Hollywood Sign: Symbol of cinema in Los Angeles

The Hollywood Sign, perched upon Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains, is not just a symbol but a narrative of cinematic history. Each of its 13 letters, spanning 30 feet wide and approximately 43 feet tall, are constructed from metal squares and interconnected with pipes and wires.

It stands as a testament to the evolution of Hollywood, initially erected for a mere 18 months, yet enduring for over eight decades and continuing to gain strength.

From advertising to cultural symbol

Transitioning from a mere advertisement to a cultural icon, Hollywood's rise to global fame was catalyzed by the unveiling of the "Hollywood" sign in 1923, a project spearheaded by Harry Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times. The sign, originally intended to promote an upscale housing development, has sparked numerous debates regarding its inception.

However, historical newspaper analysis, like an advertisement for Hollywoodland in the Los Angeles Times from June 10, 1923, clarifies that the construction began in late March of that year, employing 200 workers by June, debunking the misconception that the sign was established in 1924.

Epic journeys to the Hollywood Sign

A Los Angeles Times article published shortly after the sign's installation recounts an experimental trip by actor Harry Neville to test if a car could traverse the unpaved road to the sign and whether its brakes would withstand the steep descent. The spectacle drew a motley crowd of onlookers, including climbers and workers, who watched with bated breath.

Debates have swirled around whether the sign initially featured lights. Historical photographs from Bruce Torrence's Hollywood collection, taken at the time the sign was erected, show workers assembling the sign with the original lights in place.

The struggle to preserve Hollywood's emblem

Surpassing its intended lifespan of 18 months, the sign has withstood the test of time, exceeding all expectations. Yet by 1973, it had fallen into disrepair. The citizens of Hollywood rallied for the preservation of this emblem, and in 1973, the sign was declared a cultural and historical landmark of Los Angeles.

A restoration effort in 1978, supported by local residents and celebrities, restored the sign to its former glory.

Fascinating Facts About the Hollywood Sign

• When the sign was first installed, the lights would illuminate in four stages: "Holly," then "Wood," followed by "Land," and finally the entire word.
• In 1932, aspiring actress Peg Entwistle, believing her career to be a failure, ended her life by jumping from the letter "H". She was only 24 years old.
• During the Great Depression, the original developer went bankrupt, and the Los Angeles Park Commission decided to remove the sign. However, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce opted to preserve it, removing only the last four letters.
• In 1940, the sign's caretaker, while intoxicated, lost control of his vehicle and drove off a cliff, destroying the letter "H" and his car, though he himself was unharmed.
• In 1976, a group of Cal State Northridge students, led by Danny Finegood, altered the sign to read "HOLLYWeeD" in celebration of a state law decriminalizing marijuana.
• In 1978, termites infested the wood of one of the "O" letters, causing it to fall down the hill. That same year, arsonists damaged one of the "L" letters.
• In 1999, Panasonic installed a modern security system featuring barbed wire, infrared beams, 24-hour monitoring, motion sensors, alarm signals, and helicopter patrols.

These facts bring to life the Hollywood Sign's dramatic and sometimes humorous history, highlighting its enduring connection not just to the film industry but also to public life.