"Foot Patrol"

We see all sorts of things in the 25 minute film "Foot Patrol" (Los Angeles Police Department, c.1946) including aerial views of the city, scenes of building explosions, a gas station holdup, and an officer mistaking a mannekin being stuffed in a car for an abduction. It's just everyday life for a foot patrolman.  We're told every big city has a burlesque house the patrolman needs to keep an eye on. We get shots of two, both on Main St.

The view above is of the Burbank, 548 S. Main. It had been around since 1893, with its earlier decades spent as a major legit theatre. See the page about the Burbank Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more views. It survived until 1974.

The other burlesque house we visit is the Follies, at 337 S. Main. A little newer than the Burbank, it opened in 1904 as the Belasco. Like the Burbank, it was initially a class legit house but went to burlesque as the legit business moved west with the growth of downtown in that direction.

The signage on top of the marquee  with two silhouettes of girls and the word "Follies" rotates.

Here's the "Follies" lettering coming farther around.

One last one of the marquee.

A detail of a poster for our feature stripper Myrna Dean.

One of the non-major studio films playing with the stage show at the Follies this week: "Vice Trap."

Another film this week: "Girls of the Street."

A view of posters on the south side of the entrance advertising the strippers. 

See the page about the Follies Theatre for lots of history and many photos, including interior views. Like the Burbank, it too was demolished in 1974. A sad year for Main St.

The film is available for viewing on the USC Archives website.  Thanks to Noirish Los Angeles contributor Hoss C for finding the film in the USC collection. He has other screenshots from it on his Noirish post #36464.