Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Black Dahlia: George Hodel, Ask Me Anything, August 2023

Posted on August 16, 2023 by lmharnisch

Here’s an Ask Me Anything that I did Tuesday about Steve Hodel and his lies about his father, Dr. George Hodel. To be scientific, I analyzed Steve Hodel’s techniques for lying, which I call Inflation, Distortion, Suppression and Fiction, and … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Noir City Celebrates the Dark Side

Posted on August 15, 2023 by lmharnisch

The Film Noir Foundation’s 24th presentation of Noir City Hollywood with the American Cinematheque recently concluded at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre, saluting the 75th anniversary of 1948 films and demonstrating how relevant these films are today. While shot all in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1948, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 14, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1946 Warner Bros. film One More Tomorrow, with Ann Sheridan, Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Alexis Smith, Jane Wyman, Reginald Gardiner, John Loder, Marjorie Gateson, Thurston Hall and John Abbott.

Posted in 1946, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel — August 15

Posted on August 11, 2023 by lmharnisch

Boxy and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” about Dr. George Hodel on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Have you read Steve Hodel’s books? Watched the TV interviews? Listened to the podcasts? Maybe you’re … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 7, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1949 Allied Artists film Bad Boy, with Lloyd Nolan, Jane Wyatt, James Gleason, Stanley Clements, Martha Vickers, and in his first starring role, Audie Murphy. With Rhys Williams, Selena Royle, James Lydon, Dickie Moore, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Nell Brinkley, Queen of Early American Comics

Posted on August 7, 2023 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. When Americans think of classic illustrators from the early 20th century, names such as Charles Dana Gibson, Harrison Fisher, Haskell Coffin, James Montgomery Flagg, and John Held Jr. spring to mind. Forgotten … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory/ Hollywood Heights: El Cholo Turns 100

Posted on August 1, 2023 by lmharnisch

100 years ago, Alexander Alejandro Borquez and his wife Rosa opened a tiny cafe on Moneta Avenue, serving tasty, homestyle Mexican food. Little did they realize that their modest enterprise would survive a century, becoming one of Los Angeles’ most … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything for August 2023

Posted on August 1, 2023 by lmharnisch

Here is this month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case. I discussed the latest in Black Dahlia projects and gave an update on the book (124,000 words and counting). I addressed two recurring subjects: Carl Balsiger and why … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 31, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1932 RKO picture The Animal Kingdom, with Ann Harding, Leslie Howard, Myrna Loy, William Gargan, Neil Hamilton, Ilka Chase, Henry Stephenson, Leni Stengel and Donald Dilloway.

Posted in 1932, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: 1960 Writers Strike Echoes Today

Posted on July 25, 2023 by lmharnisch

63 years ago, writers and actors were struggling. Looking for a small share of revenue to help fiscally survive, they asked simply for residuals from post-1948 films sold to television, while studios pled poverty. Both unions went out on strike, … Continue reading →

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Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is August 1

Posted on July 25, 2023 by lmharnisch

Reminder: Boxy and I will be doing a live “Ask Me Anything” on the Black Dahlia case Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. Pacific time. I’ll give an update on the book and talk about two popular subjects: Carl Balsiger … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 24, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1952 Columbia film The Happy Time, with Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan, Marsha Hunt, Kurt Kasznar, Linda Christian, Marcel Dalio, Jeanette Nolan, Jack Raine, Richard Erdman, Marlene Cameron, Gene Collins, and Bobby Driscoll.

Posted in 1952, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: San Francisco Silent Film Festival Shows the Power of Silents

Posted on July 20, 2023 by lmharnisch

Douglas Fairbanks and Marguerite de la Motte in “The Iron Mask.” Returning for the 26th time, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival offered a fascinating and powerful diversity of programming and music at its recently concluded Festival. Full of dramatic … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 17, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1956 Universal picture A Day of Fury, with Dale Robertson, Jock Mahoney, Mara Corday, Carl Benton Reid, Jan Merlin, John Dehner, Dee Carroll, Sheila Bromley, James Bell, Dani Crayne, Howard Wendell, Charles Cane, Phil … Continue reading →

Posted in 1956, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 10, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1930 Columbia picture Rain or Shine, with Joe Cook, Louise Fazenda, Joan Peers, William Collier Jr., Tom Howard, Dave Chason (Chasen), Alan Roscoe, Adolph Milar, Clarence Muse, Nella Walker, Edward Martindale, Nora Lane and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Brand Library

Posted on July 10, 2023 by lmharnisch

“Aerodrome Replacing Country-House Garage,” Illustrated London News, Oct. 29, 1921, Courtesy of Mary Mallory   Note: This is an encore post from 2012 Unique thematic architectural homes stand out all around the Los Angeles area, like Yamashiro and Frank Lloyd … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood Heights, Libraries, Location Sleuth, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Brand Library

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, July 2023

Posted on July 4, 2023 by lmharnisch

Here’s the Ask Me Anything for July. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 3, 2023 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1959 Paramount picture The Black Orchid, with Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, Mark Richman, Virginia Vincent, Frank Puglia, Jimmy Baird, Naomi Stevens, Whit Bissell, Robert Carricart, Joe di Reda and Jack Washburn. Introducing Ina Balin.

Posted in 1959, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Sessue Hayakawa’s ‘Dragon Painter’

Posted on July 3, 2023 by lmharnisch

The Dragon Painter, showing at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. In 1919, Sessue Hayakawa ranked as one of America’s top matinee idols. Intense, brooding, and handsome, the actor possessed enormous charisma and talent, securing him almost instanteous success upon … Continue reading →

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

Posted on June 27, 2023 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I’ll be doing an “Ask Me Anything” on the Black Dahlia case Tuesday, July 4, at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Can’t make the live session? Email me your questions and I’ll answer them! The video will be posted once … Continue reading →

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