Monthly Archives: February 2015

Marion Eisenmann on Etsy

Posted on February 23, 2015 by lmharnisch

Marion Eisenmann, who contributed such wonderful artwork to the Daily Mirror, has opened an Etsy shop. She’s offering a selection of mugs and cups with her artwork (we own two, and the morning grouch has become one of our favorites). … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Artist's Notebook, Food and Drink, Marion Eisenmann | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 23, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1942 Columbia picture “You Were Never Lovlier,”  the second of two movies to feature Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. It stars Adolphe Menjou (not shown), Isobel Elsom (Wednesday’s mystery woman), Leslie Brooks (Tuesday’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 58 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘The Road Is Open Again’ Promotes Optimism

Posted on February 23, 2015 by lmharnisch

  “The Road Is Open Again,” via YouTube.   In times of adversity and challenge, catchy songs or phrases have captured Americans’ imaginations, rallying spirits and action. Though written in 1929, the tune, “Happy Days Are Here Again,” was first … Continue reading →

Posted in 1933, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mystery of Jocko the Monkey

Posted on February 16, 2015 by lmharnisch

Eve Golden recently shared this photo of Leatrice Gilbert, the daughter of John Gilbert and Leatrice Joy. The question was the identity of the gentleman with the monkey. Thanks to Mary Mallory, we have a partial answer. The monkey was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 16, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was “The Big Combo,” a 1955 movie released by Allied Artists, starring Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte (Friday’s mystery gent), Brian Donlevy (Thursday’s mystery fellow), Jean Wallace (Friday’s mystery woman), with a young Lee Van Cleef (Thursday’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Alex Kahle Shoots the Angles

Posted on February 16, 2015 by lmharnisch

Virginia Bruce, courtesy of Mary Mallory. When most people think of motion picture stills photographers, they think of such renowned portraitists as George Hurrell, Ruth Harriet Louise, Clarence Sinclair Bull, and Eugene Richee, who created the glamour and iconography of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Vintage Slides of the Black Dahlia? Probably Not

Posted on February 13, 2015 by lmharnisch

A scan of one of the transparencies being offered on EBay. This is from an unidentified Western. A vendor has listed a lot of about 500 transparencies that were owned by a “Hollywood filmmaker.” A bit of research indicates that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Book Review: ‘Dead to Me’ by Mary McCoy

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

Last week’s mail brought us an advance copy of “Dead to Me” by our longtime friend Mary McCoy of the Los Angeles Public Library, one of the leading lights among those of us who research L.A. history and a past … Continue reading →

Posted in 1948, 2015, Books and Authors, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Minus the Black Dahlia and George Hodel: ‘Man Ray and Human Equations’

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Washington Post has published an interesting review by Philip Kennicott of an exhibit at the Phillips Collection of Man Ray’s works. And yes, there isn’t a single mention of the ridiculous allegations about Ray, Dr. George Hodel and the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, 1947, Art & Artists, Black Dahlia, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery replacement movie was the 1951 Twentieth Century-Fox picture “Elopement,” starring Clifton Webb (Friday’s mystery feet),  Anne Francis (not shown) Charles Bickford, William Lundigan (Wednesday’s mystery chaps), Reginald Gardiner (Thursday’s mystery gent), Evelyn Varden (Tuesday’s mystery woman) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 48 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Studio City Nightclubs Jazz Up San Fernando Valley

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Zomba Cafe in “The Loved One,” about the 1:38 mark. Thanks to its geographic location and its proximity to entertainment industry businesses, Studio City has served as the home for eclectic restaurants and nightclubs providing a variety of amusement … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Nightclubs, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Stewart Stern on ‘Rebel Without a Cause’

Posted on February 7, 2015 by lmharnisch

Eve Golden forwards this interview conducted with the late Stewart Stern, in which he commented on his screenplay for “Rebel Without a Cause”: As he has noted elsewhere, “Rebel Without a Cause” is inspired by [the play “Peter Pan”] — … Continue reading →

Posted in 1955, Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What I’m Reading

Posted on February 6, 2015 by lmharnisch

Yesterday’s mail brought two long-anticipated books. The recently published “Missing Reels” by Farran Smith Nehme and an advance copy of Mary McCoy’s “Dead to Me.” I may do nothing but read this weekend.

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Black Dahlia: From the Archives, 1998

Posted on February 5, 2015 by lmharnisch

  One of my projects while on sabbatical is digitizing my old videotapes. And look what I found!

Posted in 1998, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD, Television | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Last Remaining Seats 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Los Angeles Conservancy has announced the films for its 2015 Last Remaining Seats series. I wish I could be more enthusiastic about this year’s LSR, because the conservancy does terrific work, but the programming is about as adventuresome as … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Coming Attractions, Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo Bonus Edition

Posted on February 3, 2015 by lmharnisch

Here’s a true mystery photo, sent along by a member of the Brain Trust. The young girl in this photo is Leatrice Gilbert, the daughter of Leatrice Joy and John Gilbert. The question is whether anyone can identify the man … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 2, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s movie was the 1926 MGM silent picture “Exit Smiling” with Beatrice Lillie (one of Friday’s mystery guests) and Jack Pickford (Thursday’s mystery guest). The story was by Marc Connelly, screenplay by Sam Taylor and Tim Whelan with titles … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Marc McDermott, Man of Dignity

Posted on February 2, 2015 by lmharnisch

Marc “MacDermott” on the cover of Motion Picture News. Cultured and dignified whether playing lecherous aristocrats or burdened family men, Marc McDermott and his subtle acting drew accolades from critics and the public throughout his almost twenty year film career. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments