Valley Girl (1983)

Has anyone seen the recent Nicholas Cage movie Season of the Witch? Anyone? Anyone? You can't fool us, Nic. You're just trying to pay off your credit cards and you're forcing your fans to suffer. It's time to go back to the great quirky films that made you famous like Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Wild at Heart, Leaving Las Vegas and ... Valley Girl.

Valley Girl is not a great film and truthfully, I didn't see it when it came out back in 1983. I watched it a couple of years ago when I decided to move to the San Fernando Valley and felt entertained, a little nostalgic but it isn't great cinema and probably wouldn't be remembered except for the fact that a valley girl has become such a cultural icon. To be fair, I don't think the filmmakers were aiming for an Academy Award. At the time, the movie made a decent box office and in that context, the movie has been a success.

The movie has a very simple Romeo-Juliet plot. Julie is from the San Fernando Valley and uses words like bitchin', whatever and fer sure!! She's cute, well dressed and even though her parents are aging hippies, she's as wholesome as a box of cornflakes. Randy is from Hollywood (the other side of the valley) and has crazy hair, puppy dog eyes and a rock n' roll soul. He's dangerous but that's just what Julie wants because Tommy, her current boyfriend is a dork and his brains are just bad news. Unfortunately, Julie's friends don't approve of Randy and they want her to date cardboard cut-outs like Tommy for the rest of her life.

What's a bummed out teenage girl to do?

She goes to Dupar's for some comfort food!

Dupar's is a local diner that still exists on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. I've been there many times and it serves up some great food.

I don't think the decor has changed in 60 years. Nothing matches in this place but the atmosphere is "homey" especially if your home has navy blue carpets and fuschia banquettes.

At Dupar's, you can usually find a waitress that calls you "hon", an old guy reading a newspaper and a faded tv star from a show that nobody can remember.

On this visit, I ordered the Californian sandwich with a tall ice tea. I didn't want ketchup which shocked the waitress.

"You don't want ketchup? Are you sure??"

Apparently it is a requirement to order ketchup in a diner. I hate to disappoint anyone so I requested the damn ketchup which seemed to make the waitress very happy.

Dupar's isn't cheap. For a sandwich and an ice tea, the total was about $20. I remember when lunches were $5 and I'm not talking McDonald's or Taco Bell.

Ventura Boulevard is the primary commercial road through the San Fernando Valley. It travels from Woodland Hills, through Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks and comes to an end in Studio City.

Welcome to the valley (at least the rich part), my friends! 

Dupar's is at 12036 Ventura Boulevard and if you drive a couple of miles, you'll come to another filming location for Valley Girl, The Sherman Oaks Galleria.

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In the movie, the Galleria is a typical mall with a food court, clothing stores, escalators and teenage girls who are happily charging up their parents' credit cards. 

But all has changed. 

Presently, the Galleria is an open air business-office-y kinda thing and for me, the only reason to go there is to see a movie at the Arc Light cinemas or maybe have a deep fried avocado springroll at The Cheesecake Factory. 

I wanted to get some good photos for the blog so I took out my camera and took ONE picture. 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a guy wearing sunglasses and a trenchcoat appeared. 

"Sir, you can't take pictures of the Galleria." 

It was like an episode from The Simpson's when that nasally-voiced guy appears whenever someone violates a copyright.  

He explained to me that I could take pictures of buildings OUTSIDE the Galleria while STANDING in the Galleria but I definitely could not take pictures of buildings INSIDE the Galleria even if I were STANDING OUTSIDE the Galleria.  It was all very technical. 

When I had a dumbfounded look on my face, he told me that is was a "911 thing".   

Apparently, DSW Shoes is a huge terrorist target and they don't want anyone planning their attacks with a point-and-shoot camera.    

This is my one photo of the INSIDE Galleria.  Actually it was taken outside so it's all very confusing. 

After my encounter with trenchcoat man, I was a little freaked out.  I had no idea where he came from so I was a little paranoid that he was following all my moves from a satellite. 

I wanted to get some more photos but all I could do was take a picture of the sign--and even then I was flustered and practically snapped the photo from inside my jacket.  I was afraid someone was going to jump me and smash my camera and throw me into jail. 

Here is my illegal photo. 

At the end of Valley Girl (SPOILER ALERT), Julie chooses RocknRoll Randy after Randy beats the crap out of Tommy at the prom. 

The movie ends with Julie and Randy driving by the Sherman Oaks Galleria in their limo.  They are sooooooo in love and the Modern English song "I Melt with You" fills the air. 

80s nostalgia.  You either get it or you don't. 

HOW TO GET THERE:  The San Fernando Valley is located in the northern part of Los Angeles county.  Dupar's in located in Studio City which is to the east and the Galleria is located in Sherman Oaks to the west. 

WORTH THE TREK?  8/10 for Dupar's.  The good is great, the waitresses are efficient and mom-like and you never know which wrinkled celebrity you might run into.  5/10 for the Galleria.  The days of being a real mall are as dead as 80s fashion.  The Arc Light cinemas are great (you get to reserve an individual seat and with some shows, you can even order alcohol) but other than that, this place always seems to be way busier than it deserves to be.  

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Celluloid Heroes (1972)

In Hollywood, you don't die, you become a star and if you're famous enough (and have $25,000), you could become a star on  Hollywood Boulevard. 

My favorite song about this Walk of Fame is Celluloid Heroes by The Kinks, a British invasion band that came to prominence in the US with their single "You Really Got Me".  Celluloid Heroes wasn't released until 1972 and its haunting lyrics and melody give us a melancholic perspective on fame; celluloid heroes never feel any pain and celluloid heroes never really die but these same heroes were lonely, fragile and only made of flesh and blood.  Despite the shortcomings, the song echoes the public's obsession with becoming famous; Everybody's a dreamer, Everybody's a star And everybody's in showbiz it doesn't matter who you are.

It's a great song written by Ray Davies and I've included the full lyrics below:

Everybody’s a dreamer and everybody’s a star,

And everybody’s in movies, it doesn’t matter who you are.

There are stars in every city,

In every house and on every street,

And if you walk down Hollywood boulevard

Their names are written in concrete!

Don’t step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard,

She looks so weak and fragile that’s why she tried to be so hard

But they turned her into a princess

And they sat her on a throne,

But she turned her back on stardom,

Because she wanted to be alone.

You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood boulevard,

Some that you recognise, some that you’ve hardly even heard of,

People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame,

Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain.

Rudolph Valentino, looks very much alive,

And he looks up ladies’ dresses as they sadly pass him by.

Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi

’cos he’s liable to turn and bite,

But stand close by Bette Davis

Because hers was such a lonely life.

If you covered him with garbage,

George Sanders would still have style,

And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney

He would still turn round and smile,

But please don’t tread on dearest Marilyn

’cos she’s not very tough,

She should have been made of iron or steel,

But she was only made of flesh and blood.

You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood boulevard,

Some that you recognise, some that you’ve hardly even heard of.

People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame,

Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain.

Everybody’s a dreamer and everybody’s a star

And everybody’s in show biz, it doesn’t matter who you are.

And those who are successful,

Be always on your guard,

Success walks hand in hand with failure

Along Hollywood boulevard.

I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show,

A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes,

Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain

And celluloid heroes never really die.

You can see all the stars as you walk along Hollywood boulevard,

Some that you recognise, some that you’ve hardly even heard of,

People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame,

Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain.

Oh celluloid heroes never feel any pain

Oh celluloid heroes never really die.

I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show,

A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes,

Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain

And celluloid heroes never really die. 

The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches for 2.4miles along Hollywood Boulevard and has 2414 stars including the newest star which will be placed on July 29th, 2010 and have the name "Mark Walberg" on it.  No doubt, Marky Mark will be there so be sure to show up and throw your Calvins at him. 

The Walk is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and you can get more information about the celebrations at http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/. 

In Celluloid Heroes, eight stars are mentioned and I decided to track them all down on a recent visit to Hollywood.  Because I have nothing better to do. 

The first one I found was George Sanders located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard.  His most famous role was the dry theater critic in All About Eve for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award. 

I hope you appreciate the placement of the shadow in my photo which is appropriately in the form of an Oscar. 

If you covered him with garbage,

George Sanders would still have style

Sadly, George committed suicide in Barcelona, Spain at the age of 65.  He was apparently "bored". 

Next to George's star is a Hollywood gift shop selling T-shirts and tacky Oscar statuettes.  In this area of Hollywood, there are plenty of shops like this so if you're looking for that "World's Best Mom!" Oscar, then be sure to shop around. 

If you do walk this Boulevard, you won't miss the Grauman's Chinese Theater located at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard.  It is a very imposing structure and well worth a visit to check out a movie.  The theater screen is HUGE!   

And of course, you have to stick your hands and feet in the cement outside the theater.  Judy Garland must have been VERY tiny. 

The next star I found belonged to Greta Garbo at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard, the silver screen beauty who just "vanted to be alone".  She lived a reclusive life after a long film career and died in New York City in 1990. 

Don’t step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard,

She looks so weak and fragile that’s why she tried to be so hard

Ironically, her star is right next to the blaring neon sign of the Hard Rock Cafe where her star is trampled day and night by hordes of tourists. 

You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood boulevard,

Some that you recognise, some that you’ve hardly even heard of

And this is why I included the star belonging to Iron Eyes Cody located at 6655 Hollywood Boulevard.  I had never heard of him before but after a quick search, I found out that he was the famous "Crying Indian" seen in the Keep America Beautiful PSA which aired in the early 70s.  He stood by the side of the road and shed a tear as trash was thrown from a car and landed at his feet. 

Such a sensitive Indian. 

If you're starting to wonder if Hollywood Boulevard is just full of overpriced tourist shops, then your impression is not entirely inaccurate.  However, there are some cool restaurants such as The Geisha House located at 6633 Hollywood Boulevard. 

If you're under 30 and want to be in a place where the scene is more important than the food, then check it out. 

And the Musso and Frank's Grill, famous for its steak and martinis, is located at 6667 Hollywood Boulevard.  It is Hollywood's oldest eatery and was established in 1919. 

Next up, I came to Mickey Rooney located at 6541 Hollywood Boulevard. 

And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney

He would still turn round and smile,

Apparently Mickey is quite a nice guy but he has yet to apologize for the the buck toothed myopic Japanese landlord in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.   

He also has Walk of Fame stars for Radio and Television. 

And in keeping with the MickeyRooney/Asian theme, his Boulevard star is located right next to a Thai massage parlor.  For $40, that's a pretty good deal especially if it includes a Happy Ending!  Yahoo! 

There are some great murals along the Boulevard ... 

But just because you're a star, doesn't mean you get respect ...

And my favorite mural is this one.  All the stars are there watching themselves on the silver screen.

Defacing Marilyn should be a crime punishable by death in Hollywood. 

Bette Davis is located at 6225 Hollywood Boulevard. 

But stand close by Bette Davis

Because hers was such a lonely life

Having been married four times, I'm not sure how she was so lonely but perhaps she never found her soul mate. 

And her star is right next to the Pantages Theater.  Margo Channing, her thespian character in All About Eve, would be proud. 

This is a good theme for the Boulevard.  Of course, if you don't quit and never make it, you might end up being old and bitter.

The choice is yours. 

One of the first sex symbols, Rudolph Valentino is located at 6164 Hollywood Boulevard. 

Rudolph Valentino, looks very much alive,

And he looks up ladies’ dresses as they sadly pass him by.

I'm betting most people have never seen any of his movies and barely know anything about him but his name is instantly recognizable.  That makes him an icon. 

He only lived to the age of 31 and died as a result of complications from appendicitis. 

Now you know.

Hmm, not much to keep Rudolph company.  His star is right next to a generic parking lot. 

And next, I came to the star of Bela Lugosi which can be found at 6340 Hollywood Boulevard. 

Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi

’cos he’s liable to turn and bite

Bela was famously known for his portrayal of Dracula in the Universal movies.  Despite being a legend, he fell into near poverty and was rescued from obscurity by the director Ed Wood who offered him a few movie roles.

He died of a heart attack in 1956. 

And wouldn't ya know, right next to Bela's star is a JuicyBurger!  Sink your fangs into these gourmet hamburgs. 

At this point, I just wanted to include a picture of cool kinky shoes.  There is really no relevance. 

Writing this blog is taking longer than the time it took to walk down the damn street! 

Marilyn Monroe.  THE icon.  Her star was found at 6774 Hollywood Boulevard. 

But please don’t tread on dearest Marilyn

’cos she’s not very tough,

She should have been made of iron or steel,

But she was only made of flesh and blood.

And she wasn't very tough.  Her candle blew out at the painfully young age of 36.  Probable suicide, mistaken overdose or Kennedy hit?  You decide because the history books can't.   

And right next to Norma Jeane's star is a McDonalds.  Yeeha!  All the glamor you can handle right here on the Boulevard. 

Get your Sausage McMuffin now!  Some like them hot!  

Phew!  And that's it.

HOW TO GET THERE:  If you're from out of town, Hollywood Boulevard is high on the list of must-see attractions and every tour bus is going to drive down it.  Otherwise, if you're driving your own car, park in the large underground parking at the Hollywood/Highland complex and get your ticket validated at the little stall on the 2nd floor (buy a pack of gum or a Gatorade or something). 

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WORTH THE TREK?  9/10  Sure it's touristy and on certain days, you'll get trampled by hordes of camera-wielding out-of-towners but this strip of pavement is still a lot of fun.  You won't catch a live celebrity here but the spirit of the dead ones will keep you in good company.   

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