Why this building needs its own star on the Walk of Fame: Inside the LA hotel that housed Greta Garbo, Ronald Reagan and all 124 Munchkins (and appeared in a string of Hollywood movies)
- The luxury hotel was constructed by Harry Culver in 1924 and attracted stars such as Clark Gable and Judy Garland
- In early years Culver set about enticing movie moguls to bring their filming straight into his hotel's backyard
- The triangular-shaped hotel has featured in nearly 80 on-screen productions including Laurel and Hardy Classics
The Hollywood Walk of Fame traditionally features humans, and Mickey Mouse, but there's actually a strong case for a building receiving a star, too - LA's Culver Hotel.
Over the decades it's been much more than a bit player in Hollywood's history - not least because it housed all 124 of the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz during filming, plus a host of stars including Greta Garbo and former president and actor Ronald Reagan.
It's also appeared in numerous films and TV shows from The Last Action Hero to Marvel's Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Few hotels can match its star power.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame traditionally features humans, and Mickey Mouse, but there's actually a strong case for a building receiving a star, too - LA's Culver Hotel
Over the decades the Culver Hotel has been much more than a bit player in Hollywood's history - not least because it housed all 124 of the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz during filming
The luxury hotel was constructed by Harry Culver in 1924 and attracted a plethora of stars such as Judy Garland, Joan Crawford and Buster Keaton
A rumour circulated that there was a secret tunnel built at Culver Hotel to connect the Munchkin actors staying there to the filming location of the Wizard of Oz (pictured)
The luxury hotel was constructed by Harry Culver in 1924 in Culver City, which by the 1940s was where around half of America's movies were made, with Culver encouraging moguls such as Hal Roach and Thomas Ince to film there.
Over the years the eye-catching triangular-shaped hotel went on to appear in dozens of movies.
It's featured in Golden Era classics such as The Little Rascals and Laurel and Hardy and recently it has played a role in The Wonder Years, The Last Action Hero, Cougar Town and Marvel's Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Its exterior and interior have also been used for numerous scenarios including a London road, an apartment in Barcelona and a Parisian café.
And when it hasn't been appearing alongside stars in movies, it's hosted them.
Actors and actresses that have checked in include Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Buster Keaton, Greta Garbo and Ronald Reagan.
The triangular-shaped hotel has served as a backdrop to countless movie productions, racking up nearly 80 projects in its portfolio. Its iconic structure was well-known in Hollywood Golden Era, featuring in popular productions like The Little Rascals and The Laurel and Hardy Classics
In the early years Harry Culver (right) quickly set about enticing movie industry moguls such as Hal Roach and Thomas Ince to film in his hotel's backyard
The hotel's website said that the wild tales and stories that emerged from [the] Munchkin “residence” inspired the 1981 Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher movie, Under the Rainbow (pictured)
The Munchkins stayed for a while, too, while they filmed the Wizard of Oz across the road on the MGM lot.
Filming commenced on October 13, 1938, and according to the hotel's website a story quickly spread that there was a secret tunnel built to connect the Munchkin actors to the filming location.
It says: 'In reality, this "secret" pathway was used for pedestrians to cross the busy boulevard, but we like to stick with the other story!'
The site continues: 'The wild tales and stories that emerged from this Munchkin “residence” inspired the 1981 Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher movie, Under the Rainbow and, in 1997, six of the original cast returned for a Beyond the Rainbow event to share their remembrances with the Culver City Historical Society.'
Stars didn't just stay at the hotel, either. Charlie Chaplin was the owner for a time. According to the hotel's website 'legend has it that Chaplin sold it to the Duke, Mr. John Wayne, for a dollar in a poker game'.
As well as attracting actors who flocked to the movie-mecca area of Culver City, it also saw its fair share of political action. Dwight D. Eisenhower ran a campaign office from the hotel in 1952 during his run for President.
Sadly in the 1980s, the striking building fell into disrepair, and was boarded up with the threat of closure.
Thankfully Maya Mallick, the latest owner, sought to bring the historic hotel back to life, transforming its interiors and exteriors so it could once more grace screens over the globe.
The hotel features a 'Velvet Lounge', a space 'reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy' and where guests can order a 'Good Witch' cocktail. The Munchkins would no doubt approve
Even Charlie Chaplin was the owner of the Culver Hotel for a time (right) and famous movie stars such as Clark Gable (left) stayed in the luxury venue
Famous beauties: Joan Crawford (left) and Greta Garbo were among those who flocked to the unusually-shaped hotel
The four-star lodging boasts a bar that offers live music every evening and meeting and event spaces for those wishing to throw parties or functions
It's no surprise that the hotel became a National Historic Landmark in 1997.
Today the 46-bedroom four-star hotel boasts a bar which offers live music every evening and meeting and event spaces for those wishing to throw parties or functions.
It also features a 'Velvet Lounge', a space 'reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy' and where guests can order a 'Good Witch' cocktail. The Munchkins would no doubt approve.
It's no surprise that the hotel became a National Historic Landmark in 1997 (right). The hotel was refurbished recently
As well as attracting actors who flocked to the movie-mecca area of Culver City, it also saw its fair share of political action too. In fact Dwight D. Eisenhower ran a campaign office from the hotel in 1952 during his run for President
Recently it has played a role in The Wonder Years, The Last Action Hero, Cougar Town, The Last Action Hero and Marvels Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D
The latest owner, Maya Mallick, sought to bring the historic hotel back to life, transforming its interiors and exteriors so it could once more grace screens over the globe
Jerry Maren, one of the last serving munchkins from the 1939 Wizard of Oz, is pictured here in 2002 campaigning to save the Culver Hotel, where he stayed during filming
The 46-bedroom hotel has been used as a London road, an apartment in Barcelona and a Parisian café
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