"The Forbidden"

We get this view of the Cinematheque 16 at 8816 1/2 Sunset Blvd. in "The Forbidden" (Olympic International, 1966). It's at the beginning of a tour of the Strip with shots highlighting various nightspots.

This "Mondo Cane" style mock-documentary takes us to nightclubs and other venues around the world -- wherever there's a chance to show sin and bare breasts. Performers in various sequences include Baby Bubbles, Bob Cresse and Pat Hall. The film was written and directed by Benjamin Andrews and Lee Frost. 

 

We get lots more footage of Sunset Blvd. revolving around a 1966 riot by teenagers protesting police enforcement of a curfew. Here we get a view of the Tiffany Theatre, 8534 Sunset Blvd. On the marquee is the theatre's opening film "Young Aphrodites" and an added second feature, Bergman's "Smiles of a Summer Night." 

See the pages about the Cinematheque 16 and Tiffany Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site.

 

Later we get footage introduced by the narrator with the line "We are now in the skid row area of a large Eastern city of the United States." A bit off as we're actually on Main St. in Los Angeles looking south toward 6th. On the right it's the Optic Theatre, 533 S. Main. On the left it's the Burbank Theatre, a burlesque venue at 548 S. Main. 

 

Continuing the drive south we can read the Burbank marquee: "On Stage - In Person - Chili Pepper - Sweet and Spice."  

 

 

 

As we get closer to 6th the Art Theatre comes into view on the right at 551 S. Main St. Across 6th on the right is the Central Building, now gone. On the left it's the Santa Fe building this side of 6th and the Pacific Electric Building across the street. Both have survived.  

 

And then we cut to this look at the facade of the Follies, 337 S. Main St. Despite the burlesque show we see advertised, the narrator describes it as a "converted theatre" that's now a school teaching respectable ladies how to be more seductive using the techniques of strippers. Of course we get pro and amateur demonstrations of twirling tassels.

See the pages about the Optic Theatre, Burbank Theatre, Art Theatre and Follies Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. None of these Main St. theatre buildings have survived. 

On IMDb: "The Forbidden"

The film is available on a DVD from Something Weird Video that also includes "ECCO," a similar film. 

"Change of Habit"

We spend a tiny bit of time on Main St. after a couple other downtown views at the beginning of "Change of Habit" (Universal, 1969). In this shot we're looking south toward 6th and behind Mary Tyler Moore we see the "Burlesk" lettering on the vertical sign at the Burbank Theatre, 548 S. Main St. But after this the rest of the adventure is strictly back lot stuff.

The film, directed by William A. Graham, also stars Elvis Presley, Barbara McNair, Jane Elliott and Ed Asner. The cinematography was by Russell Metty. Thanks to Sean Ault for spotting the theatre in the film and getting the screenshot.

See the page about the Burbank Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. This theatre had quite a career as a legit venue, burlesque house and occasional film theatre. It opened in 1893 and was demolished in 1974. 

 

A promotional shot appearing on IMDb. That "Theatre" vertical we see is for the Galway Theatre, 514 S. Main St. See the Galway Theatre page on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the venue. 

On IMDb: "Change of Habit" 

"Uptight"

45 minutes into Jules Dassin's "Uptight" (Paramount, 1968) we see Julian Mayfield going for a walk by the Galway Theatre, 514 S. Main St.

 

The story about Black revolutionaries, and a betrayal, is set in Cleveland. The film also features Raymond St. Jacques, Ruby Dee, Frank Silvera, Roscoe Lee Browne and Janet MacLachlan. Dassin, Mayfield and Dee share the screenplay credit. Boris Kaufman was the cinematographer. It's been noted that the inspiration for the film was John Ford's "The Informer" from 1935.  

 

 

 

Another Galway shot. 

 

 

 

A moment later we get a look at the vertical sign of the Burbank Theatre, 548 S. Main. 

 

 

A reflection of the Burbank's signage in the gutter.

See the Los Angeles Theatres pages about the Galway and the Burbank for many more photos and a history of these two theatres. Thanks to an anonymous movie watcher for spotting the scene with the theatres and sharing the information on the Galway page. The film can be seen in a great looking version on YouTube.

On IMDb: "Uptight"

"Illegal"

We get a fine panorama of the east side of the 500 block of Main St. in "Illegal" (Warner Bros., 1955). L.A. District Attorney Edward G. Robinson is in a hurry to get to a hospital to hear a confession from a dying man. It turns out he's sent the wrong guy to the electric chair. He resigns his position, becomes a defense attorney, and gets involved in a tricky situation with a local mobster.

Near the left is a view of the distinctive lettering of the Galway Theatre, 514 S. Main St. Over toward the right it's the Burbank Theatre, 548 S. Main, here with its vertical saying "New Follies" and cursive lettering saying "Burlesque" over the Burbank letters atop the readerboard. And on the far right it's the Santa Fe building at 6th and Main and, if you want to stay at the Hotel Cecil, they have a room for you for $1.75.

Lewis Allen directed the cast which also includes Nina Foch, Hugh Marlowe, Albert Dekker, Ellen Corby and Jayne Mansfield, making her screen debut. We also get some other nice Los Angeles location shots for chases and, of course, for going into court buildings.

See the Los Angeles Theatres pages about the Galway and the Burbank for many more photos and a history of these two theatres.

On IMDb: "Illegal"

A poster that appears with the film's listing on IMDb.

"Peek-A-Boo"

This view of the house curtain of the Burbank Theatre (aka the New Follies), 548 S. Main St., comes at the end of "Peek-A-Boo" (Billiken Productions, 1953). And that's about all we see of the theatre's interior. It's a filmed burlesque show featuring Venus, Patti Waggin, The Duponts, Leon DeVoe, Jennie Lee, Marlana, and others. Lillian Hunt, in charge of shows at the theatre, was the director.

See the page about the Burbank Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building.

The film is available from Something Weird Video on a disc with "Hollywood Burlesque," filmed at the Hollywood Theatre in San Diego. 

On IMDb: "Peek-A-Boo"

A poster for the film appearing on IMDb.

"B-Girl Rhapsody"

The burlesque feature "'B-Girl Rhapsody" (Broadway Roadshows, 1952) was filmed at the Burbank Theatre (aka the New Follies), 548 S. Main St. It's a film version of a stage show and we don't see anything of the theatre. It stars Lily Ayers and Crystal Starr. The direction was by James R. Connell and Lillian Hunt. Ms. Hunt managed the shows at the theatre. The film is available from Something Weird Video.

A poster for the film appearing on IMDb.

See the page about the Burbank Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building.

On IMDb: "B-Girl Rhapsody"

"Gypsy"

We get our first shot of a Los Angeles theatre in the titles of this 1993 made-for-TV version of "Gypsy." Among the bits of archival burlesque footage is this view, on the left, of the signage of the Burbank Theatre, 548 S. Main St.

The movie, directed by Emile Ardolino, stars Bette Midler as Mama Rose, Peter Riegert as Herbie, Cynthia Gibb as Louise/Gypsy Rose, Jennifer Rae Beck as June and Ed Asner as Pop. The show, based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, has a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

The Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway, is seen as an unnamed Seattle theatre in the first scene. The show is Uncle Jocko's Kiddie Show with Tony Shalhoub as Jocko. Note that the proscenium murals are draped. We'll be back later with them uncovered when the Palace is used as another theatre.

Mama Rose (Bette Midler) coming down the aisle at Uncle Jocko's Kiddie Show at the Palace.

Mama Rose coming onstage at the Palace.

The State Theatre, 703 S. Broadway, is the the theatre used for Weber's Theatre in Los Angeles. We're looking offstage right at the rigging beyond Mr. Weber. The stage floor looks brand new, doesn't it? It was probably installed for the film.

A murky look downstage right at Weber's. The dimmerboard is back there in the gloom.

A view of the State's rigging behind Weber and Mama Rose. There is a passage behind the pinrail/lockrail at the State. The curtain, fire extinguisher and painting were added for the production. 

Herbie and Mama Rose onstage at Weber's Theatre for the song "Small World."

Another Weber's Theatre shot with the rigging beyond.

A peek offstage left. The stairway in the corner goes to the State's dressing rooms.

As the couple heads offstage left through the scrim we see lights from the State auditorium as well as a bit of seating.

A number from the Baby June act onstage at Weber's. Judging by the height of the the musicians it appears that they didn't uncover the pit.

Next up is is an audition at T.T. Grandziger's Palace Theatre in New York. We're on the phone to the proprietor in his viewing box at the top of the balcony. The shots for this sequence were done at the State Theatre as well.

Herbie peeking on to announce that they are ready to go. We get several other looks offstage left during production numbers revealing a fake wall of brick.

A look offstage right for a peek at the rigging during an audition number.

Another part of the audition number at Grandziger's Palace.

A look at the musicians during the farm number at Grandziger's Palace.

Grandziger's secretary, Baby June, and Mama Rose onstage after the audition. They turn down the job as the theatre owner sees potential in June but Rose fears that it'll be the end of the act.

An hour into the movie a shot of the alley behind the Palace begins the number "All I Need Is The Girl."

A 2014 look up the exit passageway on the south side of the Palace. Photo: Bill Counter

In the alley with Tulsa (Jeffrey Broadhurst) looking south.

A 2017 look south down the alley toward 7th St. Photo: Mike Hume

An alley view looking north. Note they've put a deck down for shooting this sequence -- the truck's wheels are down below the surface Louise and Tulsa are on.

Another alley view looking north. 

The Palace as yet another theatre. Here it's a burlesque theatre in Wichita. Louise and Mama Rose are offstage right. That's the theatre's original dimmerboard on the left.

 Miss Mazeppa (Linda Hart) onstage at the Palace as the burlesque house in Wichita for the number "You Gotta Get a Gimmick."

Another view across the stage at the Palace during the "Gimmick" number. Mazeppa does it with a trumpet.

Gypsy onstage at the Palace as the Diamond Burlesque in Detroit. The number is a reprise of "Let Me Entertain You" that began with her first strip in Wichita. 

The Orpheum, 842 S. Broadway, puts in an appearance as Minsky's Burlesque Theatre.

 

Gypsy on the runway at the Orpheum.

Mama Rose onstage at the Orpheum for the number "Everything's Coming Up Roses."

Rose and Gypsy at the end of the show's final number.

Thanks to Mike Hume for most of the screenshots. Visit his Historic Theatre Photography site for photos and data about the many theatres he's explored. He has pages devoted to the Palace, Orpheum and State. 

See the Los Angeles Theatres pages on the State, Orpheum, Palace and Burbank theatres for more history and many photos.

On IMDb: "Gypsy"