Monthly Archives: May 2017

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 29, 2017 by lmharnisch

This week’s movie has been the 1946 Monogram Pictures film “In Fast Company” with the Bowery Boys. 

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 44 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: San Francisco Silent Film Festival Salutes World Cinema

Posted on May 29, 2017 by lmharnisch

  For those who find it difficult to get to Bologna’s Cinema Ritrovato or Pordenone’s Le Giornate del Cinema Muto, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, scheduled June 1-4) highlights classics of silent film the world over right here in … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 22, 2017 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1937 Paramount film “True Confession,” with Carole Lombard, Fred MacMurray, John Barrymore, Una Merkel, Porter Hall, Edgar Kennedy and Lynne Overman. It was produced by Albert Lewin, from a screenplay by Claude Binyon … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 54 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Equitable Building Double Art Deco Pleasure on Hollywood Boulevard

Posted on May 22, 2017 by lmharnisch

Superimposed photograph showing the Bank of Hollywood building as it will appear with the completion of the 12-story annex, photo courtesy of Mary Mallory.   One of Hollywood’s first height limit buildings, the lovely Equitable Building, has proudly stood at … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hats Off to Black-Foxe Military Institute

Posted on May 15, 2017 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013.   Long before there were Tiger Moms, many parents stressed discipline and hard work to their school-age children. Boys were often enrolled in military prep schools to learn discipline, rigor and fortitude … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929, Education, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 15, 2017 by lmharnisch

  This week’s mystery movie has been the 1931 RKO picture “Consolation Marriage,” with Irene Dunne, Pat O’Brien, John Halliday, Myrna Loy, Lester Vail and Matt Moore.  It was produced by William LeBaron, directed by Paul Sloane, with scenery and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

Black Dahlia: Black Dahlia Voodoo Doll Listed on EBay

Posted on May 9, 2017 by lmharnisch

One of the strangest Black Dahlia items I have ever seen – a “Black Dahlia Voodoo Doll” — has been listed on EBay, complete with a box and a set of spells. The vendor says:

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Found on EBay, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

RIP: Dave Pell, Jazz Musician 1925 – 2017

Posted on May 8, 2017 by lmharnisch

Veteran jazz musician and record producer Dave Pell has died at the age of 92, according to his Facebook page. Here are excerpts of an interview I did in 2007. (The full interview is at latimes.com.) Dave Pell on Lenny … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, 2017, Mickey Cohen, Music, Nightclubs, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Character Actor Spec O’Donnell Lights up the Screen

Posted on May 8, 2017 by lmharnisch

  Spec O’Donnell and Maxine Tadacome, Exhibitors Herald, 1923.   Long a favorite of classic film fans for his infectious grin and mischievous onscreen personality, Walter Davis “Spec” O’Donnell gained fame for the explosion of freckles which covered his face. … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 8, 2017 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1951 RKO picture “The Whip Hand,” with Carla Balenda, Elliott Reid, Edgar Barrier, Raymond Burr, Otto Waldis, Michael Steele, Lurene Tuttle, Peter Brocco, Lewis Martin, Frank Darien and Olive Carey. The screenplay was … Continue reading →

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

‘Mort Sahl: Last Man Standing’ by James Curtis

Posted on May 2, 2017 by lmharnisch

Folks, please give a little love to the publication today of “Last Man Standing,” James Curtis’ new biography of Mort Sahl, who transformed standup comedy from mother-in-law gags to cutting political commentary. James, known for his biographies of W.C. Fields, … Continue reading →

Posted in 2017, Books and Authors, Stage | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 1, 2017 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1939 Warner Bros. picture “Women in the Wind,” with Kay Francis, William Gargan, Victor Jory, Maxie Rosenbloom, Eddie Foy Jr., Sheila Bromley, directed by John Farrow, from a screenplay by Lee Katz and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 53 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: California Sunshine Lures Filmmakers in 1910

Posted on May 1, 2017 by lmharnisch

  Downtown Los Angeles in 1906, contrasting it with the destruction in the San Francisco earthquake. While romantic stories proliferate of how early independent filmmakers in the 1910s traveled to Los Angeles to escape the patents men of the Motion … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment