Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Aim for the stars
Daniel Bird swings into Hollywood for a hill-top view of the movie capital
Scrambling down the side of the mountain, I felt as if I was movie god Tom Cruise starring in a scene from his latest action thriller. Then, with just a rope holding me in place, I managed to carefully reach out and touch every letter of what is probably the most famous sign in the world.
One of Los Angeles’ most distinguishing attractions, the Hollywood Sign, stands proudly on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills.
As it reaches its 100th anniversary milestone in December this year, it felt all-the-more awesome to be given special permission by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to access it close up, an experience strictly off-limits to the public.
Overlooking the movie industry it has come to symbolise, tourism bosses are, however, fully aware of its star power and there are plans by the Hollywood Sign Trust to spearhead the building of a visitors’ centre, offering fans a similar close-up experience.
Originally reading “Hollywoodland”, the sign was first erected as a billboard for an upscale real estate development above the
Hollywood district and was only intended to stay for 18 months.
That neighbourhood was
Beachwood Canyon – home of the Beachwood Cafe name-checked by
Harry Styles in his 2019 song Falling
– and it serves the best English breakfast tea in LA.
Tinseltown – land of bright lights, success and excess – has it all going on, which makes it a top-of-the-bucket list travel destination.
As a film fan, I loved the idea of immersing
myself in Hollywood glamour and visiting all the famous film sets. With the Oscars celebrating its 95th birthday in March, it was the perfect opportunity to explore the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
The fascinating exhibition Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971, explores the rich history of Black participation in American cinema from its beginnings to just beyond