See the Hollywood Museum’s Max Factor Rooms Transform into a Festive Winter Wonderland
The Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, California, has been all decked out for the holidays. Dr. Christmas (a.k.a. Bob Pranga), Christmas decorator to the stars, and his Christmas elves have created a winter wonderland yet, with five festive trees on display in the museum’s Max Factor rooms.
Max Factor was a major influence in the golden years of film, creating the best makeup for Hollywood stars on the silver screen. And at the Hollywood Museum, located in the historic Max Factor Building where he once created his makeup, visitors can learn about the makeup innovator and his history in four different rooms: The Blonds Only, The Brunettes Only, The Brownettes Only, and The Redheads Only. Each room explores Factor’s influence and the actresses he worked with.
Each room’s Christmas tree is unique: The Blonds Only room is decked out with a blue-highlighted tree, while the Brunettes Only room has an orange-themed tree. The Brownettes Only room has purple accents, and the Redheads Only room contains the most elaborate tree in the museum, with a base color of bronze and gold. It is adorned with pictures of some of Max Factor’s famous yesteryear stars, including Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Lupe Vélez, Debbie Reynolds, Rita Moreno, Barbara Stanwyck, Sharon Stone, and Liza Minnelli, to name a few.
All photos by Mike Pingel
Max Factor began developing his “Color Harmony” techniques in 1918. He pioneered a line of powders and creams that enabled him to customize and provide more consistent makeup for each individual actor or actress. In 1935, when Max Factor opened his new studio on Highland Boulevard in Hollywood, the main floor featured four makeup rooms that transformed the “look” of Hollywood forever! And transform it he did: Lucille Ball was not an original redhead. It was Max Factor who designed her hair color and the makeup to go with it.
After the Max Factor Makeup Studios closed, it took nine years to restore the Max Factor Building to its original grandeur; the Hollywood Museum opened in the building in 2003. Back in all its glory was the lobby, a white and rose-colored art deco oasis of lavish marble, re-created historical chandeliers, pastel hues, antique furniture, trompe l’oeil design, and faux finishes with 22 karat gold and silver leafing.
ballbaThe Hollywood Museum maintains a collection of one-of-a-kind costumes, props, photographs, scripts, star car collections, personal artifacts, posters, and memorabilia from favorite stars, films, and TV shows. Located in the heart of Hollywood, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave., just steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Museum has been named the #1 top tourist attraction in Hollywood by LA Weekly, one of the “Top 10” Museums in LA by the LA Tourism and Convention Board, and has received the Award of Excellence from TripAdvisor.
The museum features four floors of exhibits (two floors above the lobby and a basement below), adding up to more than 35,000 square feet of exhibit space. Currently on display are the Transformers – This Joint is Jumpin’; Superhero’s Legends – Catwoman; Joseff of Hollywood; Three Stooges 100th Anniversary; and LGBTQ+ in Hollywood.
The Hollywood Museum is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and is located at 1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90028. Tickets are: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+), $12 for students with ID, and $5 for children under 5.
Cowboy Christmas
November/December 2024
Saddle up for some Holiday Cowboy fun with movies, music and your fav Christmas episodes of classic Westerns.
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