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Podcasts Off-Ramp
The Hollywood sign: Still turning heads at 90
Off-Ramp with John Rabe Hero Image
(
Dan Carino
)
Sep 27, 2013
Listen • 4:36
The Hollywood sign: Still turning heads at 90
Marc Wanamaker is a historian and lover of all things Hollywood—he talks about the landmark with Patt Morrison at the W Hotel in Hollywood.
A replica of the Hollywood sign was put up in Bronson Canyon for the 1974 film Day of the Locust.
A replica of the Hollywood sign was put up in Bronson Canyon for the 1974 film Day of the Locust.
(
Marc Wanamaker/Bison Archives
)
The original Hollywoodland sign advertised a real estate development in 1923.
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Caltech students altered the Hollywood sign in 1987 to read CALTECH.
(
Marc Wanamaker/Bison Archives
)
The original Hollywood sign high above Beachwood Canyon shown here in 1923.
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A deteriorating Hollywood sign made of wood in 1959.
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The Hollywood sign is lit up in 1978.
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Marc Wanamaker is a historian and lover of all things Hollywood—he talks about the landmark with Patt Morrison at the W Hotel in Hollywood.

Hard to believe that a sign for a real estate development became the symbol for the entertainment capital of the world – Hollywood. Harder still to believe that it’s marking its 90th birthday this year. Marc Wanamaker is a historian and lover of all things Hollywood, and  he talks about the ups and downs of the landmark with Patt Morrison at the W Hotel in Hollywood, within sight of those iconic nine letters.