Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 20, 2016 by lmharnisch

  This week’s mystery movie has been the 1934 MGM picture “Sadie McKee,” with Joan Crawford, Gene Raymond, Franchot Tone, Edward Arnold and Esther Ralston. The movie was produced by Lawrence Weingarten from a screenplay by John Meehan, adapted from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 51 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland’s First House

Posted on June 20, 2016 by lmharnisch

  2716 Woodhaven Drive as shown in a Studebaker promotional brochure, courtesy of Steve Vaught’s Paradise Leased blog.   On March 31, 1923, publicists trumpeted the news that a great sub development known as Hollywoodland had begun operation at the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Architecture, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Black Dahlia: A Crime Graphic Novel by James Ellroy, David Fincher, Matz and Miles Hyman

Posted on June 13, 2016 by lmharnisch

Take a close look: “The Black Dahlia ™.” Does that mean the publisher is trying to trademark “The Black Dahlia?”  Good luck with that.   I picked up a copy of the new graphic novel version of James Ellroy’s “The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Art & Artists, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 13, 2016 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery production has been the TV series “Johnny Staccato,” starring John Cassavetes, which aired 27 episodes on NBC in the 1959-1960 season. The mystery episode was “Fly Baby, Fly,” featuring Cassavetes,  Gena Rowlands (his wife), Howard Freeman, Dort … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 39 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Julian Eltinge Says ‘I’m at Your Service, Girls’

Posted on June 13, 2016 by lmharnisch

  One of the most famous female impersonators of all time, but now also one of the most forgotten, Julian Eltinge stood as one of the most successful headliners of the early 1900s, setting attendance records at vaudeville and theatre … Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Stage | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Julian Eltinge Says ‘I’m at Your Service, Girls’

Black Dahlia: Can You Identify the Black Dahlia? (Updated)

Posted on June 8, 2016 by lmharnisch

I thought an animated gif of the two images would make it easier to see the similarities or differences between the two photos. Which woman in the above images is Elizabeth Short? 1. Woman No. 1 is Elizabeth Short. 2. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Black Dahlia: Can You Identify the Black Dahlia? Part 2

Posted on June 7, 2016 by lmharnisch

Here’s another photo comparison. And be sure to take a good look.

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: 2016 S.F. Film Festival Offers Appetizing Selection

Posted on June 7, 2016 by lmharnisch

“Beggars of Life,” courtesy of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.   The just concluded Twenty First Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival featured a strong weekend of thoughtful and powerful films and music from all over the world. The … Continue reading →

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

ALLIES INVADE FRANCE! JUNE 6, 1944; Complete Radio Coverage

Posted on June 6, 2016 by lmharnisch

The headline and map by Charles Owens from The Times. June 6, 1944: Complete radio coverage of the D-Day Invasion. This was pool coverage using correspondents from various news organizations. By 10 a.m., CBS had resumed regular programming with news … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 6, 2016 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1937 MGM picture “Night Must Fall,” with Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell, Dame May Whitty, Alan Marshal, Merle Tottenham and Kathleen Harrison, ominous music by Edward Ward, photographed by Ray June, directed by Richard … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 57 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: First National Studios, Now Warner Bros., Turns 90

Posted on June 6, 2016 by lmharnisch

  An aerial view of First National Studios in Burbank, Motion Picture News, 1926.   First National Studios, now known as Warner Bros. Studios, celebrates its 90th birthday on June 15, 2016. Basic construction was completed on the original studio … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: First National Studios, Now Warner Bros., Turns 90

Mary Mallory/ Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Cafes Then and Now

Posted on May 30, 2016 by lmharnisch

  The Hi-Land Kwik Lunch, 1714 Highland Ave., courtesy of Mary Mallory.   Thanks to vintage photograph, films, and ephemera, buildings still live on, even if eventually they were demolished and/or replaced. Sometimes thankfully they still survive. Here is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 30, 2016 by lmharnisch

  This week’s mystery movie has been the 1934 Universal picture “Imitation of Life,” with Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Rochelle Hudson, Ned Sparks, Louise Beavers, Fredi Washington, Baby Jane, Alan Hale, Henry Armetta and Wyndham Standing. The film was directed … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 69 Comments

Black Dahlia: Can You Identify the Black Dahlia? (Updated)

Posted on May 28, 2016 by lmharnisch

OK, let’s have some fun. Does either of these photographs show Elizabeth Short? 1. The woman on the left is Elizabeth Short. 2. The woman on the right is Elizabeth Short. 3. Both women are Elizabeth Short. 4. Neither woman … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

Black Dahlia: Dr. George Hodel, Here We Go Again

Posted on May 28, 2016 by lmharnisch

The latest on Steve Hodel’s allegations, in the Guardian. There are several thousand things I would rather do that poke holes in Steve Hodel’s “theories” once again. As long-time readers know, I have been fact-checking Steve Hodel’s “case” against his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Black Dahlia: Matthew Mezger, My No. 1 Troll, Is Dead

Posted on May 24, 2016 by lmharnisch

I hadn’t gotten any brickbats from Mr. Mezger in a couple of years and wondered whether I successfully blocked him everywhere or whether something had happened to him. I decided to Google him and found that he died of cancer … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD, Obituaries | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

‘Mad Men’ Props Auction June 1

Posted on May 23, 2016 by lmharnisch

Props from “Mad Men,” including Peggy Olson’s moving box, are going up for auction June 1. More info here.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 23, 2016 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1932 Warner Bros. – First National Picture “Silver Dollar,” with Edward G. Robinson, Bebe Daniels, Aline MacMahon, DeWitt Jennings, Robert Warwick, Russell Simpson, Harry Holman, Charles Middleton, Emmett Corrigan, Christian Rub, Lee Kohlmar, … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Mothers of Men’ Promotes Women’s Causes

Posted on May 23, 2016 by lmharnisch

An image from the teaser for “Mothers of Men,” courtesy of mothersfilm.com.   At the turn of the twentieth century, women had few rights anywhere in the world. They were basically considered the property of their husbands and fathers, with … Continue reading →

Posted in 1917, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, San Francisco | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Murders 1991 – 2014

Posted on May 19, 2016 by lmharnisch

Here is a useful infographic from the spring issue of Blueprint, published by UCLA. Jim Newton has the cover story on Jerry Brown and an interview with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

Posted in 1991, 2014, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on L.A. Murders 1991 – 2014