The nervous excitement on that day’s visit to Hollywood was already surfacing as we got up. All South Indian vegetarians gravitate towards South Indian restaurants, and so we did too, to the Udipi Restaurant. Having filled our tummies, we drove towards Hollywood.

First visit was to the famous Chinese Theater. And then the Walk of Fame. Admiring the handprints of various movie personalities on the sidewalk, we had to move fast since our allotted time was only a day for Hollywood. My sons had to return. Anybody interested can search for Walk of Fame or Chinese Theater and find out how popular these are for visitors.

Even from a distance, the word ‘Hollywood’ could be seen on the hill as we approached. As we took the winding road up the hill towards the Studios, we could see the houses of many movie personalities. The one that lingers in my mind is the house of Oliver Hardy. It was in such a dilapidated condition. I felt very sad and sorry. A house of an actor who had brought so much laughter to kids and adults alike, even during the world of ‘silent movies,’ was so barren of life.

The first one to welcome at the Universal Studios was ‘Tarzan.’ Or somebody dressed like the Tarzan we have seen in movies. A huge, well-built man clad just with a wrap-around tiger skin, I think. Anybody could shake hands with him and take photographs. But people were rushing to another place, another person. The all-time favorite, the all-time attractive and beautiful and magnetic ‘Marilyn Monroe’ was there. Wait. Somebody like her. So many were keen to be photographed with her. One could always boast one had personally met this actress who was charmed by one’s presence and willingly agreed for a photograph. What would the grandkids know that this was a duplicate Monroe?

One day is not enough by any stretch of imagination for a visit to this Studio. So many shows based on their movies are acted out. We could see only a few and had to rush for the world-famous bus ride at Universal Studios. Whatever you miss, the bus ride cannot be.

The first show we saw was ‘Water World.’ A scene was being acted out in setting with a guy pouring out water on the audience now and then. This was being performed outdoors and not in a set.

I will only recount a few shows I remember. The ‘Mummy Returns’ show. As we went up the elevator, we could see some horror scenes. There was a group of ghosts dancing merrily. Appearing to be so true. And as you walk through this dark area with displays, suddenly your head may be scratched by an unseen hand, perhaps of a ghost. Or without warning, a skeleton may appear before you and scare you. Many things to scare. Amongst all of us—perhaps all the visitors—I was the one who was not scared at all. No shrieking or shouting by me. The reason. Not my courage. Nor the guts. Anyway, I held very poor stock of these. It was my eyesight. Even the skeleton was ‘unseen’ by me. Not even the ghost head-scratcher or one doing ‘boo’ could scrape the surface of my sensitive skin. Handsome rewards of a handicap!

Continued in 256. May Believe Make Believe - Part 3