If I could give this museum 10 stars, I would! It is a MUST visit for anyone wanting to be up-close with true Hollywood history. Through pure luck, I saw a TikTok video of this wonderful museum. What caught my eye was the Ruby Slippers! I was amazed I had never heard of this museum. I worked in the entertainment field for 15 years I never once had anyone mentioned this museum to me. How is this possible? This museum boasts to have the world-largest collection of Hollywood memorabilia (both TV & Film). How come no one knows about this museum? PRO's: *They have the Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers! *The collections on the first floor are priceless. The Marilyn Monroe room is exceptional and non-exploitive. The rooms where the ironic Mr. Max Factor worked with the beautiful starlets of the Hollywood Golden Age is breath-taking. *The Joseff of Hollywood jewelry collection is break-taking, literally. *The two upper floors are packed with costumes and various TV & movie props. So many good memories. *The bottom floor is horror themed and certainly lives up to it's name! *The staff are friendly and so willing to chat with you about Hollywood history and they all definitely show their pride in this museum. *I want to come back again and again. So much to see and it is impossible to see everything in one visit. CON's: *The outside of the building needs cleaning, painting or something. Better signage to attract visits. Is the building old? Yes, but that is part of the charm of this museum. Make it stand out. *As I said I worked in this industry for 15 years (1999-2014) and never heard of this museum. Of course, I knew of the famous Max Factor building, but never once did I hear of a museum in this famous building. Walking along Hollywood Blvd, I did not see any signage, flyers or anything to draw visitors to this museum. *I spent over a week attempting to phone and email their museum before I arrived. Left messages on their voice mail, email and messaged on social media - no one ever replied ot me. It did not hinder me to visit, but it certainly was frustrating and would certainly hinder others from visiting. *Their social media is very dated and looks like something from the early days of Instagram. Your museum deserves so much better. The owner & curator have put so much care and time into their collections, that no one sees or knows about. You deserve to be flooded with visitors and it is not going to happen with your current social media and marketing campaign. This makes me very sad that Hollywood fans are missing out. *Their website. So dated. Again, the museum deserves better. *Hollywood fans deserve to know about this museum - please invest and update all aspects of your marketing & promotions. Visit this museum and tell your friends! You will not be...
Read moreI attended an event here back in August & was told I, and a guest, could receive free admission on a future visit with advance reservations. My review covers most of what's to see at the Hollywood Museum -except for the reason I wanted to visit this time..............The Chamber of Horrors in the basement DUH DUH DUH!!
The Chamber of Horrors is a mini-LACMA for the horror movie buff. Props, wardrobe & other movie memorabilia from classic & not so classic movies are on display. Even stuff from PG-13 movies that are not even close to being scary, like the Mummy movies (Brendan Fraser-era) & the Indiana Jones saga. What did my eyes spy? The Holy Grail from "Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade"? Holy crap! I had to strongly resist the urge to grab the cup, fill it with some Smartwater & quench my thirst. I sure could use the physical & spiritual healing that Sean Connery received in the movie. Alas, not meant to be :(
Other cool things I saw were an Elvira mannequin (Her boobs are just as impressive today as they were yesteryear), Freddy Kreuger & Jason Voorhees mannequins, a cell dedicated to "The Walking Dead" & the cell with a Hannibal Lecter mannequin that looks exactly like a snapshot from "The Silence of the Lambs".
Okay, okay. I'll admit it. A part of me felt like something, or someone, would jump out at me like the mazes at Knott's Scary Farm. Hey, I'm secure with myself to confess it. I kept my guard up, just in case, but nothing happened. Whew!
Also, I had another chance to view the Marilyn Monroe exhibit on the 2nd floor, which I'm glad I did before it bid adieu. She's such a complex person. I don't think she was an airhead, at all. She's an onion. Onions have layers (Shrek reference, Yes!). My favorites of the exhibit were the prominently displayed framed Playboy pics. They're striking & beautiful. Not trashy at all. I'm a fan of nude art/photography & what better subject than the incomparable Marilyn Monroe. I also experienced goosebumps when viewing her last pics before she tragically passed away way too soon. She showed the signs of Father Time passing by, as we all do, but she still was a beauty nonetheless. Probably moreso, like fine wine, ripening to a vintage that only her glamorous & globe-trekking life as an entertainer, could provide. Goodbye, Norma Jean.
I enjoyed my second visit to the Hollywood Museum. I recommend checking it out for people who love show business & the Chamber of Horrors for horror fans. Don't pass this treasure...
Read moreThe Hollywood Museum is a must-visit for movie fans, offering a treasure trove of film history and iconic memorabilia. I particularly enjoyed seeing the detailed movie props, with highlights like Hannibal Lecter’s cell from The Silence of the Lambs, the life-sized Bumblebee from Transformers, and the iconic costumes of Superman, Batman, and Catwoman. These exhibits really brought the magic of the movies to life.
The museum is packed with things to see across four levels. The first level, dedicated to actresses from the golden age of Hollywood, features memorabilia from black-and-white films. While this section was less interesting for us, it’s a great tribute to classic cinema. The second and third levels, however, were more engaging, featuring a wide variety of props and costumes from different film eras.
The basement, known as the "Dungeon," was a standout for me, showcasing props from horror movies—a genre I particularly enjoy. The eerie atmosphere added to the experience, making it a must-see for horror enthusiasts.
Overall, the Hollywood Museum offers a rich and varied experience, with something for everyone. Whether you’re into classic films or modern blockbusters, this museum is a fascinating journey through...
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