Monthly Archives: September 2014

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 10, 1944

Posted on September 10, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 10, 1944 The influence of Andre de Toth, the director, has been very important in the life of Veronica Lake. She is no longer the girl who doesn’t care. She cares very much now what people think of her, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

$400 to Hear the Beatles in Mono? You Must Be Kidding!

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

“The Beatles in Glorious, Non-Lifelike Monaural,” listed on Amazon at $374.98. Dear Millennials and aging Baby Boomers with too much money: Just say no. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of vinyl and have several thousand discs that … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Dear TCM

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

Dear TCM: Once again, you are airing Melanie Griffith’s “tribute” to Jean Harlow, which is dreadful in every way. I suppose it seemed like a good concept to have a “modern” (well sort of) blond bombshell discuss Harlow. But it … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 28

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

Detective Mark McPherson, played by Dana Andrews in the film version of “Laura.” In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Why Be Good?’ Celebrates the Jazz Age

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

  “I’m Thirsty for Kisses” from “Why Be Good?” listed on EBay at $8.49. A pulsating, dynamic salute to the jazz-mad, anything goes generation, the restored Colleen Moore feature, “Why Be Good?” features entertaining performances and gorgeous design set to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 9, 1944

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 9, 1944 Danton Walker says: Jackie Gleason (“Follow the Girls”), who originally got his start in burlesque, will play the role of a press agent for a burlesque company in his first picture for 20th Century-Fox. Louella Parsons says: … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo — Tennessee Williams’ Edition

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

A member of the Brain Trust has called my attention to a gent appearing in the film of Tennessee Williams’ “Suddenly, Last Summer,” a movie I have never seen. Apparently this fellow, who plays Sebastian Venable, is unidentified and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Stage | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Carlos Valdez Lozano: L.A., Friday Night

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

Paramount Ballroom, 2708 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., via Google Street View.   Note: Here’s a post from my Times colleague Carlos Valdez Lozano about an adventure he had with the late George Ramos and former Times reporter Robert J. Lopez. … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Buster Keaton’s ‘The Italian Villa’

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

Note: As many of you know, Mary Mallory’s father passed away, so in her absence we’re running one of her most popular posts, from 2012.  Buster Keaton seemed to have it all in the mid-1920s. His career was riding high, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 film “We Live Again,” directed by Rouben Mamoulian, starring Anna Sten and Fredric March.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Cinecon Film Festival Screens Forgotten and Historic Films

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

“Paths to Paradise,” Photoplay, July – December 1925. Another year and another Cinecon Film Festival has come and gone. Started 50 years ago as an opportunity for classic film lovers and collectors to come together to view long unseen films, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 5, 1944

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1944: “One Touch of Venus” has been sold to the movies, with Mary Pickford obtaining the rights. Continue reading →

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1943 on the Radio – The New York Philharmonic

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 1943: The New York Philharmonic with pianist Claudio Arrau, conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos, performs Darius Milhaud’s (pronounced  “Mil-low”)  “Suite Provencale,” Lizst’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and a Ravel’s orchestration of  Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”  Courtesy of otronmp3.com. … Continue reading →

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Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

Harry Truman, friend of libraries! Sept. 5, 1944 Maria Fierro of 879 1/2 Lookout Drive decided to go dancing with Robert Fierro (apparently her brother) and Robert Gomez at a cafe in the 4600 block of Brooklyn Avenue (now Cesar … Continue reading →

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‘Most Books Are Never Fact-Checked’

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

We are shocked! Shocked! That books aren’t fact-checked! Yes, I mean you, “Hollywood Babylon” and “Severed,” who live on the lowest rungs of the literary ladder. But that goes for you too, “The Fixers,” “Full Service” and “City of Nets.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Sept. 4, 1781: Los Angeles Is Founded

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 4, 1926:The Times publishes a map showing the streets of the day, noting the changes made since Ord’s survey. Sept. 4, 1981: Mayor Tom Bradley and actress Bernadette Peters cut the cake for Los Angeles’ 200th birthday Jan. … Continue reading →

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LAPD Parker Center Cop Shop Files DR 73-402-191

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I was given a box of material that was cleaned out of the old press room after Parker Center closed. The items consist of photos, press releases and random bits of ephemera. There is … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Sept. 4, 1944

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

The U.S. Secretary of State, who is offstage director for the Dumbarton Oaks conference on postwar security is shown in this excellent portrait by Karsh. Secretary Hull welcomed the delegates to Washington. Last week, Mr. Hull talked with John Foster … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 4, 1944

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 4, 1944 Danton Walter says: Brazil and Colombia plan to cut coffee exports to the U.S. if the OPA price ceiling isn’t lifted … FDR has requested James Byrnes to hold up his resignation until after election day … … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 27

Posted on September 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

  Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) and Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price) in “Laura.” In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering … Continue reading →

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