain to the Hollywood sign and climbed up the maintenance ladder, which led to the top of the letter “H”, approximately fifty feet in height. Performing a perfect swan dive, the 24-year-old ingénue fell to her death. The next day, a letter arrived from the Beverly Hills Playhouse – she had been offered the lead in a new play – ironically about a girl who commits suicide.

Just like a movie that has a bad opening weekend, the sign now faced its own bad rap. Instead of hopes and aspirations, it became representative of the land of broken dreams. It fell into decay; even the “H” fell over. That’s when the Hollywood Chamber stepped in – they repaired the “Hollywood” portion but 86’d the “land” part, once and for all.

Alice Cooper (second from right) at the press conference prior to the auction, 1978.

194 tons of concrete, enamel and steel later, the sign was restored back to its original glory.

Hugh Hefner makes his case, 1978

For many the Hollywood sign can be a symbol of success; that you have indeed arrived. For others it may be the last thing they see in their rear view mirror as they head out of town for good. Either way, at 84, the Hollywood sign is emblazoned across the world as an icon, just as recognizable to the American dream as the Statue of Liberty. It represents hope, success, and sometimes failure. Regardless, it has stood the test of time, and has lasted longer than just about anyone in Hollywood – making that a
testament in itself.

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