Historic Hollywood Photographs

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Searchlights 8 images Created 3 Oct 2019

Searchlights are a staple of the Hollywood premiere and other special events. They attract attention to a particular venue, often a movie theater or nightclub, as their beams criss-cross the night sky. Originally for military use, the machines use powerful light sources with reflectors to project beams of parallel rays in a certain direction. They are constructed to swivel and the projections can be seen for long distances. A major component of advertising and grand openings, the lights set the tone for events in Hollywood during the Golden Era and are still used at premieres and such today.

These 8 photographs taken between 1927 and 1946 show this most eye-catching feature of the entertainment industry’s publicity machine.
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  • 1943 Searchlights at the Hollywood Bowl
    SL-001.tif
  • 1936 Searchlights in front of Sears & Roebuck on Santa Monica Blvd.
    SL-002.tif
  • 1929 Searchlights pierce the night sky in Hollywood
    SL-006.tif
  • 1946 Searchlights pierce the night sky in Hollywood
    SL-007.tif
  • 1928 Searchlights on Hollywood Blvd.
    SL-008.tif
  • 1928 Searchlights on Hollywood Blvd.
    SL-009.tif
  • 1928 Searchlights on Hollywood Blvd.
    SL-010.tif
  • 1928 Searchlights on Hollywood Blvd.
    SL-011.tif