April 30, 1940: “Look for screams from stellar biggies when Los Angeles fire officials start enforcing the new ordinance banning trailer dressing rooms from sound stages,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Wot’s this about Italian envoy Dino “The Charmer” Alfieri and a certain Nazi officer’s wife? More on the jump.

Jan. 30, 1943: A setback for Italian diplomacy.