Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Black Dahlia: Hack Writing and the Birth of Urban Myths

Posted on July 30, 2015 by lmharnisch

Hollywood Citizen-News, Jan. 15, 1947. I’m slowly digitizing my files on the Elizabeth Short killing for easier access, and yesterday I was going through the Hollywood Citizen-News, which is one of the lesser sources on the case.  And, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, Black Dahlia, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 27, 2015 by lmharnisch

I wanted to do a Lloyd Bacon movie this week and “The Office Wife” (Warner Bros., 1930) is the earliest one in my collection, and as a bonus, it was the feature film debut of Joan Blondell (one of Friday’s … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: 4269 Lankershim Blvd: Evolution of an Address

Posted on July 27, 2015 by lmharnisch

Club Indigo matchbook courtesy of Mary Mallory. While some proprietorships remain in business for decades at one address, most often, occupancy at the site frequently changes due to economic and cultural cycles. Following owners usually continue in the same vein … Continue reading →

Posted in Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Music, Nightclubs, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Another Good Story Ruined: Senor Wences and ‘History Is Made at Night’

Posted on July 25, 2015 by lmharnisch

  I received a couple of comments about my statement on the mystery movie “History Is Made at Night” regarding the appearance (or non-appearance) of ventriloquist Senor Wences – or at least the appearance/non-appearance of his left hand. So I … Continue reading →

Posted in 1936, 1937, Another Good Story Ruined, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

California Bans Women as Toll Collectors on Bay Bridge – They Are Unstable

Posted on July 22, 2015 by lmharnisch

Feb. 1, 1947: I’m going through my clips on the Black Dahlia case and here’s an unrelated story from the Santa Barbara News-Press. The state personnel board prohibits women from taking the Civil Service exam for Bay Bridge toll collector … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 20, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was “History is Made at Night,” a 1937 Walter Wanger production released through United Artists starring Charles Boyer and Jean Arthur (Friday’s mystery guests). It also featured Leo Carrillo (Thursday’s mystery guest) and Colin Clive (Wednesday’s … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Junius Estep and Alfred Lindstedt, Early but Forgotten Stills Photographers

Posted on July 20, 2015 by lmharnisch

Bessie Eyton by Junius Estep, courtesy of Mary Mallory. In the early days of silent film production, moving picture companies promoted their brand names to consumers, selling films around the quality and type of pictures produced by their individual companies. … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 13, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1931 Radio Pictures pre-code comedy “Peach-O-Reno” by Tim Whelan, starring Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey (Friday’s mystery guests) with Dorothy Lee (not shown) and directed by William A. Seiter. The film also featured Zelma … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Assistance League Scouts Film Locations

Posted on July 13, 2015 by lmharnisch

Motion Picture Magazine, 1925. In the early days of the motion picture industry, no rules and regulations held down the field’s growth and development as companies basically made it up as they went along. There were no labor rules, no … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 6, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1946 Paramount picture “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers,” starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas, (Friday’s mystery guests), Judith Anderson (bonus mystery guest), Roman Bohnen (not shown) and Darryl Hickman … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 35 Comments

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

Posted on July 6, 2015 by lmharnisch

Teddy the dog with a Mack Sennett bathing beauty, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Guide, guard, and constant companion, the friendly dog is man’s best friend. Unswervingly loyal and supportive, canines give much needed love and help when times are tough. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Wartime Fourth of July: Los Angeles, 1942

Posted on July 4, 2015 by lmharnisch

Years ago, in researching Camp Cooke, I bought the diary of a soldier named Harry A. Rankin, who was stationed there in 1942 and early 1943 (and no, he doesn’t mention Elizabeth Short). Here’s his list of what he did … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Black Dahlia, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Notes on AT&T’s ISB7500 – And an Important Warning

Posted on June 29, 2015 by lmharnisch

Behold the ISB7500. Notice the LINK light is lit. That means it’s connected to the gateway. If it isn’t, the DVR won’t play back movies you have recorded.  We recently said goodbye to our latest VIP2250 DVR, which we burned … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Television | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Notes on AT&T’s ISB7500 – And an Important Warning

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 29, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1943 Monogram Pictures film “Blazing Guns,” starring Ken Maynard and Hoot Gibson, with LeRoy Mason, Emmett Lynn, Weldon Heyburn, Roy Brent, Eddie Gribbon, Lloyd Ingraham, Geo. Kamel, Kay Forrester, Robbie Kavanaugh, Frank Ellis, Charles … Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on June 29, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Hollywood Athletic Club, Photoplay, 1924. 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 new adventures. Most arrived friendless and eager to … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Athletic Club Trains Filmdom’s Elite

November 15,1909: Finds ‘Husband’ Is Woman

Posted on June 27, 2015 by lmharnisch

In light of the Supreme Court ruling, here are some posts from the old Daily Mirror blog. Clerk Refuses to Marry Chinese Man to White Girl, July 11, 1899. Finds Husband Is a Woman, Nov. 15, 1909 Christine Jorgensen Tries … Continue reading →

Posted in 1909, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , | Comments Off on November 15,1909: Finds ‘Husband’ Is Woman

Black Dahlia: Tamar Hodel in Hospice

Posted on June 27, 2015 by lmharnisch

The ever-vigilant Eve Golden forwarded an article by Sheila Weller from Dujour.com reporting that Tamar Hodel, who accused Dr. George Hodel of molestation in the 1940s, is in a hospice. Tamar Hodel is the half sister of retired LAPD Detective … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: Tamar Hodel in Hospice

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: It’s Time for the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival

Posted on June 25, 2015 by lmharnisch

Fannie Ward in “The Cheat.”   For the 18th year in a row, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is holding their Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival in Niles’ historic 1913 Edison Theatre this weekend from Friday, June 26 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 22, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been “After Office Hours,” a 1935 MGM picture starring Constance Bennett (Thursday’s mystery woman), Clark Gable (Friday’s mystery fellow), Stuart Erwin (Friday’s mystery guest), Billie Burke (not shown), Harvey Stephens (Wednesday’s mystery guest) and Katharine … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Max Ree Adds Fine Design

Posted on June 22, 2015 by lmharnisch

Max Ree , in an undated photo. Mostly forgotten today thanks to his short film career, Danish architect turned costume and set designer Max Ree fashioned elegant artistry in the motion picture field from the mid-1920s through the mid-1930s. He … Continue reading →

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