Los Angeles Landmark Reopens Griffith Observatory
By Valerie Summers
 After
four years of eagerly awaiting the new and improved Los Angeles landmark,
Griffith Observatory has opened its doors to hordes of visitors. Learning a
lesson from the Getty Museums in limiting the number of visitors at any given
time by requiring advance reservations, the experience has proven to be an
improvement, replacing the overcrowding of years past. Ninety three million
dollars later, the observatory’s expansion is unnoticed from the outside front
of the structure. The landmark has retained its original appearance with a few
changes. The great domes topping the structure remain, although their color has
changed. The virtually invisible expansion of this iconic building was
accomplished through excavating under the front lawn and west terrace.
 The
Griffith Observatory is known for more than a facility offering information
about our universe. It has served as the site for many famous Hollywood movie
scenes, one of the most memorable, perhaps, is the 1955 production of Rebel
Without a Cause which starred James Dean and Natalie Wood. In the 1980’s
Griffith Observatory hosted officer “Joe Friday” and his girlfriend in a scene
from Dragnet, starring Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks. California’s Governor, Arnold
Schwarznegger materialized from the future behind the building and walked across
the Observatory’s front lawn in The Terminator. In the ‘90’s, The Rocketeer, ,
Devil in a Blue Dress, The People vs Larry Flint and Bowfinger all had scenes
shot at the Observatory. Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, wrapped in October
2002, just weeks before construction began for the renovation and expansion.
The Observatory, part of the 4,000 acre Griffith Park, was
donated to the city of Los Angeles by Welshman, Griffith Jenkins Griffith, a
silver mining magnate with a great need for redemption. His was a story as
dramatic as any movie. He made a fortune. Then, in 1903 he forced his wife to
kneel and pray and then shot her in the head. He served time in prison and when
released, dedicated the last part of his life helping to make Los Angeles a
better city. It was his idea to build the observatory but he did not live to
see his dream realized.
 Groundbreaking
for Griffith Observatory took place on June 20, 1933. Lower than usual prices
caused by the Great Depression enabled the selection of the finest materials of
the day making the building both beautiful and durable. A depression-era Federal
public works program employed six sculptors to create the Astronomers Monument
which proudly fronts the Observatory.
Upon entering the building, the initial sight remained
familiar to me…the Focault Pendulum well and down the crowded hallway I recalled
the Tesla Coil which sprang to life with the flick of a switch by an effusive
young docent. However the 40,000 square foot expansion took me through new
territory including a large multi-level exhibit gallery and a 200-seat
presentation theater and the crowning glory, the 300-seat Samuel Oschin
Planetarium featuring a seamless dome, star projector, digital laser projectors
and state of the art sound system. The seating was also a great improvement as
I relaxed into my comfy reclining chair to witness the universe. The only
negative was the overly dramatic narrative by the presenter who traversed the
room carrying a glowing orb.
 Wandering
through the more than 60 exhibits and enjoying the informal, seemingly
spontaneous talks offered by knowledgeable observatory staff members created an
environment of curiosity. Men, women and children appeared enthralled by the
surroundings and the information imparted. I listened to a story about a woman
who had been struck by a meteorite and lived to tell about it. One of the
observatory’s visual highlights is the great cosmic panorama named The Big
Picture. At 152 feet long and 20 feet high, it covers the entire wall of the
Richard and Lois Gunther Depths of Space exhibit hall. Created by Caltech
scientists, the stunning representation is the largest astronomical image ever
produced. The part of the sky covered by The Big Picture is in the
constellation of Virgo, spanning the core of the Virgo cluster of galaxies,
about 50 million light years away. Talk about feeling insignificant!
Hours spent gazing at all the fascinating exhibits
eventually led me to the gift shop and finally out to the terrace of the
appropriately named Café at the End of the Universe. I gazed out at the great
City of the Angels and at another well known landmark, the Hollywood sign as I
basked in the warmth of the California sunshine.
For information:
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Visitor Access features a timed-entry and shuttle reservation system.
888/695-0888
www.GriffithObservatory.org
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