Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Black Dahlia: From the Archives, 1998

  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

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

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 + + + +)

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

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!

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

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

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

“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 + + + +)

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

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

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

Research Update From 1947

For those don’t follow my Twitter feed @latdailymirror: Unz.org is a fabulous repository of historic magazines and I have been reading a variety of 1947 issues to immerse myself in the year. Here’s a thought-provoking essay from the Saturday Review, … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Research Update From 1947

Tech Issue

Some Mac/Safari users say they get a warning on LADailyMirror.com that the security certificate is missing or that it may be a fake site. Anyone else getting those messages? If possible send me a screen shot. Thanks.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tech Issue

An Update From 1947

I have been immersing myself in 1947 and for those readers who don’t follow my Twitter feed (@LATDailyMirror) or Facebook page, here’s what I have been up to. From January 1947: The American Mercury muses on Arthur Vandenberg’s chances in … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on An Update From 1947

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1957 Twentieth Century-Fox film “A Hatful of Rain,” with Eva Marie Saint (Friday’s mystery guest), Don Murray (Thursday’s mystery guest), Anthony Franciosa (not shown), Lloyd Nolan (Wednesday’s mystery guest) and Henry Silva (Tuesday’s … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 70 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Venice Miniature Railway, Tourist Attraction and Realty Estate Promotion

A postcard showing Venice’s miniature railway, courtesy of Mary Mallory. In the early 1900s, Los Angeles and environs were booming. Ballyhoo from groups like the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, railroads, the Automobile Club, realtors, and civic groups promoting Southern … Continue reading

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

On the Radio: 1947

I’m trying to immerse myself in the period (remember we have been doing 1944 and the 1947project was 10 years ago, so I listened to a few radio programs from January 1947. Jan. 17, 1947: “The Lone Ranger.” Jan. 18, … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Radio | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on On the Radio: 1947

Black Dahlia: Wikipedia Fail

Here is what’s wrong with Wikipedia: “The Black Dahlia” was a nickname given to Elizabeth Short … Short acquired the moniker posthumously by newspapers in the habit of nicknaming crimes they found particularly lurid. FAIL. Elizabeth Short was nicknamed the … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD, Wikipedia | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: Time Magazine and the Death of Research

Time magazine, more than a bit late to the party, jumps on the Dr. George Hodel bandwagon on the anniversary of Elizabeth Short’s death. Time was once famous for having an extensive research department. These days, however, writers  – at least … Continue reading

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