Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

‘Laura’ — People Who Write in Library Books Should Be Shot

Posted on June 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

In researching “Laura,” I borrowed Gerald Pratley’s “The Cinema of Otto Preminger” from the Los Angeles Public Library, only to discover that some idiot had scrawled through the entire book. The individual who committed this crime spent lots of time … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Libraries | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip, by Louella Parsons, June 4, 1944

Posted on June 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

June 4, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, June 3 — Paulette Goddard, in the past, has been a girl to keep her emotions to herself. I suppose I have written a dozen or so interviews with her and always she has obviously talked … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 5

Posted on June 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944,  item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as director of “Laura” to do a bit of digging into the production of this film noir classic – however one … Continue reading →

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

Posted on June 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

June 3, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, June 2 — Red haired Arleen Whelan, who found movie acting hard going and went to New York and made a smash hit in “Doughgirls,” may have one of the plum roles of the year. According … Continue reading →

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Memories of Naperville, Ill., June 2, 1864

Posted on June 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

This is a frame grab from a video I shot years ago showing one of the strangest tombstones I have ever seen. The shot that killed Dr. Horace Potter, Surgeon, on June 2, 1864, near Kingston, Ga. 150 years later, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1864, Civil War | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo ( Updated + + + + )

Posted on June 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

This is “Princesse Tam Tam”  with Josephine Baker. You can also find it online, although there are no subtitles. And thanks to glcrumpacker for the suggestion. If you would like to request a mystery movie, drop me a line. “Princesse … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Crossroads of the World Welcomes All

Posted on June 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

The interior of Crossroads of the World, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Long before the Grove or Americana on Brand, the Crossroads of the World existed as a retail center replicating simpler times and more glamorous surroundings. It sprang from tragedy … Continue reading →

Posted in 1936, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: Dr. George Hodel and Soil Test Results … ‘Definitely Not Elizabeth Short’

Posted on June 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

KNBC-TV Channel 4 has finally updated its story on Buster the Wonder Dog finding … something … at the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George Hodel. Let’s review the timeline: On Nov. 9, 2012, the makers of the TV show … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Request Time

Posted on May 31, 2014 by lmharnisch

His Excellency wants to know if you have a request for an upcoming mystery movie. The Daily Mirror archives are spotty, so I can’t guarantee that I’ll have a copy, but if you have a request, drop me an email.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

1944 on the Radio — ‘The First Nighter’

Posted on May 31, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 31, 1944: “The First Nighter” with a show titled “Give Up the Ship.” Courtesy of otronmp3.com.

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Classic Film Noir, Part 4

Posted on May 30, 2014 by lmharnisch

  In case you just tuned in, I’m using the May 15 post by Louella Parsons on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced by Otto Preminger as director of “Laura” to spend some time examining the production of the film noir classic. … Continue reading →

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

Posted on May 30, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 30, 1944 Dear younger readers, Memorial Day (created as Decoration Day, a time to place flowers on the graves of Civil War veterans) used to be May 30, until Congress decided in 1968 that a three-day weekend was more … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — Coming on TCM

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

I cut the cord to TCM a few months ago, partly to economize and partly because it repeats a lot of movies for having such a large archive. (What? “Torchy Runs for Mayor” Again??) I haven’t been paying much attention to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Classic Film Noir, Part 3

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m using the May 15 post by Louella Parsons on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as director of “Laura” to spend some time examining the production of the film noir classic. The previous post was … Continue reading →

Posted in 1922, 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 29, 1944

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 29, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 28 — JACK WARNER has had his checkbook out all the time he’s been in New York, buying plays like mad. He paid a quarter of a million dollars for “Chicken Every Sunday,” the Phil … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, May 29, 1944

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 29, 1944 Life’s cover story features Lt. Gen Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, commander of the American air forces preparing for the invasion of Europe. Gjon Mili photographs Gene Kelly dancing. The movie of the week is “Once Upon a Time,” … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Classic Film Noir, Part 2

Posted on May 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, prompted by Louella Parsons’ May 15 post that Rouben Mamoulian had asked to be released as director of “Laura” (later accounts will say that he was fired), I’m looking at the making of the … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 28, 1944

Posted on May 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 28, 1944 Gypsy Rose Lee says: “There are three types of strip teasers. The loud and brazen girl, who comes out on the stage and shrieks; then there is the demure kind, who acts scared to death, and finally … Continue reading →

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Neon Mystery Photo (Updated)

Posted on May 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

Craby Joe’s may be gone, but it lives on in what rock video? (And no, this isn’t “Barfly.”) Answer: The video is … “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top (1983). Craby Joe’s appears at about the 2:15 mark.

Posted in Books and Authors, Downtown, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

Posted on May 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

This is “Holy Matrimony,” a rather silly movie with one of those preposterous plots in which logic is thrown out the window, but watchable because of the performances, especially if you only know Monty Woolley from “The Man Who Came … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 55 Comments