THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN GETS A TEMPORARY FACELIFT: The Trust For Public Land has until April 14 to raise funds to purchase the property surrounding the famous landmark, or the real estate goes up for sale on the open market.
On September 16, 1932, Broadway Actress Peg Entwistle (also known by the stage name Mary Cecilia Brown) leaped to her death from The Hollywood Sign's letter H, after her first (and only) film with RKO Pictures, "Thirteen Women," received bad reviews in test screenings.
Somehow, Mary Brown
failed to see the wisdom in,
"Look before you leap."
The Hollywood Sign as it appeared in 1923. The last four letters were removed in 1949.
BROWN/ENTWISTLE'S DEATH CERTIFICATE: Sadly, she never got to read the letter offering her a starring role in a Beverly Hills Playhouse production that arrived only days following her suicide.
A rare clip of Peg Entwistle performing as Hazel Cousins in "Thirteen Women" (1932).
I BEGAN WRITING and publishing "Hollywood Haiku" (i.e., entertainment industry themed and inspired poems in haiku form, under the aforementioned title) years ago on Hometown AOL, Geocities and MySpace. Since then, numerous imitators have sprung up and two of the three hosting sites have shut down. But I believe (at least, I hope) that my original concept, style and voice remain distinctive.
I am a lover of all things Hollywood, from the industry's humble and innovative beginnings to its technologically astounding present. It is because of my passion for the cinematic and theatrical arts (and due to my penchant for observation and scribbling) that I offer my poetic perspective. Enjoy!
- G. M.
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