Some Stars at Grauman's Chinese Theatre

            A milestone of any actor's career is placing their handprints in the forecourt of the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The theatre was opened by Sidney Grauman in 1927 - he's the "Sid" that so many messages are inscribed to.

            I love photos of stars at these events - they always seem so happy and relaxed and it makes for some great candids! So here are some of my favorites from over the years.

Joan Crawford (September 14, 1929)

An early recipient of Grauman's honors, Joan signed her slab with handprints, footprints, and a pun: "May this cement our friendship."



Jean Harlow (September 25 and 29, 1933)

Jean shot to fame in 1930 after her role in the smash hit Hell's Angels, which premiered at Grauman's. Her original slab broke in transport, so she made a second four days later - hence the two dates.



Ginger Rogers (September 5, 1939)

Ginger capped off an incredible decade of films with her Chinese Theatre honor. There's actually video footage of Ginger making her handprints and footprints, and you can watch it here!  


Judy Garland (October 10, 1939)

Judy was only 17 when she made her cement slab in 1939. She's all dressed up for the premiere of her big hit Babes in Arms (that's her co-star Mickey Rooney with her.)



Humphrey Bogart (August 21, 1946)

With the help of his wife Lauren Bacall, Humphrey made his slab and signed it with: "Sid, may you never die till I kill you."



 

Jimmy Stewart (February 13, 1948)

Jimmy made his slab on a Friday the 13th, but to prove he wasn't superstitious, he posed underneath a ladder while holding a black cat. (Gary Cooper, who also had his ceremony on a Friday the 13th, signed the 14th instead.)




Gregory Peck (December 15, 1949)

Gregory and Anne Baxter were honored on the same day in 1949. They co-starred in 1948's Yellow Sky.



Olivia de Havilland (December 9, 1952)

Somehow, Olivia didn't make her slab until nearly eleven years after her sister Joan Fontaine. (I suppose it was to honor all the films Olivia made in the '40s - but still!)




            So what did you think? Did you have a favorite signature or star? And I'd also love to know if anyone's been there in person. I haven't, but I'd love to go at some point. I wonder who I have the same size hands as!


 

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