LOS ANGELES, July 24 -- As the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti attended a ceremony Monday to receive the first copy of the TCL Chinese Theater Commemorative Book.
For the first time ever, the 90-year-old Chinese Theater published a complete, commemorative and official full-color souvenir program, relating both the Theater's glorious past and historical anecdotes of Hollywood.
"This is a new book that comes out, 90 years, it is the history of that iconic Hollywood landmark that is known as Chinese Theater," Mayor Garcetti told Xinhua at the ceremony. "We are very proud of it in the Hollywood industry."
First opened on May 18th, 1927, the original Chinese Theater was built by showman Sid Grauman, inspired by Chinese art and architecture. In 2013, Chinese electronics manufacturer TCL Corporation purchased the facility's naming rights.
The theater is known for its "Forecourt of the Stars" with handprints and footprints left in cement by cinematic legends. About 200 Hollywood stars have left their prints in the Forecourt, including Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Jackie Chan, cast from Star Wars, Harry Potter, and more.
"We have 90 years of incredible history of opening the world's biggest, most exciting films, having the best filmmakers all of the world here, exciting box office, exciting premieres," Alwyn Hight Kushner, TCL Chinese Theater president told Xinhua. "We are very excited to celebrate our 90th birthday this year."
