Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror???

monorail1 · 02-24-2006, 12:31 PM

From Wikipedia:

In Hollywood, California, visible from Highway 101, is the Hollywood Tower apartments on Franklin Avenue. A plaque by the front door states: "HOLLYWOOD TOWER. 1929. SOPHISTICATED LIVING FOR FILM LUMINARIES DURING THE "GOLDEN AGE" OF HOLLYWOOD. PLACED ON THE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR."

Was this building the inspiration for the original Tower of Terror and all subsequent clones? The sign at the top of the building looks very similar.

http://www.woodsontheweb.com/images/...Tower_BImg.jpg

**Monorail Man** · 02-24-2006, 01:01 PM

From what I've heard, the ToT was based on the real Hollywood Tower, and it's archy style was based on a myriad of Hotel designs, including the Mission Inn, and others.

BFJen · 02-24-2006, 01:32 PM

I thought it came after the Disney movie the Tower of Terror - pretty cheesy movie - but great ride.

TheDude · 02-24-2006, 01:40 PM

the promotional materal from 94 said it was inspired from the real holloywood tower building. it does look like it.

The movie did not come out until 1997. in fact, that movie might be the reason why we had other ride based movies like Pirates and HM. (Not that any of us like the HM)

BFJen · 02-24-2006, 01:43 PM

okay, I'll admit it - I like the Haunted Mansion movie!

TheDude · 02-24-2006, 01:56 PM

hmm.. I guess it is possible that someone out there liked it.

i'm just glad that they are not adding eddie murphy to the ride like Pirates is getting Depp.

MasterGracey · 02-24-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude

the promotional materal from 94 said it was inspired from the real holloywood tower building. it does look like it.

The movie did not come out until 1997. in fact, that movie might be the reason why we had other ride based movies like Pirates and HM. (Not that any of us like the HM)

It cracks me up that nobody even remembers The Country Bears movie.

BFJen · 02-24-2006, 02:08 PM

I own that too - my kids really like it.

kelly · 02-24-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monorail1

From Wikipedia:

In Hollywood, California, visible from Highway 101, is the Hollywood Tower apartments on Franklin Avenue. A plaque by the front door states: "HOLLYWOOD TOWER. 1929. SOPHISTICATED LIVING FOR FILM LUMINARIES DURING THE "GOLDEN AGE" OF HOLLYWOOD. PLACED ON THE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR."

Was this building the inspiration for the original Tower of Terror and all subsequent clones? The sign at the top of the building looks very similar.

http://www.woodsontheweb.com/images/...Tower_BImg.jpg

I have seen the hollywood tower apartments as well (whene ver we drive through hollywood) and every time I wonder if that was the inspriation for the TOT.. I think it could be.. it makes sense you know, it does

Tui · 02-24-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFJen

okay, I'll admit it - I like the Haunted Mansion movie!

oh I thought it was a great movie, until I saw it....

Speedway · 02-24-2006, 02:51 PM

Same here. I was really looking forward to seeing it... then it all went black.

speederscout · 02-24-2006, 03:31 PM

I had mild expectations for the Haunted Mansion movie; after all, a movie as good as Pirates is a fluke, otherwise more films would be as good.

I liked Haunted Mansion. It wasn't great, but it was fun. Though I'd hate it if they had modified the ride to reflect the movie at all. For a while it was as if Disney felt anything they sent to a cineplex was gold and worthy of enshrinement in the park (Game Grid of Tron, anyone?).

By the way, I'm familiar with the Mission Inn; I'd like to know what they took from there as inspiration for ToT.

Steve DeGaetano · 02-24-2006, 03:45 PM

Sorry, I don't see any similarities at all between the two buildings.

I'm certainly no architectual expert, but the real one seems based on French provincial/chateau style, with its large hip roof.

The Disney version seems to rely heavily on Spanish revival/Moorish elements like domes, with a certain art deco feel about it.

I have a small collection of books on Los Angeles and Hollywood history; I don't recall seeing any local hotels with domes.

The Mission Inn in Riverside may have been an inspiration, but then, it's mostly based on Mission Revival style--although it's pretty eclectic.

About the only thing I can see inspiring Disney was the name. They sound pretty similar...

pancakesaregood · 02-24-2006, 04:03 PM

It looks as though they got the inspiration for the sign being on the outside from the Hollywood Tower, unless it was the style of how they displayed the name then..

Steve DeGaetano · 02-24-2006, 04:10 PM

I'll check my books on old Hollywood, but I believe that sign style and location was typical of the era.

02-24-2006, 12:31 PM	#1
monorail1 Clear for Dispatch Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 157	Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? From Wikipedia: In Hollywood, California, visible from Highway 101, is the Hollywood Tower apartments on Franklin Avenue. A plaque by the front door states: "HOLLYWOOD TOWER. 1929. SOPHISTICATED LIVING FOR FILM LUMINARIES DURING THE "GOLDEN AGE" OF HOLLYWOOD. PLACED ON THE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR." Was this building the inspiration for the original Tower of Terror and all subsequent clones? The sign at the top of the building looks very similar. http://www.woodsontheweb.com/images/...Tower_BImg.jpg

02-24-2006, 01:01 PM	#2
Monorail Man Let's go to Disneyland! MiceChat Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Apple Valley, CA Posts: 3,934	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? From what I've heard, the ToT was based on the real Hollywood Tower, and it's archy style was based on a myriad of Hotel designs, including the Mission Inn, and others. __________________

02-24-2006, 01:32 PM	#3
BFJen For You! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Idaho Falls Posts: 10,373	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? I thought it came after the Disney movie the Tower of Terror - pretty cheesy movie - but great ride. __________________ Will trade husband for Disneyland and DCA Pins!

02-24-2006, 01:40 PM	#4
TheDude The Fantasyland guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fantasyland Posts: 884	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? the promotional materal from 94 said it was inspired from the real holloywood tower building. it does look like it. The movie did not come out until 1997. in fact, that movie might be the reason why we had other ride based movies like Pirates and HM. (Not that any of us like the HM)

02-24-2006, 01:43 PM	#5
BFJen For You! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Idaho Falls Posts: 10,373	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? okay, I'll admit it - I like the Haunted Mansion movie! __________________ Will trade husband for Disneyland and DCA Pins!

02-24-2006, 01:56 PM	#6
TheDude The Fantasyland guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fantasyland Posts: 884	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? hmm.. I guess it is possible that someone out there liked it. i'm just glad that they are not adding eddie murphy to the ride like Pirates is getting Depp.

02-24-2006, 02:08 PM	#8
BFJen For You! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Idaho Falls Posts: 10,373	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? I own that too - my kids really like it. __________________ Will trade husband for Disneyland and DCA Pins!

02-24-2006, 02:51 PM	#11
Speedway On and on the beat goes.. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: En-ger-land. Posts: 4,673	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? Same here. I was really looking forward to seeing it... then it all went black. __________________ Shiny and New (VERY OLD!) TRIP REPORTS Margaret Kerry (Tinker Bell) 10th June 2006 Alton Towers 12th June 2006 Mini MC Meet, Stratford-upon-Avon 4th July 2006 Walt Disney World Resort 12th - 26th October 2006 New York City 31st March - 6th April 2007

02-24-2006, 03:31 PM	#12
speederscout 0 to 200 mph in 1 second! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southern end of the DLR Posts: 1,424	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? I had mild expectations for the Haunted Mansion movie; after all, a movie as good as Pirates is a fluke, otherwise more films would be as good. I liked Haunted Mansion. It wasn't great, but it was fun. Though I'd hate it if they had modified the ride to reflect the movie at all. For a while it was as if Disney felt anything they sent to a cineplex was gold and worthy of enshrinement in the park (Game Grid of Tron, anyone?). By the way, I'm familiar with the Mission Inn; I'd like to know what they took from there as inspiration for ToT.

02-24-2006, 03:45 PM	#13
Steve DeGaetano Member MiceAge Columnist Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,950	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? Sorry, I don't see any similarities at all between the two buildings. I'm certainly no architectual expert, but the real one seems based on French provincial/chateau style, with its large hip roof. The Disney version seems to rely heavily on Spanish revival/Moorish elements like domes, with a certain art deco feel about it. I have a small collection of books on Los Angeles and Hollywood history; I don't recall seeing any local hotels with domes. The Mission Inn in Riverside may have been an inspiration, but then, it's mostly based on Mission Revival style--although it's pretty eclectic. About the only thing I can see inspiring Disney was the name. They sound pretty similar... __________________ Steve My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and place your order here: www.steampassages.com Last edited by Steve DeGaetano; 02-24-2006 at 03:52 PM.

02-24-2006, 04:03 PM	#14
pancakesaregood Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Moon and New York City. Posts: 689	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? It looks as though they got the inspiration for the sign being on the outside from the Hollywood Tower, unless it was the style of how they displayed the name then..

02-24-2006, 04:10 PM	#15
Steve DeGaetano Member MiceAge Columnist Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,950	Re: Did the Hollywood Tower inspire the Tower of Terror??? I'll check my books on old Hollywood, but I believe that sign style and location was typical of the era. __________________ Steve My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and place your order here: www.steampassages.com

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