Glitz and Glamor: The History of Hollywood

Hollywood is an iconic location that people dream about throughout the United States.

But, it wasn’t always that way. Hollywood has a rich, storied, and interesting history. From its humble origins to its current glitz and glamor, it’s a fascinating and compelling story to learn about. That’s why there are so many movies about making movies!

So, are you ready to dive in? Read on to learn about the history of Hollywood.

The Origins of Hollywood

Back in the 1950s, Hollywood wasn’t what it is today. In fact, there was almost nothing there. Eventually, it evolved into an agricultural community called Cahuenga Valley.

In 1883, Daida and Harvey Henry Wilcox moved to the area from Topeka, Kansas. They briefly tried to get into the racing game, but quickly gave up. In 1887, they put in the paperwork to start subdividing the land, which began the urbanization of the area. Daida Wilcox eventually donated some of this land and is thought to have come up with the name Hollywood, after hearing about it from a friend in Illinois.

Then, in 1902, a real estate developer named H.J. Whitley came to make his mark on Hollywood. Whitley opened what was then called the Hollywood Hotel, and is now called the Dolby Theatre. The Academy Awards are actually usually held there. In 1903, Hollywood was officially incorporated as its own municipality. This was the beginning of what we now truly know as Hollywood in California.

The Golden Age of Hollywood Movies

You’ve probably heard about the golden age of Hollywood movies, but it’s a much bigger deal than you might think at first glance. In 1911, the first movie studio was opened in Hollywood, on Sunset Boulevard.

D.W. Griffith was the first director to create a film in the Hollywood area, with the film In Old California in 1910. Of course, D.W. Griffth is more known for the much more controversial (and racist) film, “The Birth of a Nation“.

Eventually, silent films began to become popular throughout the nation. Of course, Charlie Chaplin is a cultural icon, but he wasn’t the only name in the game. Other silent films stars from this era you may have previously heard of include Greta Garbo, Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford, and Clara Bow.

And, at some point, sound began to be added to motion pictures. This was the beginning of the movies we know and enjoy today. The 1930s began the true golden age of Hollywood. The rise of the World Wars meant that diversions from the stress of everyday life were more important than ever.

Of course, there were ultimately issues that complicated Hollywood. The Hays Code ended up censoring a great deal of what happened in Hollywood. And, when the Supreme Court ruled against the studio system, it essentially disbanded the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Without the Hays Code, this could have been a triumph and heralded in an even more exciting era of content. With it, it just caused more issues.

Hollywood Movies During and After The Hays Code

The Hays Code, which was enacted in 1948, was a strict code that censored many aspects of Hollywood movies. This very much cracked down on what could be portrayed in movies and television shows. Restrictions created by the Hays Code weren’t loosened until the 1960s and 70s, creating what is sometimes thought of as a second golden age of Hollywood.

A problem that coexisted with the Hays Code was the House Un-American Activities Committee. This committee was first established in 1938, but later on targeted the film industry in its search for communist plots. They called dozens of people in the film industry to testify.

A group of ten, referred to as the Hollywood Ten, fought back against the practice. The majority of these ten (one of the ten, Edward Dmytryk, ended up testifying), along with scores of others thought to be linked to communism, were then blacklisted from the film industry. Among the blacklisted were Dorothy Parker (one of the original ten), Paul Robeson, Orson Welles, and Francis Edward Faragoh.

The House Un-American Activities Committee wasn’t disbanded until 1975, and the impact it had on Hollywood is distinct. Many major players in the industry had their careers stalled or lost entirely due to HUAC.

The music industry also began to become a bigger factor in Hollywood, along with the television industry. In fact, the popularity of television eventually became a problem for film, since less people were leaving their houses to attend movie screenings.

Major Landmarks in Hollywood History

You probably think of the Hollywood sign when you think of Hollywood, right? It’s a major part of Los Angeles history. This sign first went up way back in 1923. It was put up by Harry Chandler, who was the publisher of the Los Angeles Times (which also exists to this very day). The sign originally said Hollywoodland, but the “land” was removed when the sign was refurbished.

Originally, the Hollywood sign was intended to be up for just over a year. And it’s still up, decades and decades later. Another major symbol of Hollywood is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame was first started in 1960. Different plaques contain the names of big stars throughout history.

Different plaques have different symbols to signal what part of the industry the person worked in. Some of the stars featured include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George Takei, Tallullah Bankhead, Boyz II Men, Cicely Tyson, and dozens of others.

Nowadays, getting on the Walk of Fame is mostly done as a promotional stunt. That’s because there’s a fee you have to pay in order to actually get your star, which is usually paid by studios or production companies. But it can still be an interesting place to check out when you’re visiting Hollywood.

Hollywood in Today’s World

Nowadays, Hollywood is a major factor in the film industry. But, it’s also a wonderful place to live. Hollywood is home to tons of different attractions you may want to visit, including the Brea Tar Pits and Museum, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Griffith Park, the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Museum, and many others.

And, Hollywood is chock-full of delicious restaurants you’ll definitely want to make a reservation at. California generally and Hollywood in particular is a great place to try out Mexican and Tex-Mex foods. There are also many high class restaurants. andhotels you can hang out at to try and spot the stars while you eat delicious meals and drink fabulous cocktails.

There are wonderful neighborhoods within Hollywood you’ll like to explore. Don’t miss out on walking around Thai Town or Little Armenia. Plus, since so many things shoot in the Hollywood area, you can get free tickets to different show tapings when you’re in Hollywood.

There are more events and happenings you can check out around Hollywood every day. You just need to know where to look.

If you’re not a driver, Hollywood is actually not a bad place to be. While it can be tough to find good parking, there’s more convenient access to the subway than in most of the rest of Los Angeles.

Hollywood Facts

Of course, there’s a lot more to know about Hollywood. Hollywood in California isn’t the first or only of its name. That’s why Hollywood has been unable to trademark the name “Hollywood”, because other cities with the name across the country contested the idea.

But, the film aspect of Hollywood has created its own offshoots. Hollywood North is a term that refers to the film industry in Canada, usually specifically in Vancouver or Toronto (depending on who you’re asking). Many American productions actually shoot in Canada, because of the lower costs and the similar appearance of the different locations.

Bollywood, of course, is the film industry in India. This thriving industry gets its name from the combination of the words “Bombay” and “Hollywood”. The film industry in India has actually overtaken the United States and become the largest film industry in the entire world.

Plus, Hollywood isn’t the only great city within Los Angeles. Other great areas you might want to check out include Los Feliz, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, or Santa Clarita.

The History of Hollywood: Move to Hollywood Today

Now that you know about the history of Hollywood, you may have some idea whether it’s a place you might want to live.

Are you looking for a place? Don’t delay. Contact El Centro today and apply for one of our fabulous apartments.