Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood apparently getting a mixed-use venue makeover.

Here's Jeffrey Wells take on the Elie Samaha/Don Kushner purchase of Grauman's Chinese from Warner Bros./Viacom: http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2011/04/graumans_chines.php

Contrast the above with LA TIMES lapdog Richard Verrier's article:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/04/graumans-chinese-theatre-is-.html

Key passage from the Verrier article:

The single-screen Grauman's -- known for its giant, red Chinese pagoda, signature Chinese dragon guard dogs at the entrance and cement block footprints and hand prints of famous Hollywood figures -- was declared a historic and cultural landmark in 1968.

Neither Samaha nor Kushner were immediately available to discuss their plans for the theater, but one person familiar with the matter said the theater will continue to screen movies and host premieres and that the new owners plan to upgrade food and beverage services.

It's a fact of life that old movie palaces die in Los Angeles to be reborn as churches, nightclubs or concert venues.

So let's say RIP to Grauman's Chinese as it was and await the new era with mixed emotions.