Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

We begin this week’s mystery movie with an enigmatic young girl in pigtails. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, January 2025

Posted on January 22, 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: Women Brought Color to Early Films and Photos

Posted on January 21, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory takes a look at the women artists who hand-colored early photos and films. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 20, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a shadowy mystery woman! Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 42 Comments

Black Dahlia: Trim Your Roses on Jan. 15 to Remember Elizabeth Short

Posted on January 15, 2025 by lmharnisch

Today is Jan. 15, the anniversary of Elizabeth Short’s death. As is the custom, the Daily Mirror will be dark. Trim your roses in her memory.

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: Trim Your Roses on Jan. 15 to Remember Elizabeth Short

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 13, 2025 by lmharnisch

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

Posted in 1942, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: 1961 Bel-Air Fire Burns 450 Homes

Posted on January 13, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory revisits the 1961 Bel-Air fire Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — The Three Lives Of Villa Aurora

Posted on January 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Cats have nine lives. People often experience second or third acts in their lives or careers. Some homes have multiple lives as well, like Villa Aurora, which has experienced three diverse lives, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — The Three Lives Of Villa Aurora

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, January 2025

Posted on January 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

In the January 2025 Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, I talk about my work in progress, Heaven Is HERE! and my current focus on the Los Angeles Examiner’s phone call to Phoebe Short, claiming that Elizabeth Short … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on January 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mystery woman. Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Mary Astor’s Lost Film ‘New Year’s Eve’

Posted on December 31, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from January 2020. Since TCM is featuring Mary Astor, here’s a brief post on her lost movie “New Year’s Eve.” (A tip of the hat to Lou Lumenick, who tweeted about the movie on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — Pisco Punch

Posted on December 31, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Just in time for New Year’s, we’ll take a look at a “lost drink,” making a brief inquiry into San Francisco’s Pisco Punch, made famous by Bank Exchange saloon owner Duncan Nicol … Continue reading →

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Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is January 7

Posted on December 31, 2024 by lmharnisch

Boxie and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on the Black Dahlia case Tuesday, January 7, at 10 a.m. Pacific time, on YouTube and on Instagram.

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide – The Queens Cocktail

Posted on December 30, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Joe Vogel asks if there was a Queens Cocktail. The answer is yes. According to the Jamaica Long Island Daily Press, Jan. 24, 1935, the Queens Cocktail debuted at the Hotel Commodore … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Pickford Headlines 1933 Rose Parade

Posted on December 30, 2024 by lmharnisch

Photo: Mary Pickford in the 1933 Rose Parade. Courtesy of Mary Mallory Note: This is a 2012 post with a slight update. The 136th Rose Parade is Wednesday. Tomorrow sees the 124th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena,  welcoming … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 30, 2024 by lmharnisch

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

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 29, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Brooklyn Cocktail

Posted on December 28, 2024 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Yes, the Manhattan cocktail once had competition from drinks named for the other boroughs. Here’s a recipe for the Brooklyn Cocktail, from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 7, 1937. The Brooklyn Cocktail … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: The Harvey Wallbanger

Posted on December 27, 2024 by lmharnisch

A vintage 1972 iron-on transfer of Harvey Wallbanger himself, on EBay for $12. Note: This is a repost from 2013. We have been looking at some historic drinks for this holiday season. To the millennials in the audience: This is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1971, Food and Drink, Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: The Harvey Wallbanger

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: A Brief History of the Tom and Jerry

Posted on December 26, 2024 by lmharnisch

A recipe for the Tom and Jerry from the San Francisco Call, June 30, 1912. Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Over on Facebook, Christopher McPherson asked whether the Tom and Jerry was named for the MGM cartoon … Continue reading →

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