Monthly Archives: July 2016

Mary Mallory on Studio City Before the Studio

One more reminder that Mary Mallory will be speaking at 3 p.m. today at the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, 12511 Moorpark St. The event is free.

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Black Dahlia: Elizabeth Short’s Birthday

July 29 is Elizabeth Short’s birthday. Try to find some way to remember her that doesn’t involve dressing up as a bloody murder victim. Please.

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

This week’s mystery movie has been RKO’s first singing, talking and dancing picture, the 1929 film “Street Girl,” directed by Wesley Ruggles, with Betty Compson, John Harron, Jack Oakie, Ned Sparks, Guy Buccola, Joseph Cawthorn, Ivan Lebedeff, Doris Eaton, and … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – Hollywood Country Club

Editor’s note:  Mary will be giving a presentation on “Studio City Before the Studio: An Afternoon of Local History” on July 30 at 3 p.m. at the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, 12511 Moorpark St. This post … Continue reading

Posted in Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Parks, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1946 Twentieth Century-Fox film “If I’m Lucky,” with Vivian Blaine, Perry Como, Harry James, Carmen Miranda, Phil Silvers, Edgar Buchanan, Reed Hadley and Harry James’ Music Makers. The screenplay was by Snag Werris, … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Russell Ball — An Eye for Glamour

Doris Kenyon by Russell Ball, Motion Picture Magazine, 1928. Motion picture still photography, just like any brand marketing, is all about creating a recognizable and attractive product appealing to consumers and leading to sales. Going a step further, stills photography’s … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Prof. A. Victor Segno: Los Angeles’ Greatest Charlatan

  Prof. A. Victor Segno, my favorite Los Angeles charlatan, has surfaced on EBay. This envelope is addressed to the author of “How to Be Happy Though Married,” “How to Have Beautiful Hair” and many other books on self-improvement and … Continue reading

Posted in 1907, Found on EBay | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Sign Premieres November 1923

Jan. 6, 1924: The Times publishes a photo of an Oakland car that was driven up to the Hollywood sign. Note: Here’s a post from November 2013 for those who wrongly assume that the Hollywood sign was unveiled on July … Continue reading

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1952 picture “Jeux Interdits” (“Forbidden Games,”) based on the novel by Francois Boyer.  It was adapted by Jean Aurenche, Pierre Bost and director Rene Clement, with Georges Poujouly and Brigitte Fossey. The score … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: James Davies – Paramount’s Physical Culturist to the Stars

James Davies, left, gives Buster Crabbe a rubdown in “Search for Beauty,” with Robert Armstrong, right. Photo courtesy of Mary Mallory    American culture has seen each decade popularize certain fashion styles and body types, some of which fade quickly … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1944 Warner Bros. picture “The Doughgirls,” starring Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Jane Wyman, Irene Manning, Charlie Ruggles, Eve Arden and a large supporting cast of Warners players.  The screenplay was by … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 37 Comments

A Wartime Fourth of July: Los Angeles, 1942

Note: This is a post from 2015. Years ago, in researching Camp Cooke, I bought the diary of a soldier named Harry A. Rankin, who was stationed there in 1942 and early 1943 (and no, he doesn’t mention Elizabeth Short). … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, Black Dahlia, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Celebrates Fourth of July With Cricket Match, Bagpipe Contest

Note: This is a post from 2007. July 4, 1907 Los Angeles And how does Los Angeles celebrate Independence Day? With cricket matches and bagpipe contests.  

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Fashions, LAPD, Music, Parks, Streetcars | Leave a comment

L.A. Celebrates the Fourth of July, 1889 – 1960

July 4, 1944: Uncle Sam in a cartoon by Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale for the Los Angeles Examiner and republished in the Milwaukee Sentinel. Note: This is a post from 2014. Here’s a look at how Los Angeles has celebrated … Continue reading

Posted in 1863, 1907, 1910, 1947, 1957, 1960 | Tagged | Leave a comment

L.A. Fourth of July, 1863: Pic-Nics and Fire-Works

Note: This is a post from 2013 The complete July 4, 1863, issue of the Los Angeles Star is available from USC, which scanned  a copy at the Huntington. July 4, 1863: Los Angeles plans to celebrate the Fourth of … Continue reading

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The Bell & Howell Building Then and Now

716 N. La Brea Ave., via Google Street View, from 2014. Simple and elegant, 716 N. La Brea Ave. today remains little changed on the exterior as to how it looked when finished in 1931. It stands as a beacon … Continue reading

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