For a larger view, click on the image. You can click on it a second time for an even larger image.

My thanks to Howard Hopwood for this rare and startling image of the view from the stage of the Earl Carroll Theater on Sunset Blvd looking out over the vast audience. In a later incarnation, the theater became the Moulin Rouge nightclub and is where the popular TV show Queen for a Day was filmed.

Susan says: “When you went to see a nightclub show here, it used to be very much worth it to tip the maitre d’ well, so you got seated in the choice first two tiers of tables. It was seen almost as an insult if you got seated in the 3rd tier. I saw lots of performers here in the 1950s. One of my faves was Sammy – gads he worked hard. His shows were so entertaining in the 50s. I always preferred going to Ciro’s over Frank’s Moulin Rouge however. Ciro’s was more upscale, with a cachet about it. You didn’t see tourists at Ciro’s typically – you did see them at Moulin Rouge. Moulin Rouge was more famous for visitors to the area, mostly from its prominence on the Strip. It was hard to miss that exterior, esp. at night. The name “Moulin Rouge” in itself attracted tourists. Ciro’s from the outside to a tourist, might be mistaken for a dinner steak house. Plus, I think tourists flocked there, thinking they would see something of a TV set/cameras possibly. The stage shows could be elaborate at MR – they were not elaborate at Ciro’s. But Ciro’s had better drinks. The food was better as well if you were there at Ciro’s to eat. I rarely was at Ciro’s to eat. The shows and performers at Ciro’s could really work the room and reach you, whereas MR was more of a dinner theater atmosphere, (unless they put you in the ‘cheap seats’ with no tables!) Moulin Rouge had a little Las Vegas showroom tossed in to its mix.