Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Alex Kahle Shoots the Angles

Posted on February 16, 2015 by lmharnisch

Virginia Bruce, courtesy of Mary Mallory. When most people think of motion picture stills photographers, they think of such renowned portraitists as George Hurrell, Ruth Harriet Louise, Clarence Sinclair Bull, and Eugene Richee, who created the glamour and iconography of … Continue reading →

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

Vintage Slides of the Black Dahlia? Probably Not

Posted on February 13, 2015 by lmharnisch

A scan of one of the transparencies being offered on EBay. This is from an unidentified Western. A vendor has listed a lot of about 500 transparencies that were owned by a “Hollywood filmmaker.” A bit of research indicates that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Book Review: ‘Dead to Me’ by Mary McCoy

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

Last week’s mail brought us an advance copy of “Dead to Me” by our longtime friend Mary McCoy of the Los Angeles Public Library, one of the leading lights among those of us who research L.A. history and a past … Continue reading →

Posted in 1948, 2015, Books and Authors, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Minus the Black Dahlia and George Hodel: ‘Man Ray and Human Equations’

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Washington Post has published an interesting review by Philip Kennicott of an exhibit at the Phillips Collection of Man Ray’s works. And yes, there isn’t a single mention of the ridiculous allegations about Ray, Dr. George Hodel and the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, 1947, Art & Artists, Black Dahlia, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery replacement movie was the 1951 Twentieth Century-Fox picture “Elopement,” starring Clifton Webb (Friday’s mystery feet),  Anne Francis (not shown) Charles Bickford, William Lundigan (Wednesday’s mystery chaps), Reginald Gardiner (Thursday’s mystery gent), Evelyn Varden (Tuesday’s mystery woman) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 48 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Studio City Nightclubs Jazz Up San Fernando Valley

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Zomba Cafe in “The Loved One,” about the 1:38 mark. Thanks to its geographic location and its proximity to entertainment industry businesses, Studio City has served as the home for eclectic restaurants and nightclubs providing a variety of amusement … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Nightclubs, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Stewart Stern on ‘Rebel Without a Cause’

Posted on February 7, 2015 by lmharnisch

Eve Golden forwards this interview conducted with the late Stewart Stern, in which he commented on his screenplay for “Rebel Without a Cause”: As he has noted elsewhere, “Rebel Without a Cause” is inspired by [the play “Peter Pan”] — … Continue reading →

Posted in 1955, Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What I’m Reading

Posted on February 6, 2015 by lmharnisch

Yesterday’s mail brought two long-anticipated books. The recently published “Missing Reels” by Farran Smith Nehme and an advance copy of Mary McCoy’s “Dead to Me.” I may do nothing but read this weekend.

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | Comments Off on What I’m Reading

Black Dahlia: From the Archives, 1998

Posted on February 5, 2015 by lmharnisch

  One of my projects while on sabbatical is digitizing my old videotapes. And look what I found!

Posted in 1998, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD, Television | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Last Remaining Seats 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Los Angeles Conservancy has announced the films for its 2015 Last Remaining Seats series. I wish I could be more enthusiastic about this year’s LSR, because the conservancy does terrific work, but the programming is about as adventuresome as … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Coming Attractions, Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo Bonus Edition

Posted on February 3, 2015 by lmharnisch

Here’s a true mystery photo, sent along by a member of the Brain Trust. The young girl in this photo is Leatrice Gilbert, the daughter of Leatrice Joy and John Gilbert. The question is whether anyone can identify the man … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 2, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s movie was the 1926 MGM silent picture “Exit Smiling” with Beatrice Lillie (one of Friday’s mystery guests) and Jack Pickford (Thursday’s mystery guest). The story was by Marc Connelly, screenplay by Sam Taylor and Tim Whelan with titles … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Marc McDermott, Man of Dignity

Posted on February 2, 2015 by lmharnisch

Marc “MacDermott” on the cover of Motion Picture News. Cultured and dignified whether playing lecherous aristocrats or burdened family men, Marc McDermott and his subtle acting drew accolades from critics and the public throughout his almost twenty year film career. … Continue reading →

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

Julian Eltinge and Trixie Friganza!

Posted on January 30, 2015 by lmharnisch

Look what we found on YouTube! It’s a brief clip that shows two of our favorites: Julian Eltinge, above, with Gloria Jean, and Trixie Friganza in “If I Had My Way.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Stage | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Julian Eltinge and Trixie Friganza!

What We’re Reading: The Taft Building by Roger Vincent

Posted on January 30, 2015 by lmharnisch

In case you don’t follow the Daily Mirror’s Twitter feed, here’s a story we like, by Roger Vincent, who covers commercial real estate for The Times. With great photos by the one and only Gary Friedman.

Posted in Architecture, Hollywood | Tagged , | Comments Off on What We’re Reading: The Taft Building by Roger Vincent

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Posted on January 27, 2015 by lmharnisch

This is an especially appropriate day to recall the editorial stand of the Los Angeles Times in the 1930s toward European refugees. In a March 30, 1938, editorial,  The Times opposed wholesale admission of European refugees, saying that they would … Continue reading →

Posted in 1938, World War II | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

A Question for the L.A. Daily Mirror Brain Trust

Posted on January 27, 2015 by lmharnisch

“Deadline” was a television show that premiered in Los Angeles on May 17, 1962, hosted by Paul Stewart, whom you may recall as Raymond in “Citizen Kane.” Drop me a line if you have any copies of the show. Thanks.

Posted in 1962, Television | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 26, 2015 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1949 RKO thriller “Follow Me Quietly,” with William Lundigan (Friday’s mystery gent), Dorothy Patrick (Thursday’s mystery guest), Jeff Corey (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Edwin Max (Friday’s mystery guest) and Douglas Spencer (Tuesday’s mystery guest). … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The House of Westmore Beautifies Hollywood

Posted on January 26, 2015 by lmharnisch

Ann Sheridan promotes the House of Westmore. Since the 1920s, the Westmore family has served the entertainment industry as some of the greatest practitioners of makeup artistry. From leading studio makeup departments to creating unique makeup effects, the Westmores have … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

A Puzzle From 1944

Posted on January 25, 2015 by lmharnisch

As part of my sabbatical from the blog (yes, this is a working sabbatical) I have been immersing myself in the 1940s and that includes the neglected job of tackling the random assortment of papers on my desk. Several years … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944 | Tagged , | 3 Comments