Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Black Dahlia: Doug Laux on ‘Selling the Black Dahlia’

Posted on May 30, 2022 by lmharnisch

Here’s Doug Laux’s “story behind the story” on the Black Dahlia. You may have listened to Doug’s Black Dahlia podcast, released in January. Doug spent years on the Dahlia project, pitching it to various people. That “true” crime podcast you … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 30, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1942 Twentieth Century-Fox picture Moontide, with Jean Gabin, Ida Lupino, Thomas Mitchell, Claude Rains, Jerome Cowan, Helene Reynolds, Ralph Byrd, William Halligan, Sen Yung, Chester Gan, Robin Raymond, Arthur Aylesworth, Arthur Hohl, John Kelly, … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Charles Fang – Pioneering Chinese American Actor

Posted on May 24, 2022 by lmharnisch

Charles Fang, Exhibitors Herald, November 11, 1922. At a time when Chinese born in the United States could not become citizens, could be easily deported, and were prevented from immigrating to this country due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in Asians, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 23, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1938 Warner Bros. picture The Beloved Brat, with Bonita Granville, Dolores Costello, Donald Crisp, Natalie Moorhead, Lucile Gleason, Donald Briggs, Emmett Vogan, Loia Cheaney, Leo Gorcey, Ellen Lowe, Mary Doyle, Paul Everton, Bernice Pilot, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1938, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: San Francisco Silent Film Festival at 25

Posted on May 18, 2022 by lmharnisch

After a two-year absence, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary May 5 through 11 at the Castro Theatre with a melange of films providing a feast for the eyes and the emotions. Thoughtful programming toured the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, San Francisco | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: A Personal Message to Steve Hodel

Posted on May 17, 2022 by lmharnisch

A short personal message to Steve Hodel. And have a cinnamon roll.

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 16, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1959 Twentieth Century-Fox picture Blue Denim, with Carol Lynley, Brandon de Wilde, Macdonald Carey, Marsha Hunt, Warren Berlinger, Buck Class, Nina Shipman, Vaughn Taylor, Roberta Shore and Mary Young.

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Norman Kerry, Preservationist

Posted on May 16, 2022 by lmharnisch

Norman Kerry in 1924. Note: This is an encore post from 2019. Long before billionaire investor Ron Burkle purchased and restored such historic architectural properties as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis-Brown House, Harold Lloyd’s Greenacres, and Bob Hope’s Palm Springs and … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: New Books Examine Film Noir, the Mankiewicz Brothers and Women in the Movies

Posted on May 10, 2022 by lmharnisch

Over the last several months, a plethora of film books have been released, examining Golden Age Hollywood up close or at large, offering something for everyone from experienced cinephiles to new film fans. Some come from TCM hosts or others … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 9, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1944 Universal picture Phantom Lady, with Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis, Thomas Gomez, Aurora, Elisha Cook Jr., Fay Helm, Regis Toomey, Joseph Crehan and Andrew Tombes.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 46 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 2, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1931 First National picture Chances by A. Hamilton Gibbs, with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Rose Hobart, Anthony Bushell, Holmes Herbert, Mary Forbes, Edmond Breon and Harry Allen.

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

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

Posted on May 2, 2022 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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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: TCM Classic Film Festival Salutes Hollywood’s Golden Age

Posted on April 28, 2022 by lmharnisch

After a two-year absence due to the Covid pandemic, the TCM Classic Film Festival triumphantly returned to Hollywood, four-day nirvana for vintage film fans. The festival joyfully celebrated classic cinema, screening mostly 35-millimeter film prints on the big screen the … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on April 25, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1943 picture Hangmen Also Die! with Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennan, Anna Lee, Gene Lockhart, Dennis O’Keefe, Alexander Granach, Margaret Wycherly, Tonio Selwart, Jonathan Hale, H.H. v. Twardowski, Billy Roy, Reinhold Schuenzel, Louis Donath, Arno … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – ‘Auction of Souls’

Posted on April 25, 2022 by lmharnisch

Photo: June 23, 1919, “Auction of Souls.” Credit: Los Angeles Times Note: This is an encore post from 2011. Los Angeles has long been a haven for refugees and artists, particularly those fleeing political and militaristic struggles.  As early as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, 1919, Brain Trust, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Religion | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – ‘Auction of Souls’

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on April 18, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1954 Warner Bros. film Track of the Cat, with Robert Mitchum, Teresa Wright, Diana Lynn, Tab Hunter, Beulah Bondi, Philip Tonge, William Hopper and Carl Switzer.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: TCM Classic Film Festival Returns to the Big Screen

Posted on April 18, 2022 by lmharnisch

The TCM Classic Film Festival welcomes movie fans as it returns to Hollywood after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The festival features something for everyone, whether it’s star appearances, new film restorations, classics films, and even special programming. … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Noir City Packs a Modern Punch

Posted on April 13, 2022 by lmharnisch

Noir City Hollywood, with hosts Eddie Muller and Alan K. Rode, is back, hitting town with a vengeance Friday with stunning photochemical restorations and 35-millimeter prints after an almost two-year absence due to the pandemic. The hard-boiled, driving lineup features … Continue reading →

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

Black Dahlia: BethShort.com Domain Listed for $5,499

Posted on April 12, 2022 by lmharnisch

BethShort.com c. 1998, platform for the late, lying John Gilmore and many graphic crime scene photos. If you were on the Infobahn in the dial-up modem days and were interested in the Black Dahlia case, you may recall Pamela Hazleton’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Homicide | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on April 11, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 Paramount picture Double Door, “The play that made Broadway gasp,” with Evelyn Venable, Sir Guy Standing, Kent Taylor, Mary Morris, Anne Revere, Colin Tapley, Virginia Howell, Halliwell Hobbes, Frank Dawson, Helen Shipman and … Continue reading →

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