Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

The Black Dahlia and Downtown L.A. at Night, 1946

Posted on March 29, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: Man with a slate in footage shot for “Down to Earth.” My friends over at the 1947project have found some process footage that was filmed about April 1946 for the Columbia feature “Down to Earth.” It’s unfortunate that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Black Dahlia, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Preservation, Theaters | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Explosion in Caltech Secret Project Kills 1, Injures 6

Posted on March 28, 2012 by lmharnisch

March 28, 1942: A fiery explosion during a secret experiment at the Kellogg Radiation Laboratory kills Raymond L. Robey and injures six others. Robey was thrown 50 feet by the force of the explosion, which scorched the four-story building, The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Abortion, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Eve Golden and John Gilbert, a Research Odyssey

Posted on March 27, 2012 by lmharnisch

Larry thought that some of you fellow research nerds might be interested in my trip to the Library of Congress to see four John Gilbert films for my upcoming biography. First, I must tell you I could not have picked … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood, Libraries | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Found on EBay – the Tick Tock

Posted on March 26, 2012 by lmharnisch

The Tick Tock (d. 1988) has gone to the great watchmaker in the sky. It was the kind of Hollywood place where Pee-wee Herman and Charles Phoenix might have had their own booths. But it lives on in this postcard, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1988, Food and Drink, Found on EBay, Hollywood | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on March 26, 2012 by lmharnisch

A photo of a funeral procession in Dragonea, Italy, listed on EBay at $40.95. Queen of the Dead – dateline March 26, 2012 •  I love Little Me, one of the funniest books ever written. Grab it. Now. The photos—period … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Comics, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Suicide, Television | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Next Week on the L.A. Daily Mirror

Posted on March 24, 2012 by lmharnisch

Coming up next week: In addition Mary Mallory’s Hollywood Heights column and Eve Golden’s Queen of the Dead…. Eve has a special post that I think you’re going to adore: She’s working on a biography of John Gilbert and has … Continue reading →

Posted in Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Queen of the Dead | Comments Off on Next Week on the L.A. Daily Mirror

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated +]

Posted on March 24, 2012 by lmharnisch

And here’s a mystery lady from the amazing collection of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 20

Posted on March 24, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. I’m sure you’re thinking: “Part 20 and you’re still on Pages … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – C.C. Pierce

Posted on March 23, 2012 by lmharnisch

Here’s a fun discovery: A postcard of the Theosophical Institute on Point Loma from the C.C. Pierce studios. As I noted the other day, Charles C. Pierce was one of the more prolific photographers in Southern California and acquired the … Continue reading →

Posted in Found on EBay, Photography, Religion | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – C.C. Pierce

Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

Posted on March 23, 2012 by lmharnisch

Oviatt expert Marc Chevalier passes along this item listed on EBay – a purse and the original box. Bidding starts at $265. As with anything on EBay, an item and vendor should be evaluated thoroughly before submitting a bid.

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 19

Posted on March 23, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. I am still on the trail of the mysterious Mr. Jacob/Jack/Jacques … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, 1946, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Books and Authors, Chicago, Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Housewife Writes Pulitzer-Nominated Novel While Raising Family, Remodeling Kitchen

Posted on March 22, 2012 by lmharnisch

March 22, 1942: Until this morning, I had never heard of Nellise Child (and I dare say most people haven’t) but I was immediately enchanted with her story: A former reporter (her husband didn’t want her to work), she raises … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Books and Authors, Stage | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on March 22, 2012 by lmharnisch

And here’s today’s mystery photo!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 18

Posted on March 21, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. I have been examining what Scotty Bowers describes as his first … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Manzanar Internment Camp Rising Rapidly in Owens Valley

Posted on March 20, 2012 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1942: A crew of 400 carpenters working 10-hour shifts is hurriedly building the internment camp at Manzanar for “10,000 alien and American-born Japanese from Los Angeles and other Southern California cities,” The Times says. “Manzanar is the former … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Found on EBay – C.C. Pierce

Posted on March 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

This photo from the studio of Charles C. Pierce of Los Angeles, showing the relocation of Yaqui women by order of the Mexican government, has been listed on EBay. Pierce operated one of the most prolific studios in late 19th … Continue reading →

Posted in Found on EBay, Native Americans, Photography | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – C.C. Pierce

Movieland Mystery Photo – Mystery Preacher Edition [Updated +]

Posted on March 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

True confession: I always read signs in movies. So when I saw this name, I became suspicious….

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Religion | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on March 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: A Johnny Lightning Santa Monica Maniacs Haulin’ Hearse listed on EBay with bids starting at $1.30. Queen of the Dead – dateline March 19, 2012   •  The Telegraph has come through with another corking portrait of a colorful … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Eve Golden, Found on EBay, Libraries, Queen of the Dead | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 17

Posted on March 18, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Now this is interesting – at least to me. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, Another Good Story Ruined, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Military Academy Edition [Updated]

Posted on March 17, 2012 by lmharnisch

I was watching this movie the other day and it made me think of the location shots for “The Caine Mutiny.” Oddly enough, the location used in the opening credits looks nothing like those used in the film. Apparently continuity … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments