Sharing a wall with the Paramount Pictures lot is the most Hollywood of all the Hollywood cemeteries, Hollywood Forever.
If MGM boasted that they had “more stars than there are in heaven”, then Hollywood Forever can confirm that all their stars actually are in heaven. (Too soon?)
With its rolling meadow and swan filled lake, this is a beautiful place to visit. The star spotting is fascinating, and a map of notable gravesites is available from the tiny florist shop beside the front gate.
Visitors are always welcome at Hollywood Forever, and you will find a lovely sunny outdoor lounge area by the front gate and see picnickers as you stroll the grounds.
Perhaps the most infamous final resting place is that of Rudolph Valentino, glamorous exotic silent film star of the 1920’s. Each year after his death a mysterious woman in a black veil, known as “The Lady in Black,” would visit Valentinos grave to mourn and leave flowers. When you find the spot, inside the beautiful Cathedral Mausoleum, and bathed in light from the adjacent stained-glass window, you can absolutely picture her there, just as you’d (well, I’d) always imagined.
Of course, many would argue that Judy Garland is the star of the show here, and I’m sure most tourists stop by the Judy Garland Pavilion to pay their respects.
The list of luminaries at Hollywood Forever is long, and also includes Estelle Getty, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Australian Coral Browne, Mickey Rooney, Peter Lorre, Jayne Mansfield, and Eleanor Powell.
We recently took a picnic and attended a film screening of Wizard of Oz at Hollywood Forever to celebrate Judy Garland’s 100th birthday. The nighttime screenings are run by cinespia.org and are a wonderful unique experience if you get the chance to go.
sidebar your honour:
This scene from the 2010 movie “Valentines Day” was filmed at Hollywood Forever. Nobody (NOBODY) is suggesting you sit through the whole film, but this scene is STUNNING. stop it, I’m not crying, you’re crying.
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Southern California #72 - last visited June 2022
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