Monthly Archives: August 2025

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 6, 1944

Posted on August 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 6, 1944: Jennifer Jones is a strange, restrained, shy girl, Louella Parsons says. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, August 2025

Posted on August 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and look at William Mann’s forthcoming “Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood.” Continue reading →

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Aug. 5, 1947: Hitchhiking Couple Confess to ‘Kiss of Death’ Murder

Posted on August 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 5, 1947: Joseph Hardy and Lois Hunt were hitchhiking and killed a California man who picked them up. They pulled off in a forest in Nevada and Hardy excused himself while Lois began kissing James W. McLain. Hardy came back and shot McLain three times in the head. After burying McLain, they took his car, gambled away his money and flipped his car. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 5, 1944

Posted on August 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 5, 1944: Veronica Lake might not get cast in ‘Duel in the Sun’ as she’s starring in Miss Susie Slagle’s at RKO, Louella Parsons says. If your birthday is today: Things may appear a little difficult. Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Aug. 4, 1959

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1959: Matt Weinstock writes about Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield’s continuing fight against ‘Lady Chatterly’s Lover.’ And maids these days are asking prospective employers if they have air conditioning. Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 4, 1959

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1959: Paul Coates with the real (well, maybe) story of why Simon Rodia began the Watts Towers. Continue reading →

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Aug. 4, 1947: Patsy, Teenage Polio Patient, Dreams of Going to a Rodeo

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1947: Patsy Pfeifer, 14, has two ambitions: One is to see a rodeo. The other is to walk, having contracted polio around Christmas 1942. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have some mysterious guests. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Roy D’Arcy: The Man With the Devilish Grin

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory profiles Roy D’Arcy, a famous actor of the silent era whose career declined to B pictures. He eventually he became a real estate agent. Continue reading →

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Aug. 4, 1907: Galveston Plan Brings Russian Jews to Southwestern U.S.

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1907: In July, 50 Russian Jews arrived in Galveston, Texas, aided by the Jewish Territorial Organization. The Galveston Plan brought about 10,000 Jews to America between 1907 and 1914. Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 3, 1959

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1959: Paul Coates writes about a letter he received from a distraught 18-year-old who can’t afford counseling for mental illness. Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Aug. 3, 1959

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1959: Matt Weinstock writes about wily smokers who avoid paying the 30-cent fee when buying from cigarette vending machines. Continue reading →

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Aug. 3, 1947: ‘Kingsblood Royal’ by Sinclar Lewis Leads Bestseller List

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1947: Sinclair Lewis’ ‘Kingsblood Royal’ is the bestselling novel in Los Angeles, followed by ‘The Prince of Foxes,’ by Samuel Shellabarger, and ‘Gentleman’s Agreement,’ by Laura Hobson. John Gunther’s ‘Inside U.S.A.’ is the bestselling nonfiction book. Continue reading →

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Aug. 3, 1907: Gasoline Stove Explodes, Destroys House

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1907: Gasoline from a stove explodes, destroying a house. Mrs. William Morley was found dazed and stumbling around the smoking ruin of what had been her home. Continue reading →

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Flying Saucers Over L.A.!

Posted on August 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 2, 1960: Newspapers are full of stories about flying saucers over Los Angeles! Continue reading →

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Aug. 2, 1947: Los Angeles County Clerk Refuses Marriage License for Interracial Couple

Posted on August 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Her name was Andrea and she was 24. His name was Sylvester and he was 26, a World War II veteran working at Lockheed. And … Continue reading →

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Aug. 2, 1907: Dr. Lucy Hall-Brown Dies

Posted on August 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 2, 1907: A brief look at the life of Dr. Lucy Hall-Brown, a prominent woman physician. Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, August 1, 1959

Posted on August 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 1, 1959: Matt Weinstock has the story of a movie publicist trying to get the city’s permission to promote ‘The Big Circus’ by having a tightrope walker stroll on a wire strung from the roof of the Orpheum theater on Broadway. Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 1, 1959

Posted on August 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 1, 1959: In Paul Coates’ weekly letters column, a writer complains about a pet shop that balked on selling her a bobcat. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 1, 1944

Posted on August 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 1, 1944: Clark Gable is up for the biopic ‘The Life of Lucky Baldwin,’ says Louella Parsons. Horoscope for Leo: Similar indications for you as for Cancer now. Extra care advised in plans, arrangements for important projects. You can enjoy a useful day. Continue reading →

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