Monthly Archives: December 2024

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood and Poinsettias

Posted on December 9, 2024 by lmharnisch

In this installment of Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory looks at the history of the poinsettia plant. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 9, 2024 by lmharnisch

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

Posted in 1938, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 8, 2024 by lmharnisch

The Retro Holiday Shopping Guide: Melba Levick’s “The Big Picture: Murals of Los Angeles.” Wonderful paintings, most of them lost. One of my favorite’s is Kent Twitchell’s “Old Woman of the Freeway” featuring actress Lillian Bronson. Continue reading →

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A Firsthand History Lesson on Pearl Harbor

Posted on December 7, 2024 by lmharnisch

My seventh-grade history teacher, Rene Humbert, was at Pearl Harbor and the anniversary told the class about his experiences. This is his memoir. Continue reading →

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Raymond Chandler Auction Update

Posted on December 6, 2024 by lmharnisch

One of three John Engstead portraits of Raymond Chandler, a lot that sold for $512. The results are in for Doyle’s auction of Raymond Chandler items from the the Jean Vounder-Davis Collection.

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 6, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a repost from 2013. Whenever I’m asked about my favorite books on Los Angeles, my first recommendation is “Nuestro Pueblo,” a selection of features by Times artist Charles Owens and writer Joseph Seewerker that appeared in The … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 5, 2024 by lmharnisch

Today’s retro holiday shopping suggestion in Don Normark’s excellent book “Chavez Ravine, 1949.” Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 4, 2024 by lmharnisch

Photo by John Engstead / Courtesy of Doyle Auctions. Speaking of Raymond Chandler, Doyle Auctions is offering material from the the Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler to be sold Friday (Dec. 6).

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 3, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2020. Many years ago, the editor of the Los Angeles Times book review section (yes, the really, really odd one) insisted that publishers send him advance review copies and unbound galleys rather than … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 2, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a repost from 2013. Glen Creason’s book on maps of Los Angeles shows the many ways people have viewed the city over the years. I interviewed him for The Times in 2012 and fortunately for all concerned, … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘White Christmas’ Soothes the Home Front in 1942

Posted on December 2, 2024 by lmharnisch

Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale in “Holiday Inn.” Note: This is an encore post from 2015. Recognized today as one of the top selling singles and pieces of sheet music of all time, Irving Berlin’s “White … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 2, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1937 Warner Bros. film Green Light, with Errol Flynn, Anita Louise, Margaret Lindsay, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Walter Abel.

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 42 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 1, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a repost from 2013. True style never goes out of date, after all. We are being bombarded by stories about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with videos of long lines at stores and the attendant consumer frenzy. … Continue reading →

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