Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

The Death of Ted Healy — Part 1

Posted on May 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1937: Ted Healy’s death is reported in the Los Angeles Examiner. In the days leading up to his death, comedian Ted Healy had been under continuous observation  by his sister, Marcia, and manager, James Marcus, to keep him … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated +++)

Posted on May 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s our mystery chap for Monday!

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood’s Little Country Church – Emblem of Bygone Days

Posted on May 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

Throughout its history, the city of Hollywood has seen much come and go in the name of “progress.” Instead of remodeling and reusing a historic structure, as is done in Europe or the East Coast, most builders simply tear down … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Radio, Religion | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Harold Lloyd — ‘Now or Never’

Posted on May 26, 2013 by lmharnisch

Harold Lloyd’s “Now or Never,” directed by Hal Roach and Fred Newmeyer, includes a memorable sequence in which he appears to be caught on top of a train. The final impression is stunning and we might pass it off as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1921, Film, Hollywood, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Women’s History — Gertrude S. Reynolds McMullen

Posted on May 26, 2013 by lmharnisch

This postcard of the Southwest Turquoise Co., 113 N. Broadway, has been listed on EBay. The shop would have been roughly across the street from the old Times Building at 1st and Broadway. Bidding on the postcard starts at $8. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1909, 1910, Broadway, Found on EBay, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Harold Lloyd on Location: Santa Fe Station

Posted on May 25, 2013 by lmharnisch

John Bengston emailed the other day to mention his research on Harold Lloyd’s filming locations in conjunction with the recent Lloyd festival on TCM. John pointed out that “Safety Last” and “Cops” used the same alley. I DVR’d just about … Continue reading →

Posted in 1921, Architecture, Location Sleuth, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

‘What Is the Jewish Experience in Los Angeles?’

Posted on May 25, 2013 by lmharnisch

My latest column is in The Times this morning. I visited the Autry National Center’s new exhibit “Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic” and attended a daylong symposium on some aspects of the Jewish experience in Los Angeles. Books could … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Museums | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Anne Knudsen — Photographer

Posted on May 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

Note: Herald Examiner photographer Anne Knudsen’s sister shared this obituary with the Daily Mirror. Anne Baldwin Knudsen, 57, passed away on Mothers’ Day, May 12, following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Photography | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Anne Knudsen — Photographer

Movieland Mystery Photo — EBay Edition

Posted on May 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

An EBay vendor has posted this “mystery photo”  and is looking for help in identifying a certain “sexy, leggy” actress. Notice the code at the lower right: 1451-118. I’m sure Daily Mirror readers can help out our vendor, who thinks … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Dining With Jerry Lewis — Found on EBay

Posted on May 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

Longtime Daily Mirror readers may recall that Jerry Lewis briefly operated a restaurant on the Sunset Strip in the early 1960s. A menu from his business has been listed on EBay. Notice “Chili and Beans, Jerry Lewis” for $1.75. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1963, Film, Food and Drink | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — Part 19

Posted on May 23, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I am using the Wikipedia entry on Wallace Beery — alleging that he was involved in the death of Ted Healy — as a way to explore Wikipedia’s fundamental problems with accuracy and delve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — Part 18

Posted on May 22, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I am using the Wikipedia entry on Wallace Beery — alleging that he was involved in the death of Ted Healy — as a way to explore Wikipedia’s fundamental problems with accuracy and delve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — Part 17

Posted on May 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I am using the Wikipedia entry on Wallace Beery — alleging that he was involved in the death of Ted Healy — as a way to explore Wikipedia’s fundamental problems with accuracy and delve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition VIII (Updated +++)

Posted on May 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

Once again, we find newsboy caps in nefarious surroundings — note the presence of a slot machine in the background. Mary Mallory sends along a glass slide from her collection. Thanks, Mary! How to Wear a Hat — Newsboy Cap … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Ned Sparks — Hollywood Grouch

Posted on May 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

Ned Sparks in “George White’s 1935 Scandals.” Photo courtesy of Mary Mallory. Throughout the history of film, many supporting players have functioned as the spine or safety chord upon which motion pictures have been built. Making the most of sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Answering Michael Rosenblum: What IS a Library?

Posted on May 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

A fellow named Michael Rosenblum, whom I have never encountered before, has written a Huffington Post essay on libraries and meanders about on the idea that Google has made them obsolete. Mind you, this is not a direct point — … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Libraries | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — Part 16

Posted on May 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I am using the Wikipedia entry on Wallace Beery — alleging that he was involved in the death of Ted Healy — as a way to explore Wikipedia’s fundamental problems with accuracy and delve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Voices — Anne Knudsen

Posted on May 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 9, 2013: Former Herald Examiner photographers Anne Knudsen and Mike Mullen at the Herald Examiner Building. Photo courtesy of Mike Mullen. I recently wrote a column about a reunion of Herald Examiner photographers only to discover that one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Photography | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Voices — Anne Knudsen

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail — Part 3

Posted on May 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

In responding to my post on “Gangster Squad,” Earl Boebert raised the interesting question about whether officers used a one-handed or two-handed grip in the 1940s. For comparison, here’s a picture from Jack Webb’s “The Badge” (1958) showing LAPD cadets … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1958, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 9 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 15

Posted on May 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I am using the Wikipedia entry on Wallace Beery – alleging that he was involved in the death of Ted Healy – as a way to explore Wikipedia’s fundamental problems with accuracy and delve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 15