Grauman's Chinese Theatre Sold

I was sad to see the following article.  Here are photos of fans from all over the world visiting Marilyn's handprints.  It is just such a historic building that the public can still watch films in.  Sounds like that is going to change.....

One of Hollywood's most iconic landmarks, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, is once again changing hands.

A partnership between Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures parent Viacom Inc. has signed an agreement to sell the historic theater on Hollywood Boulevard for an undisclosed sum to a pair of movie producers: Don Kushner, executive producer of "Tron: Legacy," and the flamboyant and controversial entrepreneur Elie Samaha, two people familiar with the deal said Thursday.

"Samaha has been doing walk-throughs at the Chinese for some time," the source says, "and it is clear from conversations with his people that he wants to turn the Chinese into a mixed venue that can show films, hold concerts, be rented out with removable seats to accomodate dance floor or standing-room-only crowds, etc, along with adding a bar and kitchen. 

"Samaha can sugarcoat this 'mixed venue' concept all he wants, but clearly his intentions are not for the preservation of a grand movie palace, but rather for a grand club," the source contends. 

Samaha "also intends to convert the Chinese 6 plex upstairs into a tri-level night club that would serve as after-party location for premieres and events that might be held at the Graumans, so the studios would be more or less forced to book a package with him if they want a film to premiere at Grauman's Chinese."