(25 Sep 1996) English/Nat
In Moscow, thousands gathered outside the world's latest Planet Hollywood restaurant to catch a glimpse of stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gerard Depardieu and Patrick Swayze.
At the opening ceremony, Schwarzenegger, who part owns the multi-million dollar restaurant chain, promised it would "bring Hollywood to Moscow."
Planet Hollywood is the latest in a series of pricey restaurants opening up in post- Soviet Russia catering to the country's newly rich.
Moscow turned on the glitz for the opening of one of Hollywood's most successful exports - the restaurant chain - Planet Hollywood.
Post-Soviet Moscow now boasts a wide array of pricey restaurants, casinos and bars and other establishments catering to flashy new rich.
But Planet Hollywood is one of its biggest catches yet.
Thousands of Russians crammed into the streets surrounding the new Planet Hollywood for the event.
Moscow police even had to close off a main thoroughfare to accommodate the huge crowds.
They had gathered, not to eat at the restaurant, but to catch a glimpse of the famous movie stars.
But there was no doubting who was the favourite - Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born former Mr. Universe turned Hollywood star, whose action movies are wildly popular in Russia.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The idea of Planet Hollywood is to bring Hollywood to Moscow."
SUPER CAPTION: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Film Star
And when Arnie tried the traditional Russian welcome of bread and salt the crowd went wild.
Another popular choice was film star Patrick Swayze, as was the French actor Gerard Depardieu.
At a news conference, Schwarzenegger thanked the crowd for making his movies so popular.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I have had a tremendous amount of fans here in Russia that have supported my films and everything else that I've done. So I hope that we get the same support for our restaurant."
SUPER CAPTION: Arnold "Arnie" Schwarzenegger, Film Star
The Moscow Planet Hollywood is the 37th outlet in the chain.
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