Nobody ever went broke under-estimating the instincts and taste buds of Hollywood tourists. I spent some time this afternoon touring the Hollywood Museum (1660 N. Highland Ave., one building south of Hollywood Blvd.) and it’s packed with genuine Old Hollywood artifacts — great posters, gowns and costumes, old publicity stills, old cameras, recreated sets, etc. It has a few 21st Century exhibits, sure, but the real kick is the authentic taste it provides of Hollywood of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.

So what are Joe and Jane Schmoe primarily patronizing in this neighborhood? Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Naturally. The bottom line, I suppose, is that interest levels in Hollywood’s big-studio era ain’t what they used to be. For most people the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s are the “old days.” Which they are, of course.

A 1965 British-made Rolls Royce once owned by Cary Grant.

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