Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated ++++)

Posted on May 6, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s our mystery chap for Monday. Update: In selecting a mystery movie, I usually avoid films that have just appeared on TCM, figuring that most Daily Mirror readers watch everything it airs. But this was such a bizarre discovery I … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 113 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – The Hollywood American Legion: The House That Boxing Built

Posted on May 6, 2013 by lmharnisch

Hollywood American Legion Post 43, courtesy of Mary Mallory. World War I was a bruising, mentally jarring affair for returning American soldiers. Dazed, hardened, in pain, the men looked for an opportunity to gather together with like-minded individuals for camaraderie, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dead Man’s Burden: Clare Bowen and the Left-Handed Gun

Posted on May 5, 2013 by lmharnisch

When I saw Philip DeJong’s photograph of Clare Bowen, I assumed it was a mistake because her left hand is on the trigger and her right hand is supporting the stock. But no. She is apparently left-handed. For comparison, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Dead Man’s Burden: Clare Bowen and the Left-Handed Gun

Wikipedia Revert War: Wallace Beery vs. Ted Healy

Posted on May 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

Uh-oh! Now you know why I use screen captures of Wikipedia rather than quoting it. One diligent individual using the handle Geni has edited the Wallace Beery entry to remove the story about him beating Ted Healy to death in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 8

Posted on May 3, 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, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — Part 7

Posted on May 2, 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 , , , , | Comments Off on Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — Part 7

Mystery Matchbook

Posted on May 1, 2013 by lmharnisch

Look what turned up on EBay!

Posted in Black Dahlia, Mystery Photo | Tagged , | Comments Off on Mystery Matchbook

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 6

Posted on May 1, 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 , , , , | 5 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 5

Posted on April 30, 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, History, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated +++)

Posted on April 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

For Monday, a mystery couple.

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

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — A Note on Sources

Posted on April 29, 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, History, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — A Note on Sources

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Organist C. Sharp Minor, Major Talent

Posted on April 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

Music was an integral part of silent films, giving emotional texture or humorous voice to the films’ precious images. Different types of music and musicians accompanied them: orchestras, bands, photoplayers, pianists and organists. Leading the pack as one of Los … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Wikipedia Watch: Yuri Gadyukin Hoax

Posted on April 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

An elaborate Wikipedia hoax involves a purported Soviet film director — who never existed. Among his alleged works is “Where the Tractors Roam.”

Posted in Film, History, Wikipedia | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Wikipedia Watch: Novelist Amanda Filipacchi Feels the Sting of ‘Citizen Scholars’

Posted on April 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

A world without Wikipedia? Not such a bad idea. Novelist Amanda Filipacchi, writing in the New York Times, notes that the “citizen scholars” at Wikipedia have been moving women from the category of “American Novelists” to “American Women Novelists.” She … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, History | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Parkey Sharkey — Found on EBay

Posted on April 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

Our old friend Parkey Sharkey appears in a photo that has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $19.99.  

Posted in Books and Authors, Found on EBay, Radio | Tagged , | Comments Off on Parkey Sharkey — Found on EBay

Black Dahlia: Soil Test Results From Dr. George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel’s Purported Murder HQ

Posted on April 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

And in case anyone thinks that we have forgotten: No, nothing has been announced about the purported tests performed on soil from Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported murder HQ. I think it’s safe to say there are no results … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

‘Bad Charleston Charlie’

Posted on April 26, 2013 by lmharnisch

Several years ago, in a previous incarnation of the blog, I wrote about the film “Bad Charleston Charlie.” Someone emailed me in hopes of getting a VHS copy. They are rare, but one has finally surfaced on EBay. It’s included … Continue reading →

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Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 4

Posted on April 26, 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, History, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth – Part 3

Posted on April 25, 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 2

Posted on April 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m using the alleged beating of Ted Healy by Wallace Beery et al to examine Wikipedia’s accuracy. So far, it hasn’t been good. Yesterday, I looked at the eight different accounts in Wikipedia and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments