Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + + )

Posted on October 6, 2014 by lmharnisch

  This is “Madam Satan,” directed by Cecil B. DeMille and written by three women: longtime DeMille collaborator Jeanie MacPherson (d. 1946), Gladys Unger (d. 1940) and Elsie Janis (d. 1956). It starred Kay Johnson, Reginald Denny, Lillian Roth and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Lookout Mountain Inn Promotes Real Estate

Posted on October 6, 2014 by lmharnisch

  A postcard of Lookout Mountain, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Long before the developers of Hollywoodland offered potential buyers the chance to enjoy the magnificent views at the top of the hill above their giant advertising sign, the real estate … Continue reading →

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

Wealthy Carmel Woman, 37, Accused in Love Slaying of Ranch Hand, 19

Posted on October 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1944 The sensational trial of Frances Andrews, 37, in the shooting death of Jay Lovett, 19, prompts a crackpot confession letter (a popular pastime in the 1940s, as found in the Black Dahlia case).  This one included receipts … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Crime and Courts, Homicide, Suicide | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Oct. 3, 1944

Posted on October 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1944 Walter Winchell says: You probably have been frightened no little in the past two years by the many articles which threatened inflation … The following (from Fortune) was reprinted in The Reader’s Digest in 1934: By next … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Horoscope | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Coming Attractions: Mark A. Vieira on George Hurrell

Posted on October 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

Mark A. Vieira, a photographer, historian and author of several books, will take part in a public discussion of Hollywood photographer George Hurrell on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at USC’s Doheny Library marking the opening of an exhibit of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Coming Attractions, Hollywood, Photography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Alice Cooper Knits 180 Pairs of Socks

Posted on October 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 2, 1944 A 93-year-old Glendora woman says that she has knitted 180 pairs of socks and 12 sweaters for servicemen since Pearl Harbor. “I should know how. I took my first lesson in knitting 85 years ago,” says Mrs. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Oct. 2, 1944

Posted on October 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 2, 1944 Walter Winchell says: Joan Fontaine’s intimates suspect that if she weds again the groom will be producer D. Lewis … The postponed Edgar Bergen marriage is just a nice way of saying it is off for good… … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Black Dahlia and Halloween

Posted on October 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

A Google image search for “Black Dahlia” “Halloween” and “costume.” It is October, which means Halloween is coming up and Instagram is full of cosplayers practicing their Black Dahlia makeup. Really, folks, don’t do this. Dressing up as a murder … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Georgette Bauerdorf: An Unsolved Murder, Part 2

Posted on October 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

The crime scene, 8493 Fountain Ave., via The Times Mapping L.A. Project. Surveys have shown that most L.A. Daily Mirror readers live in Los Angeles or at least in Southern California, so the majority will already know this. I’m including … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Homicide | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

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

Posted on October 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 1, 1944 The always unpredictable and exciting Maria Montez never fails to come through with some unexpected and dramatic episode when I talk to her. Talking in story book fashion is second nature to Universal’s queen of exotic dramas. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Georgette Bauerdorf: An Unsolved Murder, Part 1

Posted on September 30, 2014 by lmharnisch

The unrecommended reading list. Not shown: Donald Wolfe’s “The Black Dahlia Files,” Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service,” Howard Blum’s “American Lightning,” Wikipedia, etc. These are curious times to be a diligent researcher in Los Angeles history. There is more of Los … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Homicide | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 30, 1944

Posted on September 30, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 30, 1944   Danton Walker says: Government officials want 20th Century-Fox to release “Winged Victory” on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor day, as a boost to the country’s morale. Lucille Ball, since her separation from Desi Arnaz, has gone to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Horoscope | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 30, 1944

James Ellroy: ‘Perfidia’ Online

Posted on September 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

Google Books is offering a extensive preview of James Ellroy’s “Perfidia,” for those who may be curious about it.  Amazon is also offering a preview. I have to say I’m not reassured by the first lines, ostensibly a radio broadcast … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Books and Authors | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie is “Fast Company,” a 1938 MGM film written by Marco Page (Harry Kurnitz) and Harold Tarshis from a book by Page, directed by Edward Buzzell and photographed by Clyde Devinna.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 63 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Garden Court Apartments Offer Luxurious Living on Hollywood Boulevard

Posted on September 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

A postcard of the Garden Court Apartments, listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $9.99. For decades, the elegant Garden Court Apartments represented high-class living for both aspiring and successful residents of Hollywood. Located just west of the thriving … Continue reading →

Posted in 1917, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Daily Mirror Reader Survey — Georgette Bauerdorf (Updated)

Posted on September 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

Georgette Bauerdorf, from the New York Sun, Oct. 13, 1944, via Fultonhistory.com. In the readers’ choice between “Laura” and Georgette Bauerdorf, the response has been almost universal in favor of looking into the Bauerdorf killing of October 1944. As longtime … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Homicide | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Three on a Match’ — Ann Dvorak’s Duesenberg

Posted on September 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

I finally saw “Three on a Match,” which was on TCM yesterday. And I’m crazy about Ann Dvorak’s Duesenberg town car. What a set of wheels. In this shot, Joan Blondell and Bette Davis are drooling over it.

Posted in 1932, Film, Hollywood, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

1944 on the Radio — Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge: September 27, 1944

Posted on September 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

September 27, 1944: Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge, with Phil Harris filling in for Kyser. Courtesy of otronmp3.com.

Posted in 1944, Music, Radio | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 1944 on the Radio — Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge: September 27, 1944

Daily Mirror Reader Survey

Posted on September 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

Here’s a quick question as we head into October: I can keep doing the posts on the making of “Laura.” Or I can cover the unsolved killing of Georgette Bauerdorf (Oct. 13, 1944). But I cannot do both. Which would … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Tagged , , , , , | 41 Comments

Man Kidnaps Woman in Attempted Murder-Suicide

Posted on September 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

  738 S. Mariposa Ave., via Google Street View. Sept. 26, 1944 Mrs. Lilliam Bohny, 35, of 738 S. Mariposa Ave. was in her nightgown and housecoat, being shown some sweaters by sweater salesman Robert Lang when William E. Andrews, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Man Kidnaps Woman in Attempted Murder-Suicide