Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Sign Premieres November 1923

Posted on July 13, 2016 by lmharnisch

Jan. 6, 1924: The Times publishes a photo of an Oakland car that was driven up to the Hollywood sign. Note: Here’s a post from November 2013 for those who wrongly assume that the Hollywood sign was unveiled on July … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 11, 2016 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1952 picture “Jeux Interdits” (“Forbidden Games,”) based on the novel by Francois Boyer.  It was adapted by Jean Aurenche, Pierre Bost and director Rene Clement, with Georges Poujouly and Brigitte Fossey. The score … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: James Davies – Paramount’s Physical Culturist to the Stars

Posted on July 11, 2016 by lmharnisch

James Davies, left, gives Buster Crabbe a rubdown in “Search for Beauty,” with Robert Armstrong, right. Photo courtesy of Mary Mallory    American culture has seen each decade popularize certain fashion styles and body types, some of which fade quickly … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 4, 2016 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1944 Warner Bros. picture “The Doughgirls,” starring Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Jane Wyman, Irene Manning, Charlie Ruggles, Eve Arden and a large supporting cast of Warners players.  The screenplay was by … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 37 Comments

A Wartime Fourth of July: Los Angeles, 1942

Posted on July 4, 2016 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post from 2015. 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). … Continue reading →

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

L.A. Celebrates Fourth of July With Cricket Match, Bagpipe Contest

Posted on July 4, 2016 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post from 2007. July 4, 1907 Los Angeles And how does Los Angeles celebrate Independence Day? With cricket matches and bagpipe contests.  

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Fashions, LAPD, Music, Parks, Streetcars | Comments Off on L.A. Celebrates Fourth of July With Cricket Match, Bagpipe Contest

L.A. Celebrates the Fourth of July, 1889 – 1960

Posted on July 4, 2016 by lmharnisch

July 4, 1944: Uncle Sam in a cartoon by Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale for the Los Angeles Examiner and republished in the Milwaukee Sentinel. Note: This is a post from 2014. Here’s a look at how Los Angeles has celebrated … Continue reading →

Posted in 1863, 1907, 1910, 1947, 1957, 1960 | Tagged | Comments Off on L.A. Celebrates the Fourth of July, 1889 – 1960

L.A. Fourth of July, 1863: Pic-Nics and Fire-Works

Posted on July 4, 2016 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post from 2013 The complete July 4, 1863, issue of the Los Angeles Star is available from USC, which scanned  a copy at the Huntington. July 4, 1863: Los Angeles plans to celebrate the Fourth of … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The Bell & Howell Building Then and Now

Posted on July 4, 2016 by lmharnisch

716 N. La Brea Ave., via Google Street View, from 2014. Simple and elegant, 716 N. La Brea Ave. today remains little changed on the exterior as to how it looked when finished in 1931. It stands as a beacon … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 27, 2016 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1928 MGM silent picture “West of Zanzibar,” with Lon Chaney, Lionel Barrymore, Mary Nolan, Warner Baxter, Jacqueline Gadsdon, Roscoe Ward, Kalla Pasha and Curtis Nero. It was directed by Tod Browning. The film … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Steve ‘Broken Nose’ Murphy Slays Them in the Movies

Posted on June 27, 2016 by lmharnisch

  Steve “Broken Nose” Murphy” in “Sherlock Jr.”       Some people succeed in films because of great notoriety, talent, or beauty. Others flourish because of unusual skill or looks, such as Steve “Broken Nose” Murphy. A stand out … Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Sports | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Black Dahlia: Bizarre Outsider Art of Elizabeth Short on EBay

Posted on June 24, 2016 by lmharnisch

Fortunately, I saw this image before I had breakfast. This is a combo of a postcard of the Biltmore Hotel and an image of Elizabeth Short. It was done by Perry Johnson and is listed as Buy It Now for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Art & Artists, Black Dahlia, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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