A One-Of-A-Kind Collection

The historic art deco building at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, known for decades as The Max Factor Building, holds significant cultural value as The Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles. Leading Golden Age Hollywood starlets such as Colbert, Turner, Harlow, Hepburn, Hayworth, Crawford, and Davis were regular clients. They frequented the first-floor salon for hair and makeup services. According to legend, Lucille Ball became a redhead, and Marilyn Monroe a blonde, in these stylized rooms.

Fortunately, these remarkable rooms remain intact and have some of the original Max Factor tools of the trade. The upper floors, where Max Factor once manufactured his pioneering makeup products, now form an integral part of  he museum. The museum features authentic costumes, posters, photographs, props, and even vehicles. Notably, it houses the world’s largest collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia.

Below the main floor is the Dungeon of Doom, showcasing an array of frightening items from decades of horror film history. This includes Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell set from the Academy Award-winning “Silence of the Lambs.”

The Ground Floor Includes The Max Factor Salon Dating Back to the 30’s

Just One of Many Incredible Things To Do In Los Angeles

Los Angeles is renowned for its extraordinary museums such as The Getty Center, The Getty Villa, LACMA, The Broad, MOCA, and The Hammer, each with unique and unparalleled collections. The Hollywood Museum stands out as a distinctive institution within Los Angeles, offering a must-visit experience for enthusiasts of history, film, television, and the celebrities who have significantly contributed to the entertainment industry.

This venue is best explored through a self-guided tour, and visitors should allocate at least a couple of hours to fully appreciate the permanent collection and special rotating exhibits. Dining options include Mel’s Drive-In next door or Musso and Frank Grill.  Musso dates back to 1919, so it was frequented by all the famous personalties mentioned above.  Most of the hosts, servers and bartenders at Musso have been there for decades and share their incredible Hollywood stories!

Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood

For those planning to visit this venue as part of their upcoming trip, Glitterati Tours offers convenient pick-up and drop-off services at this location for private tours of Beverly Hills.  

If sticking with the theme of early Tinsel Town history, we suggest our popular Golden Age of Hollywood tour.