Graumans Chinese -- Kirk Douglas -- April 3, 2018

In July, 2012 we paid a return visit to Hollywood and Grauman's Chinese Theater. Sid Grauman was a San Francisco showman who came to Los Angeles and built three major houses, the Million Dollar, the Egyptian, and the Chinese. The theater has hosted many film premieres, but is most famous for the hand and footprints (and hoofprints and nose prints and other types of prints) in the forecourt.

Actor Kirk Douglas left his hand and footprints in the forecourt on 01-November-1962. He is a passionate actor whose work I have always admired. (31)

Kirk Douglas turned 100 on 09-December-1916. He is still alive.

He grew up poor, but wanted to be an actor after he recited a poem in kindergarten. He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts with Betty Joan Perske, who later became

Lauren Bacall. She had a crush on him, but he probably felt that she was too young.

After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy and served until 1944, when he was discharged because of wounds. Lauren Bacall helped him move from Broadway plays to the movies.

He made many good movies, including Out of the Past, In Harm's Way and Paths of Glory. In his own productions like Spartacus, he helped to break the Hollywood blacklist. Dalton Trumbo received a credit under his own name.

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