Monthly Archives: December 2011

Navy Releases Accounts of Pearl Harbor

Posted on December 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1941: The Navy releases three personal accounts of the Pearl Harbor attack. Many acts of heroism are described, and these few lines shed more light on the presence of African Americans (recall that the armed services were segregated … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, African Americans, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Navy Releases Accounts of Pearl Harbor

‘Citizen Kane’ Movie of the Year

Posted on December 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 21, 1941: Philip K. Scheuer writes: “Citizen Kane”  is, for this column, picture of 1941. It would be that if only because it jolted Hollywood once again into realizing the possibilities of the screen as a storytelling medium in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Mysterious Mauser

Posted on December 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

We’re very curious at the Daily Mirror HQ these days about what sort of pistol Robert Downey Jr. is using in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” For example, in this picture he’s got a nice broomhandle Mauser. Notice that … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles City Hall is in the background. Where was this shot and what’s the movie?

Posted in Architecture, City Hall, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

December 19, 1941: Japanese Spy Ring Smashed, FBI Says

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

December 19, 1941: The suicide of Dr. Rikita Honda, who slashed his wrists while in custody at Terminal Island, revealed that he was the director of a vast spy ring, the FBI says.  Honda was head of the Imperial Comradeship … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Suicide, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on December 19, 1941: Japanese Spy Ring Smashed, FBI Says

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Image of a horse-drawn hearse, part of a group of five pictures listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $300. Queen of the Dead – dateline December 19, 2011 •  Word has come in of the long-expected but still sad … Continue reading →

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L.A. Christmas Card, 1911

Posted on December 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Olive and 5th via Google’s Street View. Notice the vacant lot where Philharmonic Auditorium used to be. Demolition is forever. This truly awesome 1911 Christmas card, showing Philharmonic Auditorium and part of what is now Pershing Square, has been listed … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, Architecture, Downtown, Preservation, Theaters | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Academy Awards Banquet Canceled; Oscars Postponed Due to War

Posted on December 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 18, 1941: Louis A. Tyler reports to the Navy recruiting office after receiving a telegram informing him of the death of his son, Fireman 3rd Class George L. Tyler,  at Pearl Harbor. “My purpose is to take my son’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Academy Awards Banquet Canceled; Oscars Postponed Due to War

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated +]

Posted on December 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

[Update: This is Evelyn Daw in the 1937 film “Something to Sing About,” in which James Cagney plays a bandleader.] Here’s a mystery lady from the amazing collection of Steven Bibb! There’s a new photo on the jump!

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

Former LAPD Chief Demoted to Lieutenant

Posted on December 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

Wake Island will fall to the Japanese on Dec. 23, 1941. Dec 17, 1941: Police Chief C. B. Horrall demotes former Chief Arthur C. Hohmann from deputy chief to lieutenant and assigns him to the Highland Park station. Hohmann, who … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, LAPD, World War II | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Former LAPD Chief Demoted to Lieutenant

Found on EBay – Mullen and Bluett

Posted on December 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

This photo of a window display at Mullen and Bluett, at Broadway and 6th Street, has been listed on EBay. This photo is undated and I would have pegged this as the 1940s, but The Times clips shows that Timely … Continue reading →

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The L.A. Daily Mirror Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on December 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here are some recommendations for things that might please a Daily Mirror reader. The out of print books can usually be found on Bookfinder.com. “Spencer Tracy: A Biography,” by Daily Mirror contributor James Curtis. “Hollywoodland,” by Daily Mirror contributor Mary … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Eve Golden, James Curtis, Marion Eisenmann, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s a mystery pair from the incredible collection of Steven Bibb – in the news business this pose is often called a “grip and grin.” [Update: Producer Harlan Thompson welcomes Gladys Swarthout to Hollywood to appear in “Champagne Waltz,” 1936. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Soldier Kills Civilian in Tragedy at Airport Checkpoint

Posted on December 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Terrific artwork from the incredible Milton Caniff. Dec. 15, 1941: A group of soldiers was stopping motorists on Sepulveda Boulevard near the airport to strip off blue cellophane that had been illegally put over the headlights in the new wartime … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

War Cancels Rose Parade, Dec. 14, 1941

Posted on December 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 14, 1941: The Rose Parade is canceled and the Rose Bowl – between Duke and Oregon State – is moved to Durham, N.C. The streets of Pasadena were oddly quiet on New Year’s Day as millions reviewed memories of … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo [Update]

Posted on December 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

Gosh, a mystery photo in color? Yes, thanks to Steven Bibb! And no, I can’t think of any Native Americans who actually dress like this, except for Hollywood Indians. [Update: This is Lisa Gaye. Please congratulate CandyC, Don Danard and … Continue reading →

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

Roundup of Aliens Overwhelms L.A. Jails, Dec. 13, 1941

Posted on December 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 13, 1941: The Daily Mirror HQ was thrilled to see a brief appearance by Jimmie Fidler in “Garden of the Moon,” so here he is, in case you ever wondered what he looked like. On the jump: Times artist … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Nightclubs, Nuestro Pueblo, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on Roundup of Aliens Overwhelms L.A. Jails, Dec. 13, 1941

Found on EBay – Witzel Photo of Sid Ziff

Posted on December 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

A Witzel photo of Sid Ziff, the Mirror’s sports editor from 1950 to 1962 and a sports columnist at The Times until his retirement in 1967, has been listed on EBay. Ziff was “one of the most controversial and opinionated … Continue reading →

Posted in 1991, Columnists, Found on EBay, Obituaries, Photography, Sports, Witzel | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s a mystery fellow, from the collection of Steven Bibb. [Update: This is Juan Varro. According to imdb, his roles include a gigolo in “Mighty Joe Young.” I don’t recall a gigolo in “Mighty Joe Young,” but I haven’t seen … Continue reading →

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

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: A model of a 1959 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay at $599.99. Queen of the Dead—dateline December 12, 2011 •  For all its youthquake aura, Laugh-In had a lot of middle-aged folks in its cast: the delightfully camp and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Eve Golden, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, Television | Tagged , | Comments Off on Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead