Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Women Behind the Scenes in Early Film Photography

Posted on March 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory takes a look at women in the early days of Hollywood still photography. And she has a book coming out March 25 “First Women of Hollywood.” Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious lad. Continue reading →

Posted in 1950, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Daylight Saving Time: A Reminder From Pier Angeli and the Daily Mirror

Posted on March 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

Pier Angeli and her little friend with a reminder about Daylight Saving Time. Continue reading →

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

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, March 2025

Posted on March 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a forthcoming book on the Black Dahlia case by William Mann. Continue reading →

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When Doctors Turn Deadly: Hallie Rubenhold’s ‘Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen’

Posted on March 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

An advance look at Hallie Rubenhold’s forthcoming “Story of a Murder.” Well-written and suspenseful!
@hallierubenhold.bsky.social Continue reading →

Posted in 1910, Books and Authors, Homicide | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have three mysterious people in a mysterious restaurant. Continue reading →

Posted in 1967, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Television | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Miriam Matthews, Pioneering Black Librarian, Advocate of L.A. History

Posted on March 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory profiles Miriam Matthews, Los Angeles’ first Black certified librarian, who was an advocate for Los Angeles history. Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Libraries, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Miriam Matthews, Pioneering Black Librarian, Advocate of L.A. History

End of Watch: Joseph Wambaugh, 1937-2025

Posted on February 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

Remembering author Joseph Wambaugh (1937-2025) with a 2013 video interview for the L.A. Times and articles about the Onion Field, the 1963 kidnapping of two LAPD officers in which one was killed and the other survived. Continue reading →

Posted in books, Books and Authors, Film, LAPD, Obituaries | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is March 4

Posted on February 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I will be doing a live Ask Me Anything on the #BlackDahlia case on YouTube, next Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. Pacific time. (TW: I’ll discuss the autopsy). I’ll also talk briefly about Hallie Rubenhold’s forthcoming book “Story of a Murder.” Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious guest wearing a dog mask. Continue reading →

Posted in 1978, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, February 2025

Posted on February 18, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Mabel Fairbanks, Wonder Girl of the Ice

Posted on February 17, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory takes a look at the career of Black skating star Mabel Fairbanks, Wonder Girl of the Ice Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Sports | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Mabel Fairbanks, Wonder Girl of the Ice

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 17, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow. Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – February 18

Posted on February 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

Next Tuesday (Feb. 18) on YouTube, at 10 a.m. Pacific time, Boxie and I will be answering questions about George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Have questions? Leave them in the comments (and questions, pls, not statements). Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Me Anything, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases | Tagged , , | Comments Off on ‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – February 18

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Peter P. Jones, Pioneering Black Photographer

Posted on February 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

In an encore post, Mary Mallory looks at the career of Black photographer Peter P. Jones, who shot production stills for Selznick Pictures. Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow standing in a doorway. Continue reading →

Posted in 1958, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, February 2025

Posted on February 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a forthcoming book on the Black Dahlia case by William Mann. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

Here’s the first image from this week’s mystery movie. Continue reading →

Posted in 1936, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘None Shall Escape’ Is a Powerful Look at Justice

Posted on February 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

In this week’s encore post, Mary Mallory looks at the 1944 film ‘None Shall Escape’ about the trial of Nazi war criminals. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘None Shall Escape’ Is a Powerful Look at Justice

Feb. 23, 1938 — Editorial: U.S. Doesn’t Need Anti-Lynching Law

Posted on February 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

Feb. 23, 1938: The Los Angeles Times editorializes that the U.S. doesn’t need a federal anti-lynching law. Backed by New Dealers, it’s merely an appeal to Black voters and lynchings hardly ever happen anyway, The Times says. And a pig test out San Quentin’s new gas chamber. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Feb. 23, 1938 — Editorial: U.S. Doesn’t Need Anti-Lynching Law