Historic Echo Park
Echo Park History Quiz
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Question: What legendary Echo Park evangelist is named in the lyrics of the song "Hooray for Hollywood"?

Answer: Aimee Semple McPherson

Sister Aimee, as she was known,  was the charismatic founder of the International Church of the Four Square Gospel and Angelus Temple, which overlooks the lotus bed of Echo Park Lake. 

After arrving in Los Angeles in the early 1920s,  Sister Aimee virtually turned the religious establishment on its head from the moment she burst upon the scene as radio’s first female evangelist. She was a media darling whose activities were followed as closely as any Hollywood star. In fact, Sister Aimee was not shy about using some Hollywood showmanship to promote her church. During one sermon, Sister Aimee rode into her church on a motorcycle and yelled "Stop Sinner!" 

So, it's no surprise that  Sister Aimee is included in the song that celebrate's Hollywood zany nature. The lyrics to the "Hooray for Hollywood" are included below.

 Click here for more information on Sister Aimee.
  

Hooray for Hollywood
That screwy, ballyhooey Hollywood!
Where any office boy
Or young mechanic
can be a panic
With just a good-looking pan
And any barmaid
Can be a star maid
If she dances with or without a fan
Hooray for Hollywood!
Where you're terrific
if you're even good!
Where anyone at all from Shirley Temple
to Aimee Semple
is equally understood
Come on and try your luck
You could be Donald Duck
Hooray for Hollywood!

Hooray for Hollywood!
That phony, super Coney, Hollywood
They come from Chilicothes and Padukahs
with their bazookas
To see their names up in lights
All armed with photos
From local rotos
With their hair in curlers
and legs in tights
Hooray for Hollywood!
You may be homely in your neighborhood.
Still, if you think that you can be an actor
See Mister Factor
He'd make a monkey look good!
Within a half an hour
You'll look like Tyrone Power
Hooray for Hollywood!

Echo Park Historical Society        ephs@HistoricEchoPark.org        (323) 860-8874        P.O. Box 261039, Los Angeles, CA 90026