"I used to think as I looked out on the Hollywood night, 'There must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me dreaming of being a movie star.' But I'm not going to worry about them. I'm dreaming the hardest."
Marilyn Monroe.
This is my third time in Los Angeles and I've got to say I love this city. It is not the just about the characters that roam, or the taxi drivers that seek to find me to keep me safe at all hours of the morning, or the buzz that is constant, like a never ending machine in my ear reminding me that I am in a place that is happening at a million hours per second. It is about the small surprises that pop up to remind me again and again that I am existing in a moment that is truly special, that will embed in a memory to be brought up, that will always induce a giggle and a smile.
Upon arriving I found myself at the most logical place to stay, Dream Suites Hotel, Hollywood. I figured that if dreams can come true than this is the place to make them happen.
I wasn't wrong. Vanity Fair is celebrating this month the up and coming "Young Hollywood" stars, the likes of Steve Yeun, Jena Malone, Max Minghella, and Kiernan Shipka. However, here at the Dream Suites Hotel I've been confronted with history. Needless to say, I am staying in a place where Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks stayed in, the early bad boys of Hollywood, setting the bad boy of Hollywood example forever. Audrey Hepburn stayed in suite 51, Mae West was here too, and I wonder if Marilyn Monroe thought about her dream when she was here too, as she peered over the road at Paramount Studios.
The tour bus comes around all day, telling visitors about the importance of this hotel in Hollywood. As I look out of my window, I see the colourful bus, and I hear the voice over the speaker. Passengers stretching their necks for a glimpse of history.
There is a ghost too, believed to be Theda Bera, who roams at night, climbing the steps wearing a gorgeous black dress. Apparently she had a certain type of look that she would give men, then disappear, leaving behind their surprise and a vision of her luscious black hair, and deep gazing eyes. For those of those that don't know, she was the original Bette Boop. I have yet to meet her, but am looking forward to it when I do.
Marilyn Monroe.
This is my third time in Los Angeles and I've got to say I love this city. It is not the just about the characters that roam, or the taxi drivers that seek to find me to keep me safe at all hours of the morning, or the buzz that is constant, like a never ending machine in my ear reminding me that I am in a place that is happening at a million hours per second. It is about the small surprises that pop up to remind me again and again that I am existing in a moment that is truly special, that will embed in a memory to be brought up, that will always induce a giggle and a smile.
Upon arriving I found myself at the most logical place to stay, Dream Suites Hotel, Hollywood. I figured that if dreams can come true than this is the place to make them happen.
I wasn't wrong. Vanity Fair is celebrating this month the up and coming "Young Hollywood" stars, the likes of Steve Yeun, Jena Malone, Max Minghella, and Kiernan Shipka. However, here at the Dream Suites Hotel I've been confronted with history. Needless to say, I am staying in a place where Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks stayed in, the early bad boys of Hollywood, setting the bad boy of Hollywood example forever. Audrey Hepburn stayed in suite 51, Mae West was here too, and I wonder if Marilyn Monroe thought about her dream when she was here too, as she peered over the road at Paramount Studios.
The tour bus comes around all day, telling visitors about the importance of this hotel in Hollywood. As I look out of my window, I see the colourful bus, and I hear the voice over the speaker. Passengers stretching their necks for a glimpse of history.
There is a ghost too, believed to be Theda Bera, who roams at night, climbing the steps wearing a gorgeous black dress. Apparently she had a certain type of look that she would give men, then disappear, leaving behind their surprise and a vision of her luscious black hair, and deep gazing eyes. For those of those that don't know, she was the original Bette Boop. I have yet to meet her, but am looking forward to it when I do.
The owner is George Pan- Andreas, a Hollywood legend himself, godson to Ginger Rogers. He was brought to the USA by Kostas Manousakis in the 1990's to star in one of his films, this didn't eventuate, but a lead in Broadway Oresti's did, which set his entertainment career on an exciting path, chosen by Kevin Casselman who also represented stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Midler and George Hamilton. To date he has performed in approximately 53 stage productions, movies such as Target, TV shows, such as General Hospital. The list is very long, but meeting George is more special for the values that he instills in the visitors to this hotel. The main one is the need to provide a network for visitors and I have to say, this has been very exciting for me. Csymbidium, also known as Candy, who works at the front desk has made sure that I meet as many people as I can, for in the past it was this support that made those legends in Hollywood and if it can be replicated again then that is good enough reason to support one another and encourage each other, for in a lot of ways, there is nothing greater than the beginnings of a'Star'. I'm not saying that I am that Star, far from it, but there is plenty that walk up and down the steps in this hotel and look over at Paramount Studios that just may be. Here's a great shot of Candy and myself in the office. The image below this is George Pan-Andreas and Candy.
Los Angeles has been amazing, I am forever stimulated and excited by what's around me, constantly wide-eyed and happy. I have to credit the people I have met and the wonderful surprise they have each become. I believe dreams can come true, and if it is one place in Hollywood that this can happen, it is definitely in a place where others already walked that path; here at the Dream Suites Hotel.
Stella Dimadis
2014.
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