You will first approach one building on the Yamashiro property- a strange estate that spans 12 acres. To see the rest of the property, including where the restaurant lies today it is a bit of a walk- but I encourage you to try to venture up the road and to the entrance of the restaurant on the left. The property offers one of the best views of Hollywood available- and a history that proves Hollywood is not above racist sentiment. While you walk you can hear the interesting history behind the property. The estate was built in 1914 by two German brothers- Adolf and Eugene Bernheimer. The brothers were dealers in dry goods and spent time acquiring art in Asia.&nbsp;The estate was and still is a huge collection of incredible antiques- and a pagoda that is the oldest structure in Los Angeles at 600 years old.&nbsp;

The brothers became suspicious new residents in Los Angeles, they had very little ties to Los Angeles, and they were German, so when World War One broke out they became figures of even more worry. They were accused of espionage and to combat the rumors they invited a reporter to inspect the property and interview them- it cleared the air but the brothers were never exactly welcomed and they sold the property in 1924. It since then was a clubhouse for various groups including the 400 club- a short-lived social society for those working in movies. In the 40s- it became a controversial outlet for war time hatred again as anti-Japanese sentiment rose. Much of the art was vandalized.&nbsp;

Today it is a high-end Asian restaurant and is about to get even higher or stop serving entirely. The owner of the restaurant recently told of rent disputes with the company that owns the property. They raised the rent to $100,000 a month. Puts the view into perspective, doesn't it? What is certain is that we can all be glad that the property has survived as long as it has.&nbsp;

Yamashiro

Hollywood is based on magic- &nbsp;so what better place to show you then the house where magic lives, the Magic castle. This chateau was built in 1909, and was converted into a private magic club in the early 60s.-it is the home of the Academy of Magical Arts. A now 2500 person club that requires an audition for membership. The castle is an outlet for the academy members to show their stuff to those lucky enough to get in.

You have to be a member or invited by one see in to the nightly shows and and enjoy all the aspects of the building. 5 bars, a full size show theater, 4 smaller ones, a restaurant, and a player-less piano that plays whatever you request.

Recently, Neil Patrick Harris was the Academy's director - and his classy reputation a newly modernized swelled the clubs popularity with the younger crowd. Ambiance is everything at the castle a fancy dress code is enforced and those who enter the front foyer must say 'Open sesame' for the magic bookcase to open and reveal the magic interior behind it. It is classic decorated with- wood,red velvet and &nbsp;plush walls and magic posters from every era. The property maintains its secrecy and cache with a strict no camera policy and of course the invite only admittance.&nbsp;

The Castle and Academy were satirized by the television series Arrested Development. One of the main characters Job Bluth was an aspiring magician. He had hilarious run ins at the castle and with fictional members.&nbsp;

If you are desperate to get in, ask around, or book a room at the Magic Castle Hotel and make a night of it.&nbsp;

The Magic Castle

A Less obviously tied to Hollywood industry is that of music. But there are countless studios in the county and some walking distance from this hotel- so what makes this small hotel with the flags an important part of the industries history? Because it has been a place for those recording in the area to stay while not in the studio. It was a very hip hangout for those like Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and their Rat Pack and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Many of those staying there were recording at Sunset Sound records- which we will pass later on in our tour. One very sad story to be told here is that it was the place where Janis Joplin was staying when she was recording her last album. When she didn't show up for her session a road manager came to where she was staying, right here. He saw her psychedelic Volkswagen bug in the parking lot and sadly discovered her- she had passed away of a drug overdose.&nbsp;

Janis Joplin was only 27 and had made a huge impact on the music industry at the time, she was in numerous bands including Cheap Thrills &nbsp;where her vocals graced, 'Piece of my Heart' Her final album Pearl was released after her death in 1970. It included 'Mercedes Benz' and 'Me and Bobby McGee'&nbsp;

The hotel is still quite popular for those recording, and for tourists as well- given its location and cool vintage vibe.&nbsp;

Image: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lookingforjanis/6482578715">"The former "Landmark Motor Hotel" where Janis Joplin died"</a> by&nbsp;<a data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lookingforjanis/" title="Go to Looking for Janis's photostream">Looking for Janis</a>&nbsp;is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a>

Highland Gardens Hotel

The Hollywood Roosevelt has been a place for steady glamour and events. Built in 1927 In the Spanish Colonial style- the hotel cost 2.5 Million dollar to build which is over 30 million in today's dollars. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The hotel where Marilyn Monroe did her first photo shoot. After gaining a little bit of fame, she went back to the hotel to live there for two years. It was also the home of the first Academy Awards. It was also the site of much less beautiful Hollywood traditions- like notable stars and their incidences of 'Driving while Intoxicated'. In 1929, with prohibition in full swing crooner Bing Crosby drunkenly smashed his car in front of the lobby- eye witnesses say he practically drove the car through the lobby. &nbsp;He had been driving a party guest back to her hotel, and she was injured in the collision.&nbsp;

The incident was wiped from all records and if it hadn't had been he may not have become the white christmas singing clean cut guy that many people couldn't imagine getting into trouble at all.

Young Hollywood today are not as lucky as Bing was. The internet seems to release their mugshots overnight. In related news, after a revamp in 2005 and the opening of the Lobby's night club, Teddy's, the Roosevelt has been updated into a modern hot spot for today's young Hollywood elite.&nbsp;

The Hollywood Roosevelt

Every neighborhood in Los Angeles has one, or several beautiful, empty buildings. One of the best examples of this is the Hollywood First National Bank building on the corner of one of the busiest and arguably most famous intersections in the world, Hollywood and Highland. The building is a testament to Los Angeles and Hollywood's economy. Built in 1927 by the architects that brought you the Chinese theater- as a building for commerce and offices in the area. When it was built it was the tallest building in Los Angeles, and has distinctive characters- including the very rare to LA- Gargoyles. It is Spanish, Art Deco influences and has sculptures all around it representing science and enterprise. When the economy took a hit in 2008, the buildings bank vacated and upon the time of publishing this tour, it still is.&nbsp;

The empty building in Hollywood reflects a recent trend in movie making that has affected many aspects of living in Los Angeles. Movie making is sadly leaving the place it came from and moving to other states. Taxes in California are too high and permit restrictions are heavy. This leaves movies like 'Battle Los Angeles' unable to make filming work in the films namesake and instead was shot in Louisiana. With the industry being a huge basis of the Los Angeles area economy, it has many people very worried.&nbsp;

It is telling that this building made to reflect commerce, on the intersection made famous because of the movie industry is empty. Here's hoping the situation improves for the old bank building, and for Hollywood as a whole.&nbsp;

Hollywood First National Bank

Home of the first Hollywood premiere in 1922- and one of many exquisite movie palaces created at the time. All were themed to be escapes and to house elegant movie going experiences. Downtown LA was once the place for palaces before the bigger and better ones began popping up in Hollywood. Two of those, including this one- was built by Sid Grauman. His other theater of course, is the more famous, Chinese Theater.&nbsp;

The theater is in Egyptian revival style and is inside and out very golden and has hieroglyphics, scarab beetles, and columns.&nbsp;

The first ever Hollywood premiere was for Robin Hood with Douglas Fairbanks- it was a very expensive film shoot and production that costed about 1 million in the 20s, which translates to about 13 million in todays money.&nbsp;

Look up at the banner type marquee near the walkway entrance- today it is ran by the American Cinematheque a film preservation group that runs inspired and thematic film screenings and festivals. The Cinematheque restored the theater in 1998 after purchasing it from the City of Los Angeles for 1 dollar- because of the agreement to polish it up to its formal glory. If you have a chance, see a screening there- they are inexpensive and sometimes have a Q and A with people involved with the film. Take a peek through the glass door and see what you can see of one of the oldest and coolest movie palaces in Hollywood. &nbsp;

Egyptian Theater

The Second City has given Hollywood its funniest characters. The improvisational comedy classes and its showcase theater started in Chicago in the 50s. This theater opened in the 1980s and is a local training center to allow up and coming comics to polish their skills and get visibility with nightly shows. &nbsp;Alumni to the schools 3 campuses include----just about any comedian you can think of. Tina Fey, Amy Polar, Chris Farley- the list could go on and on.&nbsp;

Hollywood houses many comedy theaters including the Laugh Factory, Improv, and Comedy Store. Those in the field have found a new outlet beyond the classic stage show and stand-ups, in the field of Podcasting. Everywhere you turn around a comedian has their own podcast and it is a usually free outlet for exposure and to connect directly with fans. When we move down to Sunset Boulevard you will be on the path to not only the other notable classic comedy theaters mentioned above. You would also run into Meltdown comics where a theater is used for live podcast tapings and good old fashioned stand up. Combining the old with the new, and further sealing Hollywood's place in comedic history.

The Second City Hollywood

Before the Olympics in 1983 much of Los Angeles got a face list- and this mural was a lasting part of the revamp. Thomas Suriya is not a classically trained painter and he was asked by a friend to paint the outside of his family's business and because of it's timing and subject matter it got a lot of pre-torch buzz. He painted it in the mind of what it might be like to have all the famous stars of Hollywood watching you. After this mural, Suriya received 2 other commissions for murals in the area and is one of many artists that have beautified Los Angeles in their own unique ways.&nbsp;

The mural is in an appropriate neighborhood and depicts the art form that the city is famous for, movie going. It has been photographed many many times and has also seen it's fair share of distress.

It was actually retouched again in 2007 the artist cleaned up graffiti and scratch marks.This was in an effort to use the art once again to set the cleaner standard for the neighborhood.&nbsp;

See how many stars you can name in the mural, and look closely at their faces. Many of their expressions are quite humorous.&nbsp;

You are the Star Mural

In a design that was meant to be the new look for cinemas- a dome was constructed in 1963. Like most buildings in Los Angeles- it has had it's own tumultuous history. Inside it has an 83 foot wide screen that is one of the few in the area that is still projects 70 mm film.

In the 90s, the stadium seating and big multi-plexes were all the rage and the dome was being discussed for demolition- or a conversion into retail shops. Film enthusiast and historians were outraged and in 1998 it was named a historical landmark which brought the cinerama dome it's rightful protection. In 2001- when the adjoined megaplex Archlight cinemas bought the building they starting showing movies in it again, and it is has maintained its popularity since.&nbsp;

At the end of 2015-the dome was in the news again as an angry Quentin Tarantino spoke out against Disney and it juggernaut of a Star wars reboot- the Force Awakens. The controversial director's film The Hateful Eight was due to be released a few weeks after the force and he was planning to show it in only 70mm. Quentin is a film enthusiast and has even restored a local movie theater so he of course wanted to show his dramatic western at the dome. Disney had other plans and wanted to keep their film running in the famous theater, so much so that as Tarantino revealed they threatened to pull star wars from all archlight cinemas if they didn't keep the dome.&nbsp;

Whatever is playing in it- we can all be glad the building still stands and shows films today.&nbsp;

The Cinerama Dome

While approaching this strange building try to figure out what it is about before I tell you more....

Any clue? You are in front of a very well invested museum that offers a scientifically disputed view on psychology and psychiatry- which is very clear in all the displays around it- what isn't clear on any part of this museum is who is behind it. It is discretely funded by the Church of Scientology- a controversial worldwide religion that bases is on the writings of science fiction guru &nbsp;L. Ron Hubbard. The church has become a worldwide force with immense real estate holdings and questionable practices. Numerous Hollywood actors like Tom Cruise, and John Travolta are members and the church and it is well known for other wealthy members because of the financial investments involved.&nbsp;

Everyone has heard about Scientology and most people have an opinion on it- interestingly in Los Angeles a prominent historical society that focuses on preserving historical buildings the Los Angeles conservatory- has a surprising opinion about the church. In their view, it is difficult to be super angry with a group that has restored over 2 dozen enormous historical building. Without the religious group buying and taking care of the enormous landmarks they may have just gone the way of the City National Bank Building and could be empty and covered in graffiti.&nbsp;

Now that you have learned of the good Scientology has done- feel free to step inside the museum to reevaluate that idea. It is a beautifully displayed opinion piece negating scientific facts.Think about how people, like the Hollywood signs tragic figure Peg Entwhistle, may have benefited from psychiatric help if it were more readily available and see how the museum hopes to evoke fear of a science that has saved so many. But it is free, and is definitely an experience.&nbsp;

Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psychiatry_death_museum.jpg">"Psychiatry death museum"</a> by&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:ChrisO" title="wikipedia:User:ChrisO">ChrisO</a>&nbsp;is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>

Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum

Hollywood has seen its fair share of movie and television studios. None as charming as the now Jim Henson Company- it originally opened in 1917 and is historical site of Charlie Chaplin's movie making- including his very famous 1940 satire the Great Dictator.

Now Kermit and friends of the muppets- among others use the space, not without an homage to the original owner as seen on top of the tower. Up top is Kermit dressed up and posed like Chaplin's tramp himself. Look closely under the statue to a painting of Chaplin as if he is peeking out behind the door of the studio.&nbsp;

The original property had a ten room house and a five acre orchard, the layout was inspired by an English village. By the time the Jim Henson company looked at the building it was said to be a hodge podge group of buildings fit for their eccentric puppet characters.&nbsp;

All media has used the space and it has even appeared as itself- an abandoned version where Kermit sings his sad refrain in 2011s The Muppet Movie.&nbsp;

Jim Henson Studios

We end our tour with the four silver ladies of Hollywood an installation that continues to be relevant in the entertainment industry today. It features the likenesses of four women that made their mark on Hollywood by not just their accomplishments but because of the barriers they broke in making them. Mae West pushed the envelope in challenging censorship in the early 20th century &nbsp;and was also a very successful play-write in a time when the profession was chiefly male dominated.

Dorthy Dandridge was an African American actress that came into fame in the late 1930s a time when segregation and racism was still rampant in Hollywood and every day life- and she was nominated for an academy award. Anna Mae Wong was the first Chinese american movie star- she started in the silent film area and was able to make the difficult transition into 'talkie' pictures. And finally, Dolores Del Rio was the first Mexican actress to cross over into american film who returned to Mexico to star in many films that would be later recognized for being defining in the Golden age of Mexican cinema.&nbsp;

Finished in 1996- the artwork is a reflection of the continuous and current plea for recognition of women in film- as they are underrepresented in film and television well underpaid in comparison with male colleges.&nbsp;

Even more prominent is the need for cultural and racial diversity in film today- a very heated discussion of race and Hollywood erupted after the academy award nominations of 2016 - when only white people were nominated in the acting categories. This spawned the hashtag on social media of #oscarssowhite and has inspired the academy of motion picture arts and sciences to reevaluate its membership and nomination standards.&nbsp;

Hopefully the women of the statue can serve as role models for those who still have gender and racial barriers that are in need of breaking.&nbsp;

The Four Ladies of Hollywood

Hollywood's most popular tourist spots- the Walk of Fame, the Chinese theater, and the commercially dominated Hollywood and Highland complex aren't all to see in this famous neighborhood.

Enjoy some lesser known stops that give a different perspective to Hollywood and it's magic.

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Audio tour&nbsp;developed by Kelly McBennett and powered by IZI.travel&nbsp;

The Underground Tour of Hollywood Magic

Los Angeles

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Los Angeles

The Underground Tour of Hollywood Magic

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