Hollywood, which represented not just a city, but also an industry, a lifestyle and, increasingly, an aspiration, was officially crowned when the “Hollywoodland” sign was erected in July 1923.
The idea for the iconic sign originally came from H.J. Whitley, a real estate magnate, as an outdoor advertising campaign for a suburban housing development in the Hollywood Hills overlooking Los Angeles. The “billboard” was massive with each of the original letters 30 feet wide and approximately 43 feet tall. Intended to last just over a year, the last four letters were removed in 1949 and the sign remains a landmark known around the world.
Hollywoodland sign : original sign in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles: c. 1924
Photography of Hollywood’s Golden Age
French archival photo library Rue des Archives, acquired by Bridgeman in 2015, is an extensive resource for the Golden Age of Hollywood and the stars of the silver screen.
Legends of Cinema
Rita Hayworth c.1940-1945/ Photo © Collection CSFF
Sabrina, 1954 directed by Billy Wilder. Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn
Photo © DILTZ