‘Dynamic’ Hollywood Museum Proposed

The state Senate’s leader unveiled plans for a $53.5-million Hollywood Exposition and Museum and said he would ask the state to finance a small part of the project.

Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) described the exposition as a “dynamic museum of motion pictures, television, radio and recording” that would be under partial state control but would be financed largely by private contributions.

“The state would be in charge of the facility,” he said Monday. “But I’m not precluding something like a joint-powers agreement (with a local agency).”

Roberti and other supporters of the project who attended a Capitol press conference said that Hollywood is one of the state’s top tourist attractions but that people who go there find very little except an aging business district.

Would Fill Void

The exposition would fill that void and generate additional tourist spending, project supporters said.

Roberti, who represents the Hollywood area, insisted that the exposition would not drain tourist dollars from other attractions in the Los Angeles area.

“It will keep (tourists) in California longer,” he said. “I don’t think it will detract.

“The vast majority of tourists set aside time to go to Hollywood. It is part of their vacation schedule, and yet there is nothing really concrete to see once you go to Mann’s Chinese Theatre.”

Four Pavilions Envisioned

As promoters envision it, the exposition would include a central theater where visitors would see a 15-minute orientation film on the entertainment industries, a central plaza and four pavilions--one each for the motion picture, radio, television and recording industries.

Visitors would be able to do such things as edit their own movie sequences, create sound effects, listen to vintage radio programs and try their skills as disc jockeys, talk show hosts and TV reporters.

Asked why a private interest has not developed such a facility, Roberti said, “You really need a catalyst.”

Roberti said that he would ask the Legislature to add $785,000 to the next state budget to pay for plans for the exposition and hire a fund-raising staff.

$140,000 Already Spent

The state has already spent $140,000 for a feasibility study of the proposal.

“We do not really envision too much more coming from the state,” Roberti said.

When reporters asked how much more the state would be asked to spend over the $785,000 already requested, Roberti said, “We really envision, hopefully, to stop here.”