Los Angeles, CA - Since 1960, the Hollywood Star Lanes has been a place
of community and entertainment. For the past 40 years, this bowling alley
has been open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week... it's neon sign beckoning
to travelers and the local community alike.
Hollywood Star Lanes ... neon's last days?
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Check out the big star at Hollywood Star Lanes in Los Angeles. Rising above Santa Monica Boulevard, this neon marquee had enough personality to advertise more than a few games of bowling. With its flashing lights and oversized shape, the sign looked ready for a little Hollywood attention of its own.
There was no need to dress up for this star attraction. A pair of rental shoes would do just fine. Behind the marquee were 32 lanes, where league bowlers and people simply looking for something to do could spend an evening trying to keep the ball out of the gutter.
Hollywood Star Lanes (Demolished)
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Sal Garcia
The bowling alley opened in January 1961, joining the wave of Southern California bowling centers that made recreation into a roadside spectacle. These places often came with eye-catching rooflines, colorful interiors, and signs that could hold their own against nearby restaurants and theaters. Hollywood Star Lanes brought its own version of that showmanship to the boulevard.
The star was a fitting choice for the neighborhood. After dark, the neon gave motorists a landmark to watch for, while the lettering made the invitation clear. Even anyone with little interest in bowling had something to appreciate from the sidewalk. Sometimes the best score of the evening was a photograph of the sign.
Original sign all lit up back in the day Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Inside, the place carried on with the familiar sounds of a bowling night. Balls rolled down the lanes, pins scattered, and someone somewhere probably insisted that the last shot should have been a strike. For decades, Hollywood Star Lanes was part of the neighborhood’s everyday entertainment, the sort of place that became familiar through repeated visits rather than a grand occasion.
Then the bowling alley found itself in a movie.
Well, the years have not been good to many a ten pin alley, and word
has it that the Hollywood Star may be next on the demolition list. Yes, the Los Angeles Unified School District wants to build a school
district on the property.
Hollywood Star Lanes served as the principal bowling location for the 1998 film The Big Lebowski. The Coen brothers’ movie put the lanes behind the Dude, Walter, and Donny, turning a local bowling center into a destination recognized by viewers far beyond Los Angeles. The place didn’t need a new theme or a polished makeover to look right on screen. Its existing atmosphere was part of the appeal.
Hollywood Star Lanes (Demolished)
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Sal Garcia
The production used traditional paper scoring, preserving a detail that suited the setting. After filming, the location fees helped pay for electronic scoring equipment. Apparently a little time in the movies could improve the scorekeeping, even if it couldn’t improve anyone’s aim.
Unfortunately, being recognizable didn’t guarantee survival.
Former lettering area
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
The Los Angeles Unified School District sought the property for a new elementary school to relieve overcrowding. After unsuccessful acquisition negotiations, the district obtained the site through eminent domain. The old bowling center’s future was settled, and neither its neon star nor its screen appearance could change the outcome.
The final farewell came in August 2002, with dollar-priced bowling, food, and beer bringing people back for one more visit. It was a chance to roll a last game, look around, and say goodbye to a place that had been part of the boulevard for more than four decades. The lanes would soon disappear, along with the building and the enormous roadside star.
The mural on the wall
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Fortunately, a few pieces found their way out before demolition. The metal “Hollywood” neon lettering was saved for the Lucky Strike bowling venue at Hollywood and Highland. Wood from lane seven was also reused in the bar, giving part of the old playing surface another job.
Those remnants were welcome, though they could only carry a small part of the place with them. The full attraction had been the combination of the sign, the building, the lanes, and the people who kept returning. Once the site was cleared, Santa Monica Boulevard lost a landmark that had announced a night of bowling with considerably more flair than necessary.
More graffiti
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
UPDATE: The great neon of the Hollywood Star Lanes shut down
for the first and last time on August 7, 2002 to make room for plans by the LA
Unified School District. . Since then, the lot has sat vacant and here
are photos of what's become of the property since.
UPDATE: The site of the former Hollywood Star Lanes is now home to Kingsley Elementary School. 11-13
UPDATE: Hollywood Star Lanes at 5227 Santa Monica Boulevard closed in August 2002 and was subsequently demolished for Kingsley Elementary School. Its “Hollywood” lettering and material from lane seven were salvaged and incorporated into the Hollywood Lucky Strike location. The original neon star marquee is gone. 10-26
Hollywood Star Lanes ... neon's last days?
Original sign all lit up back in the day
Well, the years have not been good to many a ten pin alley, and word
has it that the Hollywood Star may be next on the demolition list. Yes, the Los Angeles Unified School District wants to build a school
district on the property.
Former lettering area
The mural on the wall
More graffiti
