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Magical vintage photos of Hollywood Boulevard becoming ‘Santa Claus Lane’ in the 1920s and 30s
12.18.2015
11:19 am
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Actress Mary Pickford affixing a
Actress Mary Pickford affixing a “Santa Claus Lane” sign on Hollywood Boulevard, 1928

The tradition of holding a Christmas parade on Hollywood Boulevard started 1928 as a way to encourage shoppers to spend money at the various businesses along the Boulevard of broken dreams. Known as the “Santa Claus Lane Parade,” the event also gave movie stars a vehicle to promote themselves and their latest pictures by featuring their glamorous head-shots in the middle of giant wreaths or riding in a car along the parade’s almost four-mile route.
 
The Marx Brothers in the Santa Claus Lane Parade, 1938
The Marx Brothers in the Santa Claus Lane Parade,1938
 
Claudette Colbert, Santa Claus Parade, 1932
Actress Claudette Colbert posing with her wreath along the Santa Claus Parade route, 1932
 
The parade took a break during WWII but then returned in 1945 and continued under its original name until 1978 when it was renamed the “Hollywood Christmas Parade” which is still happening every year. The massive metal trees lining the boulevard were over ten-feet tall, as were the equally huge Santas that dwarfed onlookers during the entire month of December. I’ve got a nice selection of captivating images from the early days of Santa Claus Lane that will hopefully give your spirits a much needed lift, as they did mine.
 
Santa Claus Lane Parade float, 1931
Santa Claus Lane Parade float, 1931
 
The first Santa Claus Lane parade, 1928
The first Santa Claus Lane parade, 1928
 
Santa Claus Lane Christmas tree, 1930s
 
More after the jump…

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Posted by Cherrybomb
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12.18.2015
11:19 am
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