hollywoodland

is how the sign originally was built in the early 1920s, it was covered in lightbulbs. it was only intended to remain on the hills for a few months, and it wasn't an homage the glamorous town and lifestyle- it was actually a real estate advertisment for a housing area below the sign. the 'land' portion of the sign, as well as the lights, were removed in the late 1940s. the sign has be rennovated numerous times since... sometimes knowing things makes the magic disappear. i googled the sign because i'd just seen it in a film and was curious.... now i'm no longer curious, and a little less impressed...
the movie i went to see was "the artist" it's a love letter to the movies, a tale of a famous silent film actor not adjusting well at all to the introduction of talkies. i went alone- as i figured i would. and was ashamed for the 4 seconds of time when i wondered if i could be entertained by a silent film for an hour and a half.... of course i was. i was silly to think otherwise. and surprisingly, there were probably twenty or so people in the theatre as well, i was not expecting that at all. especially on a tuesday afternoon.
i love the glamour, the cars, the makeup and clothing, the music- all of these gorgeous things... walking into that theatre, sitting down in absolute darkness aside from the glow of the movie screen, i felt like i had stepped out of these crazy times and settled into the past. i was a bit saddened to remember at the end that i was the girl in the hoodie and jeans, walking into the overcast afternoon, instead of being that glamour doll on the arm of the dapper guy strolling down a sunny sidewalk.
no vintage clothing store, restored automobile or classic makeover would help for long. i haven't the patience or dedication. and this is an entirely different world now. but the thought is lovely....