Brothels in Old Hollywood
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In the era of old Hollywood, brothels were an integral part of the secret lives of movie stars and influential figures. Let’s talk about the most popular places and personalities associated with them.
Brothels
Francis House
“Francis House” on Sunset Boulevard was one of Hollywood’s most famous brothels. Its clients included stars such as Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, and Jean Harlow. Francis also supplied girls directly to film sets and the homes of her famous clients. Gable, for example, often received such “packages” right in his dressing room. The house offered not only intimate services but also luxurious conditions with costumes and makeup, creating the images of celebrities.
Francis House was popular in old Hollywood in the 1930s, and until 1940 it continued to be a popular place among celebrities until it was closed after a raid. During this raid, Francis Wylie (the founder and owner of Francis House), her girls, boys, and clients were arrested.
“In Hollywood, a starlet is any woman under thirty who is not working in a brothel.” —
Ben Hecht.
Mae’s
The brothel “Mae’s,” managed by madam Billy Bennett, was also one of the most famous and popular brothels in Hollywood, attracting many celebrities and influential entertainment industry figures in the 1930s and early 1940s. The brothel was funded by MGM, ensuring a high level of service and confidentiality for clients. The girls working at “Mae’s” underwent plastic surgery, makeup, hairdressing, and styling to look like Hollywood stars, making the establishment unique. By the way, in the film “L.A. Confidential” (1997), you can see the very brothel.[1]
Mae’s also closed in the early 1940s due to public pressure, raids, arrests, scandals, and corruption.
Personalities
Alla Nazimova’s Parties
Alla Nazimova, a Russian-American actress and producer, hosted famous parties at her mansion “Gardenia Lane.” These parties were known for their luxury and extravagance. Guests could enjoy exquisite dishes and drinks, as well as various entertainment programs. Nazimova, an open bisexual, invited many influential people from the world of art and cinema, creating an atmosphere of freedom and creativity. Her parties became legendary and symbolized the excesses and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age.
In 1927, facing financial difficulties, Nazimova decided to transform her luxurious residence into a hotel. She added several villas and renamed the place “Garden of Allah Hotel.” This place became popular among celebrities and bohemians of that time, such as Marlene Dietrich and Errol Flynn.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the hotel was a social center, but by the 1950s, its popularity began to wane. The place lost its former luxury and became more mundane.
In 1959, the hotel was sold and demolished. A Lytton Savings bank building was built on its site, which also did not survive to this day. By 2023, a vacant lot remained on the site of the former “Garden of Allah.”
Brenda Allen
In the 1940s, Brenda Allen managed more than 100 girls and had strong connections with the police, allowing her to avoid arrest for almost ten years. Her business brought in $9,000 a day, and many influential people were her clients. Allen was arrested in 1948, causing a major scandal and the resignation of several police officials.
Madam Alex
Madam Alex, whose real name was Elizabeth Adams, managed the international business “Beverly Hills Madam” in the 1970s-80s, serving clients including even Saudi princes. She earned millions of dollars but was caught by the police and sentenced to probation. Alex avoided jail time, likely by threatening to reveal the names of some police officers.
“Welcome to Hollywood! The land of opportunity and dirty money.” © Hollywood Homicide (2003)
Conclusion
The brothels of old Hollywood and the personalities associated with them played a significant role in the shadowy life of the film industry of that time. These places and people were an integral part of Hollywood history, reflecting its glamour and hidden side of the lives of celebrities.
Both then and now, most (if not all) celebrities know about each other’s hidden lives. All the orgies, affairs, and other scandals are known to everyone in this small elite community. It is known because everyone is somehow connected to it: organizing, participating, just stopping by to watch, or hearing from friends who attended such events.
Over the past 100 years, the speed of information transmission has increased significantly. Now we learn all the news instantly, just by scrolling through social media feeds. The problem is that Hollywood has always been associated with fame and sex. And both then and now, we often hear about various scandals: legal battles, drug problems, abuse, and, of course, sex scandals. And all these news often involve our favorite screen stars. Those we see every evening watching a series or on weekends going to the cinema. Such a way of life with such enormous popularity greatly corrupts society. And nothing changes…
To date, we are either in search of existing studies, or we will conduct our own later.
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Author: Egor Burya
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