Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell At Grauman’s  Chinese Theater 1953

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell leave lasting impressions at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. If it were up to Marilyn though it would not have been their hands and feet impressed in wet cement in front of the theater.

It was June 26, 1953 and the two stars were being honored for their new film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Marilyn suggested that she sit in the concrete and Jane lean over and leave an imprint of her breasts. The half joking suggestion was not taken seriously.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Blvd. in downtown Hollywood is still among the most visited tourist spots in town.

It is also considered a bit of Hollywood immortality to leave your signature, hand and footprints in cement.

The theatre was opened in 1927 by showman Sid Grauman who was a one third partner in the theatre along with Howard Schenck and the power star couple Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Grauman sold his share in 1929, remaining the manager until his death in 1950. The first person to leave their prints in concrete was Norma Talmadge.

The theatre is now known as TCL Chinese Theatre. The Creative Life a Chinese company, retain naming rights of the theatre until 2023.