Monthly Archives: December 2024

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

Posted on December 31, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from January 2020. 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 … Continue reading →

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

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — Pisco Punch

Posted on December 31, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Just in time for New Year’s, we’ll take a look at a “lost drink,” making a brief inquiry into San Francisco’s Pisco Punch, made famous by Bank Exchange saloon owner Duncan Nicol … Continue reading →

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Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is January 7

Posted on December 31, 2024 by lmharnisch

Boxie and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on the Black Dahlia case Tuesday, January 7, at 10 a.m. Pacific time, on YouTube and on Instagram.

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide – The Queens Cocktail

Posted on December 30, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Joe Vogel asks if there was a Queens Cocktail. The answer is yes. According to the Jamaica Long Island Daily Press, Jan. 24, 1935, the Queens Cocktail debuted at the Hotel Commodore … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Pickford Headlines 1933 Rose Parade

Posted on December 30, 2024 by lmharnisch

Photo: Mary Pickford in the 1933 Rose Parade. Courtesy of Mary Mallory Note: This is a 2012 post with a slight update. The 136th Rose Parade is Wednesday. Tomorrow sees the 124th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena,  welcoming … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 30, 2024 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mystery fellow. Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 29, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Brooklyn Cocktail

Posted on December 28, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Yes, the Manhattan cocktail once had competition from drinks named for the other boroughs. Here’s a recipe for the Brooklyn Cocktail, from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 7, 1937. The Brooklyn Cocktail … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: The Harvey Wallbanger

Posted on December 27, 2024 by lmharnisch

A vintage 1972 iron-on transfer of Harvey Wallbanger himself, on EBay for $12. Note: This is a repost from 2013. We have been looking at some historic drinks for this holiday season. To the millennials in the audience: This is … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: A Brief History of the Tom and Jerry

Posted on December 26, 2024 by lmharnisch

A recipe for the Tom and Jerry from the San Francisco Call, June 30, 1912. Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Over on Facebook, Christopher McPherson asked whether the Tom and Jerry was named for the MGM cartoon … Continue reading →

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Al Martinez, a Dying Boy and Some Peaches — A (Non) Christmas Story

Posted on December 25, 2024 by lmharnisch

The history of a Al Martinez’s (non) Christmas story about a dying boy who wanted some peaches. Continue reading →

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Dec. 14, 1907: L.A. Schools Ban Mention of Christ at Christmas (Uh-Oh)

Posted on December 24, 2024 by lmharnisch

Dec. 14, 1907: Los Angeles residents are furious after the school superintendent bans the mention of Christ at Christmas. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The Story of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’

Posted on December 23, 2024 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory looks at the history of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 23, 2024 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow. Continue reading →

Posted in 1939, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide: ‘Making Black Los Angeles’

Posted on December 16, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2018. I only recommend books that I have read, which is why I haven’t listed Susan Orlean’s “The Library Book” or Stephen Gee’s “Los Angeles City Hall: An American Icon.” I look forward … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Altadena’s Lovely Christmas Tree Lane

Posted on December 16, 2024 by lmharnisch

Christmas Tree Lane in a vintage postcard, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2012. Nothing says Christmas like the sight of beautiful outdoor twinkling lights lending a bit of romanticism and happiness to the holiday … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 16, 2024 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious lad. Continue reading →

Posted in 1939, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – December 17

Posted on December 15, 2024 by lmharnisch

Reminder: Boxie and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on George Hodel and Steve Hodel on Tuesday, December 17, at 10 a.m. Pacific time on YouTube and Instagram. Can’t make the live session? Email me your questions … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 11, 2024 by lmharnisch

The Daily Mirror Holiday Shopping Guide: David Lewis’ “The Creative Producer: A Memoir of the Studio System.” #Books Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 10, 2024 by lmharnisch

Retro Shopping Guide: “The Los Angeles Book” (1950) featuring wonderful photographs by Max Yavno, who was responsible for so many iconic shots of L.A. Continue reading →

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