In the mid-20th century, while New York blossomed with numerous gay-friendly bathhouses, Los Angeles’s landscape was notably different. According to historical overviews, the city’s bathhouse culture was less prevalent, partly due to scandals surrounding some establishments like the Arcadia bathhouse, which faced notoriety after a series of drownings. By the 1910s and 1920s, luxury hotels, private clubs, and vacation homes had begun to replace public bathhouses, making the latter a fading relic for Angelenos.
Yet, a few bathhouses managed to thrive, one of the most notable being the Finlandia Baths in Hollywood. Situated in the basement of the Bing Crosby building on Sunset Boulevard, this Finnish male-only sanctuary opened in 1937 and quickly became a discreet yet popular retreat for Hollywood’s rising male stars during the 1940s and 1950s. According to a Modern Screen magazine feature from 1950, stars such as Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, Scott Brady, John Bromfield, and Hugh O’Brian were regulars at Finlandia, using it as a space to relax and blow off steam.
The 1950 article paints a vivid, if subtly coded, picture of the atmosphere within Finlandia. It captures moments of playful interaction among these actors, describing how adjusting the heat in the steam room elicited teased reactions, notably between Tony Curtis and his fellow bathers. The piece is remarkable for its veiled tone that hints at a camaraderie and freedom of expression that was rare to see openly discussed in that era’s mainstream media. This closeted openness adds a fascinating layer to the understanding of Hollywood’s hidden social dynamics at the time.
Photography from the period reinforces this narrative. Iconic images capturing Rock Hudson in moments of relaxation at Finlandia have become emblematic of the bathhouse’s role as a social hub for Hollywood’s elite. These photos, including one where the actor appears to be receiving a massage, lend a tangible sense of the environment where some of Hollywood’s most alluring men gathered. Blogs and historical retrospectives emphasize how Finlandia served as more than just a bathhouse—it was a discreet refuge for many actors navigating their public and private lives in a strongly heteronormative industry.
Additional insights from local Sunset Strip histories confirm Finlandia’s status as a favourite haunt for stars such as Humphrey Bogart and Rock Hudson, placing the bathhouse as an integral piece of Hollywood’s broader social history. Despite its significance, the exact fate and closing date of Finlandia Baths remain unclear, though its photographic legacy and the stories from those who frequented it have etched it into collective LGBTQ+ memory.
The connection between Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis at the baths also deserves mention. Various sources document their camaraderie and shared moments in this hidden enclave, illustrating the nuanced bonds forged in these spaces far from the public eye. This reflects not only personal friendship but also the shared experience of maintaining private lives amid Hollywood’s intense scrutiny.
Interestingly, Rock Hudson’s association with bathhouses extended beyond real life into his film career. A 1963 movie, A Gathering of Eagles, features a steamy bathhouse scene with Hudson, which was, perhaps ironically, portrayed through a strictly heterosexual lens. This blending of on- and off-screen realities adds complexity to our understanding of Hudson’s public persona and private life.
Although Finlandia Baths is no longer operating, its role as a legendary retreat for some of Hollywood’s most handsome and talented men endures. The confluence of historical records, vintage photography, and personal anecdotes ensures that Finlandia occupies a special place in both the history of Hollywood and gay cultural memory.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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