Monthly Archives: September 2011

Coming Attractions: Cheryl Crane

Photo: Cheryl Crane and Lana Turner in court. Credit: Los Angeles Examiner collection, USC. April 5, 1958: Cheryl Crane is held in the death of Johnny Stompanato. Mary Mallory points out that Cheryl Crane will be discussing her new book, … Continue reading

Posted in 1958, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Last Bookstore Is Selling Vinyl

The last time I was buying lots of vinyl, I was concentrating on classical music and soundtracks, so there isn’t much jazz at the Daily Mirror HQ. On Sunday at the Last Bookstore, I stocked up on Erroll Garner and … Continue reading

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Found on EBay – Mullen & Bluett

This 1917 postcard from Mullen & Bluett advertising Straw Hat Day has been listed on EBay. For many years, menswear stores in Los Angeles promoted Straw Hat Day or Straw Hat Week at the beginning of summer. And, of course, … Continue reading

Posted in 1917, Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated +]

[Update: This is Nell O’Day (d. 1989).] Here’s another mystery photo courtesy of Steven Bibb! There’s another photo on the jump.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Photo: “One of a kind” customized 1993 Cadillac hearse with satellite dish  for sale on EBay at $6,000 with reserve. Queen of the Dead – dateline September 12, 2011 •  The restoration of the Habsburgs becomes less likely (OK, it … Continue reading

Posted in Eve Golden, Film, History, Queen of the Dead, Television, World War II | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Jesus Unsaved? [Updated]

Photo credit: Eric Richardson/Blogdowntown. Eric Richardson of Blogdowntown reports the removal on Saturday night of the famous JESUS SAVES neon signs from the former United Artists theater. No word as to their destination. I have queried Nathan Marsak, our favorite … Continue reading

Posted in Downtown, Religion | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Los Angeles City Hall, Sept. 11, 2011

Photo: City Hall, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. Credit: Larry Harnisch/LADailyMirror.com

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A Revolution in Research

Image: Rohwer Camp #23. Credit: Butler Center for Arkansas Studies

Posted in Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Libraries, Native Americans, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Revolution in Research

Zoot Suit Files: Intelligence Report on Subversives

Sept. 24, 1942: Intelligence officer B.L. Canaga compiles a report on subversives that might be active in the 11th Naval District. His list includes communists, Japanese, Falangists, Sinarchists, Italians, Germans and acts of sabotage: “Many prominent and wealthy motion picture … Continue reading

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California Raises Speed Limit to 55 mph!

Sept. 10, 1941: California gets ready to raise the speed limit to 55 mph and the Auto Club will be posting new signs. That’s right, the Auto Club posted highway signage. Jimmie Fidler says: There’s something sadly amiss when an … Continue reading

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated ++]

[Update: This is Leon Janney (d. 1980)]. Here’s our mystery fellow, courtesy of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Database of Slave Names Going Online

Image: “Christ Carrying the Cross Dragged by a Rogue.” The Virginia Historical Society is compiling a database of slaves and owners. The database, which will go online Wednesday, contains the names of 1,400 slaves and 180 owners, according to Eve … Continue reading

Posted in Art & Artists, Crime and Courts, Genealogy, History, Libraries, Museums, World War II | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Database of Slave Names Going Online

Hitler Dead Soon, Hungarian Astrologer Says

Sept. 9, 1941: The Times publishes the amazing predictions of Hungarian “astro-philosopher” Louis De Wohl! He says Adolf Hitler is mentally ill. Check. He says Hitler doesn’t have long to live. Well, depending on how you define “long.” And the … Continue reading

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Baseball, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

John Wilkes Booth Site for Sale – Civil War Reenactors Not Included

Photo: Cleydael. Credit: Motley’s Auction and Realty Group. Three historic buildings in Texas’ Bastrop State Park were lost in the recent wildfire, but many other structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps have survived, according to Ben Wear of the … Continue reading

Posted in 1859, Architecture, Crime and Courts, Film, Homicide, Stage, Theaters | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Mystery Film of Los Angeles [Updated]

Photo: Nathan Marsak tests the latest Ford. Curbed LA’s link to this 1917 Ford travelogue on Los Angeles has been passed around until I finally saw it. How many of these locations do you recognize? Here’s footage of streetcars and … Continue reading

Posted in 1917, Downtown, Film, Mystery Photo, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged | 6 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Here’s today’s mystery photo, courtesy of Steven Bibb! [Update: This is Linda Ware, who was billed as the next Deanna Durbin. The fellow imitating President Roosevelt is R.D. Parker, who was elected Chief Grouch of 1939 by the Grouch Club. … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Nazi Swastika on Hollywood Hills!

Image: “I guess I’m a fool,” she panted. Credit: This Week magazine, Los Angeles Times Sept. 7, 1941:It’s Sunday in Los Angeles, and although Pearl Harbor is three months away, concern about the impending war is everywhere. Someone even changed … Continue reading

Posted in 1941, Books and Authors, Film, History, Hollywood, Music, Radio, Religion, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Good Way to Scan Negatives

I rarely post non-historic items from EBay, but this one is worth mentioning. It’s a CanoScan 9950F, which handles negatives – and does a good job. These scanners have (of course) been discontinued by Canon, and don’t show up terribly … Continue reading

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

International Spy Museum Is Hiring!

Photo: The International Spy Museum offers “Dinner With a Spy.” Credit: International Spy Museum. The International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., has a job opening for director of guest services (and security!) The ideal applicant must have excellent team building … Continue reading

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‘Zoot Suit’ and History – Navy Reports

Feb. 6, 1942: Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox warns against “loose talk.” Credit: National Archives. I returned from Saturday’s trip to the National Archives in Riverside with more than 200 images of historic documents. It’s going to take some … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, 1943, Crime and Courts, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ‘Zoot Suit’ and History – Navy Reports