Editor

NEW HOLLYWOOD MONUMENT TO BE UNVEILED ON MAY 6, 2004 with Mayor James K. Hahn attending.

Monument at Hollywood & Vine to Honor D. W. Griffith’s “In Old California” – First Film Shot in Hollywood

The Beverly Hills Film Festival and Thomas Bond II, Biography Company’s CEO, announced the erection of a black granite monument commemorating the first film shot in Hollywood, D. W. Griffith’s “In Old California.”

At 2:30 p.m., Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn plans to inaugurate the monument, to be erected a stone’s throw from the corner where the legendary director shot the first silent film in Hollywood. Also in attendance will be Congressman Henry Waxman, who noted, “I am pleased that Biograph Company will memorialize this important film, which has made a significant historical contribution to the film industry.”

According to Mayor Hahn, “Hollywood is in the midst of a renaissance, and the Biograph/Beverly Hills Film Festival monument will bring visitors and residents a greater understanding of the role of motion pictures in Hollywood’s history.” Bond said, “It is about time this historic film was recognized. This is an historic event that perpetuates Hollywood history, and marks the beginning of new horizons for Hollywood as a neighborhood and visitor’s center both.”

“In Old California” is a drama of Mexico-owned California, and is important for its insight into the life and times of that country and of Mexican-Americans in California. It is thus significant not only as an historical, but as a sociological document of its time. Nino Simone, President of The Beverly Hills Film Festival, commented, “Given the groundbreaking nature of the film itself, it’s only fitting that we should be breaking ground on this monument, as preserving the history of film while looking toward its future is among our Festival’s major goals.”


The film screens as the opening selection of the Beverly Hills Film Festival, at 6:00 p.m. at the Clarity Theatre, 100 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. An after-party begins on the Clarity Terrace at 6:30 p.m.