Monthly Archives: February 2012

Hollis Mulwray House – Update

Back in July, I posted a photo showing renovations on the house at 1315 S. El Molino that was used in “Chinatown.” Here’s how it looks today.

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 1 Comment

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 6

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. In our last installment, I didn’t do all that well on … Continue reading

Posted in 1945, 1946, 1947, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, World War II | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Found on EBay – ‘Bert Williams: Son of Laughter’

Note: This post has been corrected. A rather bedraggled copy of “Bert Williams: Son of Laughter,” a tribute to the  vaudeville entertainer,  has been listed on EBay at $300. Although that might seem high, this is a fairly rare edition … Continue reading

Posted in 1923, African Americans, Books and Authors, Found on EBay, Libraries, Stage | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 5

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. I could probably spend another day on the intersection of Hollywood … Continue reading

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Academy Awards Edition [Updated +++]

I went into the archives at the Daily Mirror HQ for a special Academy Awards edition of mystery photos, figuring the Brain Trust would have fun guessing the venue, the year and possibly the mystery person on stage. [Update: I … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 46 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Photo: A Hot Wheels model of a customized 1963 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay at $6.50. Queen of the Dead – dateline February 27, 2012 •  Do you collect Instant Disaster books? I do. I have same-year accounts of the … Continue reading

Posted in Eve Golden, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Music, Queen of the Dead, San Francisco, Television | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

An EBay Mystery – Earl Carroll’s Inner Circle

One of the more intriguing mysteries I’ve come across in years of delving through EBay surfaced the other day, but the auction ended before I could write about it (so many stories, only one Larry Harnisch). The item was a … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

UCLA Provost Calls for a Return to Basics in Education

Feb. 25, 1942: UCLA Provost Earle Hedrick (d. 1943) describes the prevailing disdain for the “three Rs” as “the Pearl Harbor” of American education. Charging that American education is ruled by an elite clique, Hedrick says: “I propose that we … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Education, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 4

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Yesterday, in Part 3, I was exploring the history of Hollywood … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transportation | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Random Shot: N.Y. = L.A.

Look what I found last night outside the Last Book Store at 5th and Spring.

Posted in Books and Authors, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Photography | Tagged , | 2 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 3

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. You want to know about all the hot gossip in this … Continue reading

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 2

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Pages XI to X of “Full Service” set the scene on … Continue reading

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Libraries | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Times Editorial Praises Japanese Evacuation

Feb. 21, 1942: The Times editorial page praises the Japanese evacuation while scolding the government for its slow response. I think this is my favorite quote: … it is important to remember in case any situations of the kind arise … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, Front Pages, World War II | Tagged , | Leave a comment

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 1

“Full Service,” by Scotty Bowers with Lionel Friedberg. One of the guiding principles at the Los Angeles Daily Mirror is that history is not the exclusive domain of straight, white, Protestant males. As long as I have been blogging about … Continue reading

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Libraries | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Photo: 1947 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay at $1.950. Queen of the Dead — dateline February 20, 2012 I am no longer eating candy (ten pounds to go!), but when I did, I was rather fond of Lemonheads. I learned … Continue reading

Posted in Eve Golden, Fashion, Film, Music, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, Television | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Japanese Evacuation: Images of Executive Order 9066

Scott Harrison, my colleague on The Times photo desk, has posted a gallery of images from the evacuation of Japanese Americans in 1942. He plans to add to these photos, so check back for more.

Posted in 1942, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated ++]

And this movie would be?

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 49 Comments

GIs Want More Form in Women’s Uniforms — Olive Drab Too Drab!

Feb. 18, 1942: Pvt. Fred A. Ranker of the 3rd Coast Artillery begins a campaign against what he considers women’s unflattering uniforms. On his first pass since Pearl Harbor, Ranker dashed to Hollywood Boulevard. “Instead of the usual beauty parade, … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, Fashion, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Random Shot: Goodbye Whitney Houston

The Los Angeles Theatre was lit up with a tribute to Whitney Houston when I went to dinner last night, so I took a picture. Twilight was beautiful in downtown Los Angeles, which was bathed in those minutes of “magic … Continue reading

Posted in Downtown, Photography, Theaters | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Movieland Architectural Mystery — Solved

The Brain Trust has solved the mystery of the department store used in “The Public Enemy.” Thanks to Craig Deco, Lee Rivas and Nathan Marask! Here are our young ruffians (Frank Coghlan Jr. and Frankie Darro) sliding down the escalator … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Interior Design, Location Sleuth | Tagged , , | 2 Comments