Hollywood Stars Shine and Sign for Museum

Three Hollywood legends gave their support to the Hollywood Heritage Museum at the April 4-5 Hollywood Celebrity and Collectors’ Show. Charlton Heston, Jan Sterling, and David Raksin signed photos, posters, CDs, books, baseballs, action figures, and more to help raise money for museum improvements.

The show was a smashing success. Charlton Heston had agreed to do the show in 1998, but it took 21 months to get his busy schedule to coincide with a show date (shows are held quarterly). He was scheduled to appear for two hours on Saturday, but the line was so long at his arrival time, security had to end it and it still took 3 hours to go through the line (with a two item limit). Mr. Heston generously agreed to stay until everyone in line was served, staying an extra hour, signing almost 700 items, and answering countless questions about his amazing acting career that spans movies, theater, and television. It was particularly impressive to listen to Mr. Heston’s comments and his sincere appreciation for Mr. DeMille for whom he starred in The Greatest Show on Earth and The Ten Commandments. Mr. Heston also signed a number of his two most recent books, Charlton Heston’s Hollywood and Charlton Heston Presents The Bible, of which the museum has a limited number of signed copies for sale. Ever busy, Mr. Heston was off the next day on his latest film, directed by Warren Beatty. This is not the first time

Mr. Heston has generously aided the museum, as his support goes back to the very beginning in 1985 and at subsequent events held since.

Academy Award nominee Jan Sterling had not made a public appearance in Los Angeles in several years, having spent several years in London. Through her friend and co-star in several films, Karen Sharpe Kramer (wife of screen legend Stanley Kramer), she was asked to appear for Hollywood Heritage, thrilling her many fans. Though she often played the hard-boiled blonde (better than anyone) she is a charming and beautiful star that can deliver sharp observations with a humorous edge (see more about Ms. Sterling in the Cinecon article).

Another Academy Award nominee, composer David Raksin, is one of those people who just keeps giving to the community as a composer, performer, and educator. Being 88 doesn’t affect his energy level as his schedule since the show has included a Los Angeles Master Chorale performance of his immortal theme from Laura at the Music Center, and the performance premiere of the score from Modern Times that he assisted Charlie Chaplin with, performed with the film by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at Royce Hall. Additionally, his theme from The Bad and the Beautiful perfectly fits the American Cinematheque’s Forever Hollywood documentary, shown daily at the Egyptian Theater. And a number of his former USC students (which include Hollywood Heritage board member Kent Adamson) came by to pick up a photo or CD at the show. The museum does have a limited number of signed CDs from Laura, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Forever Amber (original sound tracks or the RCA recording) for sale.

What did the proceeds from these signings do for the museum? First, a new museum-quality low-voltage track lighting system went into the main room (the "barn") including a new 6-circuit lighting system, replacing the old (1970s) pipe mounted array of floodlights. Exhibits are now effectively lit from above, the dramatic barn ceiling is now lit, and the room now has lighting that matches the quality of what was installed in the front room two years ago, making additional exhibit displays possible in the "dark areas" not covered by the random flood lighting.

Also, we were able to purchase a 36" RCA video monitor and A-V stand, as well as DVD and VCR players to show video programs on the museum’s history and other related subjects, that can now be viewed by all. Our previous video is being reformatted, re-edited, and improved to tell the barn’s exciting story.

One of the most common questions we hear at the museum is "Are the stars or studios helping out?" Well, this event demonstrated that continuing support of some of the greats of the industry, resulting in $11,000 worth of improvements that would not have been possible without their generous support. They, and others that have participated in the autograph shows have been, and will continue to be, one of the museum’s most important assets.

Hollywood Heritage would like to thank those people who helped to make this possible: Ms. Carol Lanning, Charlton Heston’s assistant who arranged and coordinated his visit; Karen Sharpe Kramer who arranged for Jan Sterling’s appearance and accompanied her both days; Hollywood Heritage board member Marvin Paige who arranged to have his good friend David Raksin at the show; and the show’s producers, Sharon and Ray Courts, whose quality shows make this fund-raising opportunity possible (all three guests commented to us on the quality of the show).

The next autograph show is October 7-8, 2000.