Follies Theatre

337 S. Main Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Additional Info

Architects: Abraham M. Edelman, Simeon Charles Lee

Previous Names: Belasco Theatre, Republic Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Follies Theatre

The Belasco Theatre opened in the early-1910’s and was briefly renamed Republic Theatre from December 23, 1912 presenting vaudeville, before being renamed Follies Theatre in 1919.

It was remodeled by architect S. Charles Lee in the 1930’s.

The Follies Theatre was demolished in May 1974.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 73 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 10, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Here is a November 1966 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/qo8z4g

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm

Here is part of an article about the demolition dated 5/31/74:

The end, when it came this weekend, was mercifully swift. A few well-aimed wrecking balls and the tottering old Follies Theater at 327 S. Main St. fell in upon itself like the collapsing star it was.

Built originally as the Belasco Theater and opened in 1904 as the Los Angeles home of the celebrated Belasco Stock Co., the landmark managed to cling to an aura of respectability only for little more than a decade. But as the theater district moved south, the Belasco name was withdrawn to be used on another theater in the 900 block of S. Hill St. and the Main St. house became forever more a home of burlesque.

From World War II on, it was a downhill slide for the musty old theater, as burlesque went the way of vaudeville and both were replaced with cheap skin flicks. The Follies was raided, closed and then reopened half a dozen times before it was finally abandoned to the bulldozers. The old Follies, the last burlesque house in Los Angeles, will fulfill its destiny as just another parking lot.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 14, 2009 at 9:27 am

Here is the USC photo from the teens that I posted a while ago:
http://tinyurl.com/ycdswbb

lynnsally
lynnsally on February 8, 2010 at 2:44 pm

Thank you for this information! I am working on a biography of Dixie Evans, The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque. The Follies Theatre was the first burlesque theatre she performed at (around 1952) and she discusses some of the acts that were there. Seeing images helps me contextualize her stories. Thanks again!

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 13, 2010 at 6:56 pm

Any time. This theater is one of my favorites.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 7, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Here is a nice view of the Follies:
http://tinyurl.com/43beddx

Matthew Prigge
Matthew Prigge on August 24, 2012 at 3:44 pm

If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!

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