Hollywood, USA (1960s?)

ladies and gentlemen Mr McDonald KY Hollywood is not a place it's a state of mind all over the world the word Hollywood denotes the American movie industry it's a magic word that carries with it visions of Glamour excitement and a fabulous way of life Hollywood's famous symbols have become legendary her Studios have grown from Cracker boxes to sprawling giant techniques have changed progress has been made but from the days of the silence to sound to cinemascope the commodity has remained constant Hollywood has always been in the business of selling entertainment with all due respect to producers directors writers and that vast Army of skilled technicians movie land's best salesmen have been the Stars fans always have and will continue to insist on glamorous personalities to identify with and to idolize in the 65 years since Thomas cison gave us moving pictures the stars have been most responsible for transforming his invention into an art and an industry they have long deserved a Hall of Fame now at last they have one just a few high-speed miles out of Hollywood is a new building and there's nothing like it on the face of the Earth our destination is only a few minutes from Disneyland and it's so close to nots Berry Farm Buster Keaton could hit it with a cream pie movie land and wax museum a shrine to the great stars of the motion picture industry past and present it's a tribute to the world famous performers who have made people everywhere laugh and cry and wonder at the magic of the film capital of the world Hollywood the dedication plaque says dedicated May 4th 1962 to the artists of the entertainment industry who through their talents and efforts have contributed so much to the enjoyment and understanding of the people of the world it's signed Mary pford the entrance to Movie Land museum can be compared to a time machine any person crossing the threshold can experience the highlights and thrills of visiting half a century of movie sound stages on their busiest days inside are living light wies in wax of the greatest entertainers of our time the Immortals of the Silver Screen captured forever in the exact wardrobe and authentic movie sets of their most outstanding roles David War Griffith changed the Nickelodeon flickers into pictures of significance and influence he produced and directed such early masterpieces as Birth of a Nation and intolerance he and his cameraman Billy biter were the first to use the device of the closeup and the Fade Out The Fabulous marks Brothers grouo Chico and Harpo this is a scene from their 1930 hit animal crackers these wonderful Figures were created by The Talented hands of Master Craftsman from the four corners of the earth Hong Kong Hollywood Spain Mexico and France the scene in the bomb church is one of the most dramatic moments in the picture two women starring Sophia luren and Elanor Brown this dress was donated personally by Miss lorenda movie land it's the actual dress she wore in the picture her sensitive performance won of the Academy Award for the best actress of 1961 in this Victorio Desa production while Sophia luren was here for the Academy Awards she came to Movie Land Wax Museum and unveiled her set in person [Music] in 1934 Mna ly and William Powell made the original Thin Man a grand mixture of sophistication mirth and murder the picture was a hit so they made a whole series of Thin Man movies any of their fans could tell you even today their little dog's name was AA on a recent visit to Movie Land wax museum Miss ly was emotionally moved on seeing being her beloved canine coworker something in the air of the early 30s made audiences eager to accept and believe a cult and Supernatural Horrors Bella legosi became a star in Dracula and the success of this 1931 Chiller sent all the studios on a wild search through Edgar alen Poe Robert Lewis Stevenson and other classic horror Tales the victim here is Helen Chandler the first of many young lovelies to fall pray to fish monsters in the rash of horror films that were to follow in 1932 MGM assembled three baramor Lionel Ethel and John for Rasputin and the empress it was lavish exciting and reasonably factual in the account of Rasputin's assassination and the downfall of the Russian imperial family even though the events depicted were true the Widow of one of Rasputin's assassins won a lawsuit in British courts she received an immense settlement and the film was withdrawn from [Music] circulation one of the most Sultry Sirens of the 30s was the one and only Jean harlo this is a scene from the motion picture version of the Broadway success dinner at 8 years of research and more than a million and a half dollars were spent on the figures sets wardrobe and accessories to make this Museum possible no detail was too trivial even this Liberty magazine and the Literary Digest Magazine are the correct issue nothing has been overlooked to bring your memories to life here are two famous movie starles who both started on the Broadway stage their outstanding performances and pictures earned an Academy Award for each of them Katherine heurn received hers in 1932 for morning glory and Humphrey Bogart won his Oscar in 1951 for his fine performance in this picture the African queen movie land wax museum has nearly 100 of the screen's greatest stars in their most unforgettable roles and more are being added all the time [Music] of all the Western Stars whoever galloped across the screen William esart is probably the most important he brought a realism and rugged poetry to the horse Opera which by the time he arrived on the scene was dying dying in its own cliches his westerns had a documentary like Flavor unequal even today when Bill Hart rode out Tom Mix came Galloping on the scene with energy escapism and most of all Showmanship he had a popularity and box office value equal by no other star during the 20s his pictures literally made Fox Studios Roy Rogers is the current King of the cowboys he's carrying on in the tradition of Ken Maynard Buck Jones Jean ay Hoot Gibson and all the other Knights of the saddle who've ridden on the scene and off again the transition from Western Heroes to the bed chambers of King Henry VII can be accomplished by a turn of the head in this wonderful Shrine to the Stars the lavish wardrobe worn by this figure of Charles lton cost $2500 and is an exact duplicate of the costuming worn in the film we still have dozens of great stars to see but before we continue let's go behind the scenes and meet the founder of this unique Monument to Movie Land Alan Parkinson made his fortune then retired from business he doesn't consider movie land wax museum a business at all with him it's a labor of love when he was just a boy sitting in the balcony of his neighborhood theater he was an avid movie fan and he still is today he's immensely proud of his dream come true but to Alan Parkinson his Museum will never be finished he keeps adding new stars because as he puts it they deserve the lasting tribute the most talented art directors in Hollywood design the sets here at movie land they're working on such future projects as benur Spartacus fugitive from a chain gang the Alamo and many others here is the setting for Natalie Wood in a scene from her starring role in Westside Story while the props are being gathered the Wardrobe being made and the set being built here at the Museum on the other side of the world in Valencia Spain The Gifted Hands of sculptor H ballister are turning a lump of clay into the beginning of a living likeness of Natalie Wood when the clay bust is completed a plaster mold will be made from it and from the mold the head will be cast into wax each hair will be put in one at a time and the wax likeness will be painted to match the exact complexion coloring after many weeks the finished wax figure of Natalie Wood will make the trip from Spain to bua Park California and the movie land wax [Music] museum occupying a place of prestige here at movie land are the faces and figures of the funniest comedy team of all time Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were big box office in silent films later they were even more popular in talkies and today they are followed by a new generation of fans as youngsters discover them on television this is an accurate reproduction of the beu theater set complete with a real 1924 Model T one of their Ardent fans donated this actual 1929 license plate to help make the scene more authentic Laurel and Hardy were box office Smashers in more ways than one in this scene from their 1929 hit the perfect day they made so many two real comedies and features that for years they were more or less taken for granted everyone loved their films but very few regarded Laurel and Hardy as true comedy greats only in recent years have they been acknowledged as the creative artists they really were the pity is that much of their real recognition has come after Oliver hard is untimely passing [Music] East is East and West is west but here at movie land the twain shall meet here's Nancy Quan in a scene from the world of Susie Wong arriving by Rickshaw at the door of the Cabaret everything in this set was imported from Hong Kong one of the most unique comedy drama teams of early talkies were Marie Dressler and Wallace Berry they are pictured here in their 1930 Min and Bill Wally Berry could do comedy or drama with equal ease Marie Dressler will always be Tugboat Annie to many of her [Music] fans Takis came in with a song in 1927 and just 4 years later in 1931 the first Hollywood movie ever filmed entirely on location out of this country was made in the Wilds of Africa the star was Harry Cary and the picture was Trader Horn a man with a unique distinction is Anthony Caprio he spends his time qua furing some of the most famous most beautiful women the world has ever [Applause] known a case in point is Gina bridg pictured here relaxing in her dressing room while making flesh in the woman Shirley Temple as she appeared in the movie brigh eyes doing her hit number on The Good Ship Lollipop when the Depression hit Hollywood gangster and topical films were the thing but later musicals and family films took over Shirley Temple came along at just the right time and became one of the biggest child stars of the new swing to happier movies [Music] [Applause] the Frankenstein monster the success of Dracula in 1931 led to the filming of Mary Shell's classic Horror Story later the same year it was handled with great skill and taste by James whale and created an even greater sensation than its vampire predecessor Boris carof became a star as the monster ironically very few of his Newfound fans had any idea what he looked like without that masterfully grotesque makeup in this scene Baron Frankenstein's sadistic assistant torments the monster with fire the only thing he fears the r gang comedy kids their Antics will live forever in the hearts of that generation who followed their Adventures every Saturday mat [Music] [Applause] the career of James Dean was meteoric this Moody intense 24-year-old Indiana Farm Boy only spent one year here in Hollywood and yet he starred in three films East of Eden Rebel Without a Cause and giant one week after the completion of giant he was killed in an auto accident James Dean became the idol of his generation he's a legend to his fans just as this man was 30 years before Rudolph Valentino had an Italian father a French mother and seven names most people couldn't pronounce he crashed the movies as a dancer and an extra and became the great lover of the silent screen men copied him and women adored him this is how he looked in Son of the Chic his best and his last picture Rudy died right after he finished it he was only 31 years old more than a million of his fans blocked the streets of New York to attend his funeral [Music] Vincent Price the master of the macabra as he appeared in the 3D horror Thriller House of Wax in this scene Phyllis Kirk is about to be dipped in boiling Wax By The Mad Man played by Vincent Price the scene is made even more terrifying by the breathing of the helpless victim there's always something new being added here at movie land this large tank will be used to dramatize a scene from the movie PT 109 a scale model segment of a PT Boat was built and transported to Park PT 109 as you know is the true story of the World War II Adventures of John F Kennedy as a naval officer and PT Boat commander in the Pacific the figures which will be seen in the display are being fitted out with authentic wardrobe and last minute finishing touches the figure of actor Cliff Robertson who portrays the role of Lieutenant Kennedy was sculptured in Spain and the uniform which was actually worn in the film was donated by Jack L Warner of Warner Brothers [Music] Studio to give the sinking PT Boat realism special effects man Wally wilger creates a little magic with lives themes 50 caliber machine guns are mounted and the tank is nearly ready to be filled with 24 tons of water a few hours later the lights are given a last minute adjustment and the set is ready for the dedication and unveiling ceremonies [Music] the guest of honor is the star of the picture Cliff Robertson arriving in real style in the chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce which is reserved expressly for the purpose of bringing visiting stars to Movie Land wax museum Alan Parkinson is on hand to extend official greetings [Music] oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] oh [Applause] [Music] handsome John Gilbert and mysterious Greta garble the most Sensational love team of their time this is a scene from their only talking picture together Queen Christina made in 1933 they made three films together the public knew that Gilbert was wooing Garbo in real life seeing one of their Tor love scenes was a little like eavesdropping Greta Garo was a living legend a Celluloid goddess her Legion of fanatical adorers were called Garbo Maniacs she was to her s what a star should be there are only a handful of truly Immortal Stars this man is certainly one of them Charlie Chaplain is regarded by many as the screen's most creative and greatest actor there is little doubt that he contributed monumentally to the global supremacy of early American films recently Charlie chap Jr brought his three-year-old daughter here for a visit when she saw this set she cried out daddy there's grandfather as the 30s Drew to a close business at the box office was faltering for most producers but late in December 1939 all box office problems were literally Gone With the Wind for producer David O selnik it had taken three years 13 writers and three directors to translate the more than 1,000 pages of the novel into a picture fans of the book clamored for Clark Gable to play Rhett Butler the cast scotet O'Hara a worldwide search was conducted it culminated in England with a selection of Vivian Lee an unknown British film actress it has been said of Harold Lloyd that he had a warm-hearted understanding of the secret Ambitions of Ordinary People his trademark was the young hero who always ended up scampering over tall buildings Harold Lloyd personally selected this scene from Mad Wednesday for his place in the [Music] museum when western movies got to be half a century old they grew up quite suddenly westerns became as popular in first-run theaters as they had always been everywhere else in 1952 Gary Cooper made high noon one of the best pictures of his magnificent [Music] career the theater goers all over the world his face was the symbol of honesty his rugged features always reflected the physical life of his native Montana even after 30 years in films not long ago an elderly lady came to see this scene she was scarcely noticed by the other visitors after a long quiet visit Gary Cooper's mother left saying I want to come back and see him [Music] again America's sweetheart Mary pford and the Undisputed king of his time Douglas Fairbanks each was a symbol to their fans and their f fans were practically everybody Mary pford is probably the best loved of all movie stars from any era most people today remember Doug Fairbanks as a swashbuckling Cavalier hero but he became a star in what were essentially [Music] comedies speaking of comedies here is an artist who made them by the dozens if any one Buster Keaton picture can really be called the best then Sherlock Jr is probably that one Buster worked out his own gags and thanks to a long career in Vaudeville his timing was Flawless Buster Keaton never made a bad comedy and he was one of the most inventive funny men ever to step in front of a camera in a characteristic pose from the popular television series Wagon Train we find Ward Von known to as millions of fans as major Adams the wagon boss this set is one of the most popular with visitors to Movie Land wax museum the Wardrobe was donated to the museum by Mrs Ward Bond 1927 was the year the talkis were born it was also a banner year for some of the greatest silent pictures ever made what price glory Wings Bo benur it was also the year of the First Academy Award and it was won by this famous love story seventh heaven the stars were Janet Gainer and Charles frell the director was Frank bosi a Craftsman without peer in handling love stories the plot is simple Boy Meets Girl and helps her out of trouble they fall in love war is declared and he's rushed to the front news comes that he's been killed in action but she won't believe it and in the end her faith is Justified when he returns to her by that time there wasn't a dry eye in the [Music] theater everything a Hollywood preview has to offer lights cameras and Stars this scene from Sunset Boulevard belongs here at movie land most of all the picture was an absorbing study of the old and the new Hollywood as is the movie Land museum Sunset Boulevard brought back one of the first ladies of the screen after many years of absence Gloria Swanson is the epitome of a movie Queen she'll never stop being a star in the film she played Norma Desmond a forgotten star who has lost her Fame and brooding over it is slipping toward Madness co- starred with her where William Holden who portrayed Joe Gillis the young writer and the great star's faithful chauffeur was played by Eric Von stroheim This Magnificent Rolls-Royce is just another example that time trouble and expense Are No Object here at movie land only five of these cars were ever built this one was located purchased from royalty imported from England and especially decorated inside with leopard fur Gloria Swanson donated this real Russian chinchilla cape for this scene the fur is valued at $10,000 throughout her career Miss Swanson carried a red carnation for good luck one of the daily rituals is to place a fresh flower in the star's hand this tradition has become so well known that visiting fans clamor for the day old flower as a momento of their visit here a cherished souvenir and a Happy fan we can all feel fortunate that years ago a boy on a balcony lost his heart to Laurel and Hardy and all the other great Stars people come here to Southern California from all over the world even the Stars themselves to see this unique Shrine and take a loving look back through a thousand yesterdays at the greatest performers of the screen movieand museum is a majestic tribute to the stars and to the people who come here it's an unforgettable experience there's nothing like it on the face of the Earth oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh