Monthly Archives: December 2011

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

Here’s a mystery couple – are they celebrating New Year’s? – from the collection of Steven Bibb. [Updated: This is Johnny Sands. Please congratulate Don Danard for identifying him and Dewey Webb for identifying the film! Steven Bibb thought the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged | 10 Comments

Hubble: No Evidence of ‘Big Bang’ Theory

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

Dec. 31, 1941: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Hollywood Palladium with Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich AND Frank Sinatra … plus Connie Haines and the Pied Pipers. John P. Varnum has a cute little racket. He pretends to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Music, Nightclubs, World War II | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – Mack Sennett’s Rose Parade Gag

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

Photo: “The Sleuths at the Floral Parade.” Credit: Mary Mallory, the Collections of the Margaret Herrick Library. The Tournament of Roses Parade is going on its 122th year, and grows more elaborate and beautiful every year.  Bands, floats, cars, horses, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

OK, it’s an MGM production. But what film uses this green background at the opening?

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged | 8 Comments

L.A. Women Are Slackers in Fighting the Axis!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

Dec. 30, 1941: It seems that local women didn’t get the memo about the being the “Greatest Generation.” They’re a bunch of slackers in the war against the Axis and don’t want to work as air-raid wardens. “Los Angeles women … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Streetcars, Theaters, Tom Treanor, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Found on EBay — Silverwoods

Posted on December 29, 2011 by

This Stetson Royal De Luxe from Silverwood’s has been listed on EBay. Silverwood’s was one of the leading menswear stores in Los Angeles, so I’m not sure why the vendor has described this as a woman’s hat. Bidding starts at … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 29, 2011 by

Here’s today’s mystery photo from the collection of Stephen Bibb. [Update: This is Hal Le Roy. Plese congratulate Suzanne Annette Stone, Mary Mallory, Dewey Webb, Eve Golden, Don Danard, Mike Hawks, Bob Hansen and Rick Scott for identifying him. ]

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

4 Die as Streetcar Crushes Auto

Posted on December 29, 2011 by

Photo: 115th Street and Hawthorne Boulevard via Google’s Street View. Dec. 29, 1941: A streetcar heading north on Hawthorne Boulevard hits an automobile at 115th Street after the driver, apparently blinded by rain, entered the intersection. “The streetcar struck the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Radio, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Found on EBay – Witzel Photo

Posted on December 28, 2011 by

This photo of two dancers from Witzel studios has been listed on EBay. Unfortunately, there’s no information on the women’s identities. Bidding on this photo starts at $4.99.

Posted in Dance, Found on EBay, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

How to Wear a Hat – ‘The Grapes of Wrath’

Posted on December 28, 2011 by

As Tom Joad, just paroled from prison, Henry Fonda wears a newsboy cap all through “The Grapes of Wrath,” with costume design by Gwen Wakeling. Let’s take a look. ALSOHow to Wear a Hat — Newsboy Cap Edition How to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940, Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Tires Put Under War Rationing; Youths Beat Japanese Student

Posted on December 27, 2011 by

Dec. 27, 1941: Tom Treanor says that some Japanese Americans are upset that Chinese Americans are wearing badges to indicate they aren’t Japanese. Mrs. E.J. Horton writes about a “Japanese schoolboy who got mobbed” and Mrs. Dill Nance “says she … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood, Stage, Theaters, World War II | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

Photo: 1206 N. Kingsley Drive via Google’s Street View. I was watching a certain film the other day and what should flash by but a California driver’s license. Google would reveal the answer, so the character’s name has been snipped. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – Mary Pickford Day

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

Los Angeles in 1923 was a bustling, growing, optimistic place.  The town recognized all sorts of interesting people and topics, saluting them with their own days.  There were Raisin Day, Prune Day, Father-and-Son Day, Fireless Cooker Day, and many others … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

Photo: 1996 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay, with bids starting at $4,900. Queen of the Dead – dateline December 26, 2011 •  Kitchener is dead! No, not the World War I field marshal with the fabulously lush moustache, who died … Continue reading →

Posted in Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, World War II | 2 Comments

Merry Christmas From 1911

Posted on December 25, 2011 by
Posted in 1911, Theaters | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Japanese Sub Torpedoes 2 Ships off California Coast

Posted on December 25, 2011 by

Dec. 25, 1941: Crew members of the Absaroka, which was hauling lumber, recount being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine at an undisclosed location off the California coast. One man was crushed by piles of lumber after rescuing a shipmate who … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Music, Nightclubs, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 24, 2011 by

[Update: This is Chick Chandler in "Steel Town." Please congratulate Don Danard, RJ, Dewey Webb, Mike Hawks and Rick for identifying him.] Here’s a mystery guest who knows how to wear a hat. And the jacket’s not bad, either. From … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Japanese Sub Sinks Tanker Near Morro Bay

Posted on December 24, 2011 by

Dec. 24, 1941: Japanese submarines attack two U.S. tankers, with explosions that are heard  as far inland as in San Luis Obispo, sinking a 7,272-ton Union Oil ship. Capt. Olaf Eckstrom of Inglewood says a torpedo struck the ship directly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Religion, Theaters, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on December 23, 2011 by

This black taffeta dress by David Brown for Bullock’s Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $14.99.

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on December 23, 2011 by

Dick Powell admires his books, back in the days when all authors smoked pipes. I caught the 1952 film “The Bad and the Beautiful” the other night and was struck by this window display showing copies of “The Proud Land.”

Posted in 1952, 1953, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 2 Comments