Monthly Archives: January 2020

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: L.A. Master Chorale’s ‘Sunrise’ Soars

Posted on January 29, 2020 by lmharnisch

Composer Jeff Beal provided new voice to F.W. Murnau’s lyrical silent film “Sunrise” on Sunday, Jan. 26, with a mystical, otherworldly score for chamber orchestra and the 40 voices of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Emphasizing the mysterious alchemy of … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 27, 2020 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1960 Twentieth Century-Fox film “Seven Thieves,” with Edward G. Robinson, Rod Steiger, Joan Collins, Eli Wallach, Alexander Scourby, Michael Dante, Berry Kroeger, Sebastian Cabot, Marcel Hillaire and John Beardino. Screenplay by Sydney Boehm from … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Oh Doctor’ Welcomes Prohibition

Posted on January 27, 2020 by lmharnisch

Popular culture often comments on social and political issues of the day when citizens have no other way to voice opinions, change policy, or confront government. During the early years of the 20th century, sheet music provided a running commentary … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920, Crime and Courts, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 20, 2020 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1950 Warner Bros. film “Stage Fright,” with Jane Wyman, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Wilding, Richard Todd, Sybil Thorndike, Kay Walsh, Miles Malleson, Hector McGregor, Joyce Grenfell, Andre Morell, Patricia Hitchcock and Ballard Berkeley. With Alistair … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Athletic Club Trains Filmdom’s Elite

Posted on January 20, 2020 by lmharnisch

The Hollywood Athletic Club, Photoplay, 1924. Note: This is an encore post from 2015. In the 1910s and 1920s, social clubs were all the rage in Los Angeles and surrounding communities. Many people immigrated to Southern California’s sunny shores pursuing … Continue reading →

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

Black Dahlia: Trim Your Roses on Jan. 15 to Remember Elizabeth Short

Posted on January 15, 2020 by lmharnisch

Today is Jan. 15, the anniversary of Elizabeth Short’s death. As is the custom, the Daily Mirror will be dark. Trim your roses in her memory.

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black Dahlia: BlackDahliaSolution.Org Is Utter Nonsense

Posted on January 14, 2020 by lmharnisch

I usually don’t publish the crackpot comments I get about the Black Dahlia case, but the anniversary of the killing (Jan. 15) is bringing out more than the usual amount of crazy stuff. So I’ll make an exception for this … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Chicago, Cold Cases, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Leesa Jo Shaner – Back in the News

Posted on January 13, 2020 by lmharnisch

Photo: Leesa Jo Shaner Note: This is an encore post from 2011. Paula Zahn’s new piece on the case has renewed interest in the killing.  William Floyd Zamastil was convicted in 2011 in the killing. An attempt to resolve one … Continue reading →

Posted in 1973, Cold Cases, Homicide | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Mack Sennett, Theater Owner

Posted on January 13, 2020 by lmharnisch

The Woodley Theatre, from Motography, July 14, 1917. Comedy king Mack Sennett recognized the self-promotion power of owning his own movie theater long before film studios owned theater chains or Netflix looked to acquire the Egyptian Theatre. In 1917, savvy … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 13, 2020 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1940 Republic film “Dark Command,” with Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Walter Pidgeon, Roy Rogers, George Hayes, Porter Hall, Marjorie Main, Raymond Walburn, Joseph Sawyer, Helen MacKellar, J. Farrell MacDonald and Trevor Bardette. Screenplay by … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Mary Astor’s Lost Film ‘New Year’s Eve’

Posted on January 6, 2020 by lmharnisch

Since TCM is featuring Mary Astor, here’s a brief post on her lost movie “New Year’s Eve.” (A tip of the hat to Lou Lumenick, who tweeted about the movie on — New Year’s Eve.) I also uploaded a version … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Scandal: The Trial of Mary Astor’ Premieres on TCM

Posted on January 6, 2020 by lmharnisch

Note: “Scandal: The Trial of Mary Astor” will air at 8 p.m. Monday on TCM. This is a post from 2018. Alexa Foreman, who was TCM’s head researcher for many years, will be featured in a Q&A session on her … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 6, 2020 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1950 MGM picture “Black Hand,” with Gene Kelly, J. Carrol Naish, Teresa Celli, Marc Lawrence, Barry Kelley, Frank Puglia and Mario Siletti. Screenplay by Luther Davis from a story by Leo Townsend. Photography by … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Immigration, Mystery Photo, New York | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Teddy the Dog, Mack Sennett’s Best Friend

Posted on January 6, 2020 by lmharnisch

Teddy the dog with a Mack Sennett bathing beauty, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2015. Guide, guard, and constant companion, the friendly dog is man’s best friend. Unswervingly loyal and supportive, canines give much … Continue reading →

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Mystery Movies for 2019 — Arranged by Studio

Posted on January 1, 2020 by lmharnisch

“State Fair” was one of the mystery movies from Fox – and not commercially available, unfortunately. And here’s a breakdown of 2019’s mystery movies by studio. This is the first time I have analyzed the studios behind the mystery movies … Continue reading →

Posted in 2019, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mystery Movies for 2019 — Arranged by Year

Posted on January 1, 2020 by lmharnisch

Mary Astor in “Two Arabian Knights,” one of four mystery movies from the 1920s. I thought it would be fun to analyze last year’s mystery movies to see if I accomplished my goal of providing variety. I generally go from … Continue reading →

Posted in 2019, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Rose Parade Encounter Leads to Killing of Arcadia Woman

Posted on January 1, 2020 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013 Aug. 9, 1963: “In Saigon, 400 miles to the south, police geared for trouble as a young, unidentified monk announced plans to burn himself to death in the continuing Buddhist struggle for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1963, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Religion, Vietnam | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

War Cancels Rose Parade, Dec. 14, 1941

Posted on January 1, 2020 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post from 2011. Dec. 14, 1941: The Rose Parade is canceled and the Rose Bowl – between Duke and Oregon State – is moved to Durham, N.C. The streets of Pasadena were oddly quiet on New … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Tom Treanor, World War II | Leave a comment