Warner Bros. has announced plans for a $100 million cable car to take tourists from its studio lot to the iconic Hollywood sign, an area increasingly choked by tourist traffic.
Image: Getty Images/D.McNew
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The company, one of Tinseltown's "Big Six" film distributors, told city officials on Monday it would put up the entire funding for the "Hollywood Skyway." The six-minute ride would extend more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from Warner's base in Burbank up Mount Lee to a visitor center near the sign, with pathways to a viewing area, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The iconic studio behind "Casablanca" and "Gone with the Wind" didn't respond to a request for comment but circulated a statement saying the project would "reduce street congestion, improve safety, and ease neighborhood frustrations."
Hollywood's most famous studios in BurbankImage: Imago/ZUMA Press
"Given our close proximity to the north side of the Hollywood sign, we believe we offer a solution that has the least impact on the environment -- protecting and preserving (nearby) Griffith Park -- and the surrounding residential neighborhoods," the company added.
Mount Lee with the famous sign from 1923Image: AP
The area is dotted with housing on all sides and the "aerial tramway" would spare homeowners the annoyance of hikers and traffic coming past their front doors, says Warner. Locals say ride-hailing services like Uber, combined with ever more sophisticated navigation apps, have made it much easier in recent years to get close to the sign in a car, exacerbating the problem.
The idea has been floated for years but has always hit stumbling blocks. It was resurrected in 2017 by Mayor Eric Garcetti, with a proposal involving the nearby Universal Studios. The project is expected to take about five years to complete, including the approvals process, if it is approved.
2017 the famed Hollywood sign could be seen altered to read "HOLLYWeeD"Image: picture-alliance/dpa/LA Daily News/ZUMA Wire/G. Blevins
The landmark was erected in 1923 as "Hollywoodland" to advertise a local real estate development. It has undergone a number of transformations over the years, including in 1987, when pranksters changed it to "Holywood" to mark the visit of Pope John Paul II. Los Angeles police arrested a local artist suspected of a New Year's Day 2017 prank in which he altered the letters to read "Hollyweed."
is/ks (AFP, dpa)
The Hollywood dream factory has produced many Oscar winning movies. Often the films feature the city and its landmarks. Here are L.A. locations that every movie buff should visit:
Movie fan travel tips for Los Angeles
The Hollywood dream factory has produced many Oscar winning movies. Often the films feature the city and its landmarks. Here are L.A. locations that every movie buff should visit:
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/R. Saxon
The Dolby Theatre, the Oscars venue
The first Academy Oscars were held in 1929 at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel. In the following decades the ceremony took place at eight other venues until in 2002 the Oscars found its permanent home at the Dolby Theatre, which was designed specifically to host the awards ceremony. Fans who won't be able to gain a place at the red carpet can enjoy the many other movie hot spots in the city.
Image: picture-alliance/Schickert
Universal Studios
The original DeLorean time machine from "Back to the Future," stunt shows and thrilling rides attract 8 million visitors annually to Hollywood’s oldest movie studio. It was founded in 1912 by German immigrant Carl Laemmle. Universal has produced Oscar winning movies like "Schindler’s List" but also TV series like "Desperate Housewives." Competitor Warner Studios also offers studio tours.
Image: picture-alliance/Klaus Nowottnick
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame was created in 1960. Not just actors and musicians have stars in the sidewalk, but also cartoon figures like Minnie Mouse, or former reality TV showman and current US President Donald Trump. On average one to two stars are awarded every month, though the selection can be contentious. Most recently, 90-year-old Italian screen legend Gina Lollobrigida unveiled the 2,628th star.
Image: picture-alliance/Everett Collection/M. Germana
TCL Chinese Theater
Anyone strolling along Hollywood Boulevard will invariably pass the TCL Chinese Theater. Dating from 1927, it's hosted the premiers of movie classics like "King Kong" (1933) and "Star Wars" (1977). The entrance area featuring cement imprints of hands and feet as well as autographs of film stars — from double Oscar winner Jane Fonda (picture) to "Star Wars" android R2D2 — is a tourist attraction.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/J. Strauss
Hollywood Museum and 'The Silence of the Lambs'
To date only one horror movie has ever won an Oscar for Best Film: namely in 1992 the "Silence of the Lambs" with Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. Fans of the dark film genre can take a look at Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell at the Hollywood Museum on Hollywood Boulevard. On four floors movie fans can find original props like Rocky’s boxing gloves or original costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/M.N. Eroglu
Bradbury Building and 'The Artist'
The Bradbury Building was constructed in 1893. The office building has served as an opera stage and a movie location. The distinctive atrium with its staircases is where the two main characters of French silent movie and surprise 2012 best film winner "The Artist" meet for the first time. The Bradbury building also served as the iconic post-apocalyptic backdrop for the original "Blade Runner."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Nelson
Union Station and 'Blade Runner'
In 1982 Ridley Scott filmed the science fiction drama "Blade Runner." In the movie the historical Union Station in Los Angeles was transformed into a futuristic police station. The film was Oscar nominated for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Best Visual Effects. Inaugurated in 1939 the Union Station today serves as the main railway station in downtown Los Angeles.
Image: picture-alliance/Frank Duenzl
Rodeo Drive and 'Pretty Woman'
Exclusive shops and expensive cars are what define Rodeo Drive. The shopping street in Beverley Hills, not even half a mile long, is where every famous fashion house has an outlet. Rodeo Drive served as the glamorous shopping backdrop in the 1990 movie "Pretty Woman." The romantic comedy made Julia Roberts world famous.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Buck
Griffith Observatory and 'Rebel Without a Cause'
The observatory, dating from 1935, is a popular excursion location on Mount Hollywood. The white domed building has featured in countless film productions. The bust of actor James Dean (right) commemorates the 1955 classic movie "Rebel Without a Cause," in which the final showdown ends in a fatal shooting at the observatory. It was Dean's penultimate movie before his death in a car crash.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/D. Dovarganes
Griffith Park and 'La La Land'
Visitors flock to Griffith Park in the Hollywood Hills, even at night as it offers fabulous views of the city lights. A six-minute dance sequence for 2017 Oscar-winning blockbuster "La La Land" was filmed on picturesque Mt. Hollywood Drive. Griffith Park is the biggest municipal park in L.A., with horse and hiking tracks, some leading to the famous Hollywood sign atop Mount Lee.