Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Opens March 31, 1923

Posted on April 5, 2022 by lmharnisch

An ad for Hollywoodland, October 1923. On March 31, 1923, owners of a new hillside development in the Hollywood Hills called Hollywoodland announced the opening of their elaborate new tract in stories run in Los Angeles and Hollywood newspapers. For … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on April 4, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1927 silent picture Rubber Tires, with Bessie Love, Harrison Ford, Erwin Connelly, May Robson, Frank Coghlan Jr., John Patrick and Clarence Burton.

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

Black Dahlia: Larry Harnisch Reviews Steve Hodel on ‘Black Dahlia Avenger’

Posted on March 30, 2022 by lmharnisch

I made a “reaction” video of me watching a Steve Hodel Zoom session sponsored by Sisters in Crime of Atlanta. I have been fact-checking Steve Hodel since Black Dahlia Avenger was published in 2003 and even I was amazed by … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 28, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1950 Republic film House by the River, with Louis Hayward, Lee Bowman, Jane Wyatt, Dorothy Patrick, Ann Shoemaker, Jody Gilbert, Peter Brocco, Howland Chamberlin, Margaret Seddon, Sarah Padden, Kathleen Freeman, Will Wright, Leslie Kimmell … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Crossword Mama, You Puzzle Me

Posted on March 28, 2022 by lmharnisch

“Cross Word Puzzle Mama, You Puzzle Me,” courtesy of Mary Mallory. Recording of “Cross Word Puzzle Mama.” Note: This is an encore post from 2014. The 1920s were a decade of fads. Everything from mah jongg, radio, bridge, golf, solitaire … Continue reading →

Posted in 1924, 1925, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Elsa Lopez, Silent Film Art Director

Posted on March 22, 2022 by lmharnisch

Scenes of Paris, 1922, art direction by Elsa Lopez. Virtually unknown today, women like Elsa Lopez played an integral part in the early silent film industry. Not just actresses or in administrative behind-the-scenes jobs, females made active contributions in creating … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 21, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1956 MGM picture Meet Me in Las Vegas, with Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse, Agnes Moorehead, Lili Darvas, Jim Backus, Oscar Karlweis, Liliane Montevecchi, Cara Williams, George Kerris, Betty Lynn, Pete Rugolo, Jerry Colonna, Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 53 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 14, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1958 Universal picture A Time to Love and a Time to Die, with John Gavin, Lilo Pulver, Jock Mahoney, Don DeFore, Kennan Wynn, Erich Maria Remarque, Dieter Borsche, Barbara Rutting, Thayer David, Charles Regnier, … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Reading Codes on Movie Stills

Posted on March 14, 2022 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post, Mary’s first from 2011! Mary says: For Thelma Todd, 802 is the production number for FOLLOW THRU.  The 154 could be a scene code; usually that’s after a dash following the main number.  Paramount … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mary Mallory, Mystery Photo, Photography | 2 Comments

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

Posted on March 13, 2022 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!!

Posted in Animals, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Daylight Saving Time: A Reminder From Pier Angeli and the Daily Mirror

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 7, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1929 First National picture Sally, with Marilyn Miller, Alexander Gray, Joe E. Brown, T. Roy Barnes, Pert Kelton, Ford Sterling, Maude Turner Gordon, E.J. Ratcliffe, Jack Duffy, Ethel Stone and Nora Lane.

Posted in 1929, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Gladys Rosson, DeMille’s Right-Hand Woman

Posted on March 7, 2022 by lmharnisch

Gladys Rosson in the Salt Lake City Tribune, 1940. Larger than life film director Cecil B. DeMille surrounded himself with intelligent, strong women at home and work to keep his empire running. Impressed with his mother’s thoughtfulness and drive, a … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 28, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1938 MGM picture Listen, Darling, with Judy Garland, Freddie Bartholomew, Mary Astor, Walter Pidgeon, Alan Hale, Scotty Beckett, Barnett Parker, Gene Lockhart and Charley Grapewin.

Posted in 1938, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – Erte and the Movies

Posted on February 28, 2022 by lmharnisch

Nov. 3, 1925: Romain de Tirtoff — also known as Erte — with Carmel Myers. Note: This is an encore post from 2011. In 1925, Romain de Tirtoff, better known under the pseudonym Erte, was one of the most highly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1925, Art & Artists, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 21, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1933 Universal picture The Kiss Before the Mirror, with Nancy Carroll, Frank Morgan, Paul Lukas, Gloria Stuart, Jean Dixon, Donald Cook, Charles Grapewin, Walter Pidgeon, Wallis Clark, May Boley, Christian Rub and Reginald Mason.

Posted in 1933, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

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

Posted on February 21, 2022 by lmharnisch

Mabel Fairbanks in the California Eagle, Nov. 8, 1945. Knockout African American ice skater Mabel Fairbanks wowed audiences from the 1940s through the 1960s. A true natural, she exuded joy and happiness twirling and gliding upon the ice. While extremely … 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 14, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1930 film Her Man, with Helen Twelvetrees, Phillips Holmes, Marjorie Rambeau, James Gleason, Ricardo Cortez, Harry Sweet, Slim Summerville, Thelma Todd, Franklin Pangborn, Stanley Fields, Mathew (often Matthew) Betz and Mike Donlin. (Yes, James … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 57 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Hollywood’s Architect | The Paul R. Williams Story’ – A Moving Portrait of Renowned Black Leader

Posted on February 14, 2022 by lmharnisch

Courtesy of KCET/PBS SoCal. Note: This is an encore post from 2020. The documentary is online here. Long renowned for its excellent documentaries and intelligent programming, KCET PBS SoCal premieres another strong work with its moving portrait of pioneering African … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 7, 2022 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1955 RKO Superscope production Underwater! with Jane Russell, Gilbert Roland, Richard Egan, Lori Nelson, Robert Keith, Joseph Calleia, Eugene Iglesias and Ric Roman.

Posted in 1955, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – United Artists Theatre

Posted on February 7, 2022 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2012. Los Angeles and Hollywood have been the Mecca and Medina of movies, where their acolytes came to worship, work and learn in the teens and 1920s.  After making movies, reverent places of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, 1927, Architecture, Art & Artists, Downtown, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Preservation, Religion, Theaters | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – United Artists Theatre