Planet Hollywood

While the Planet Hollywood store on Sunset Boulevard isn't my favorite place to shop in Disney's Hollywood Studios, it does hold some signifigance for me as a Studios fan.  Beyond the Planet Hollywood merchandise, photos and movie props is a building that like so much of Hollywood Studios, draws inspiration from a real life building.

The Planet Hollywood store is based on The Hollywood Theatre at 6764 Hollywood Blvd, which was opened on December 20, 1913 as a silent movie palace. The Hollywood is the oldest existing movie theatre in Hollywood. Its owner H.L. Lewis, had it built in the popular Romanesque style. Architects Kremple and Erkes face the building's facade in white semi-glazed brick and the lobby was done in marble tile while the auditorium was decorated with Corinthian columns and a coffered ceiling. 

The Hollywood had its facade remodeled  by S. Charles Lee and Clifford Balch in 1936, which among other changes, added the neon signs we see today on the outside. The Hollywood used its neon to attract customers as it was one of the first theaters to be installed with angled side panels, hoping to catch the eyes of passing motorists.

Interestingly enough, architect S. Charles Lee has designed a number of buildings that have been brought to Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The Legends of Hollywood and Tailors to the Stars stores both are creations of Lee.

The inclusion of the Planet Hollywood Store on Sunset Boulevard makes sense considering Sunset Boulevard pays tribute to the glamorous theater district of Hollywood and the Hollywood Theater was one of the first theaters in the rapidly emerging Hollywood Theater district.