Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 18, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1940 Warner Bros. picture Three Cheers for the Irish, with Priscilla Lane, Thomas Mitchell, Dennis Morgan, Virginia Grey, Irene Hervey, Alan Hale, William Lundigan, Frank Jenks and Henry Armetta.

Posted in 1940, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Bessie Lasky, Painter

Posted on March 18, 2024 by lmharnisch

Bessie Lasky in her studio, courtesy of Jesse L. Lasky.com. Note: This is an encore post from 2019. Though overshadowed by her husband, Jesse, Bessie Lasky was as much an artist as he, a multitalented artist in many fields with … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – March 19

Posted on March 13, 2024 by lmharnisch

Reminder: Boxie (formerly Boxy) and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on George Hodel and Steve Hodel on Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. Pacific time on YouTube and Instagram. In this session, I’ll look at the … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Carrie Jacobs-Bond, Pioneering Songwriter and Publisher

Posted on March 12, 2024 by lmharnisch

As wildly popular as Taylor Swift in her day, Wisconsin born Carrie Jacobs-Bond became viral the old fashioned way, through the sale of sheet music. Several of her songs became standards employed for years for special occasions. Music wasn’t a … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 11, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 RKO short La Cucaracha, with Steffi Duna, Don Alvarado and Paul Porcasi.

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

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

Posted on March 10, 2024 by lmharnisch

Pier Angeli and her adorable little friend remind Daily Mirror readers that Daylight Saving Time begins today and to set your clocks forward one hour. Hi Eve!!

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, March 2024

Posted on March 7, 2024 by lmharnisch

In the March 2024 Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, I talk about how Elizabeth Short got the “Black Dahlia” nickname. And no, the case wasn’t named by the newspapers, regardless of what you may read elsewhere.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Ida May Park Finds Direction in Films

Posted on March 7, 2024 by lmharnisch

Ida May Park in Photoplay. Note: This is an encore post from 2018. Virtually forgotten today, Los Angeles-born Ida May Park earned the distinction of being one of the first women to direct feature films in early Hollywood, as well … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 4, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1954 Republic picture Laughing Anne, with Wendell Corey, Margaret Lockwood, Forrest Tucker and Ronald Shiner.

Posted in 1954, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is March 5

Posted on March 1, 2024 by lmharnisch

Reminder: Boxie (formerly Boxy) and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on the Black Dahlia case Tuesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. Pacific time, on YouTube and on Instagram. (It’s also Election Day in Los Angeles, so … Continue reading →

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, February 2024

Posted on February 27, 2024 by lmharnisch

Here’s Boxie (formerly Boxy) and I with this month’s “Ask Me Anything” on George Hodel. I responded to Steve Hodel’s bizarre “validation from beyond the grave” (law enforcement officials who, in Steve’s world, say he’s “solved” the case — all … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 26, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1940 Warner Bros. picture Father Is a Prince, with Grant Mitchell, Nana Bryant, John Litel, George Reeves, Jan Clayton and Lee Patrick.

Posted in 1940, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 32 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Alhambra Promoted Through Song

Posted on February 26, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2012. One of the all-time greatest booster campaigns led to explosive growth in the city of Los Angeles in the early 20th century. Advertisements, brochures, postcards, sheet music, all boasted of the uniqueness … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 20, 2024 by lmharnisch

Booker T. Washington, photographed by Peter P. Jones, Chicago, about 1910, from the Library of Congress. During the early decades of the 1900s, few African Americans participated or worked for major moving picture studios in leading positions in front or … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 19, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1944 Twentieth Century-Fox picture The Eve of St. Mark, with Anne Baxter, William Eythe, Michael O’Shea, Vincent Price, Ruth Nelson, Ray Collins, Stanley Prager, Henry (Harry) Morgan, Robert Bailey, Joann Dolan, Toni Favor, George … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – Feb. 20

Posted on February 14, 2024 by lmharnisch

Reminder: Boxie (formerly Boxy) and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on George Hodel and Steve Hodel on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. Pacific time on YouTube and Instagram. This time, I’ll deal with what I … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Madame Sul-Te-Wan, Pioneering Black Movie Star

Posted on February 13, 2024 by lmharnisch

Often overlooked for her contribution to cinema, Nellie Conley, known onscreen as Madame Sul-Te-Wan, was the first African American signed to a film contract at a time when they possessed few rights or recognition in American society, unless they were … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 12, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 Warner Bros. picture Big Hearted Herbert, with Aline MacMahon, Guy Kibbee, Patricia Ellis, Helen Lowell, Phillip Reed, Robert Barrat, Henry O’Neill, Marjorie Gateson, Nella Walker, Trent Durkin, Jay Ward, Hale Hamilton and Claudia … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, February 2024

Posted on February 6, 2024 by lmharnisch

In the February 2024 Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, I talk about Will Fowler’s book Reporters, and all the problems with his claims. Will played a minor role in the case — he was at the crime … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 5, 2024 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1953 film Donovan’s Brain, with Lew Ayres, Gene Evans, Nancy Davis, Steve Brodie, Tom Powers, Lisa K. Howard, Kyle James, Victor Sutherland, Michael Colgan, Peter Adams, Harlan Warde and Shimen Ruskin.

Posted in 1953, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments