Category Archives: 1944

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Classic Film Noir, Part 3

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m using the May 15 post by Louella Parsons on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as director of “Laura” to spend some time examining the production of the film noir classic. The previous post was … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 29, 1944

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 29, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 28 — JACK WARNER has had his checkbook out all the time he’s been in New York, buying plays like mad. He paid a quarter of a million dollars for “Chicken Every Sunday,” the Phil … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, May 29, 1944

Posted on May 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 29, 1944 Life’s cover story features Lt. Gen Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, commander of the American air forces preparing for the invasion of Europe. Gjon Mili photographs Gene Kelly dancing. The movie of the week is “Once Upon a Time,” … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Classic Film Noir, Part 2

Posted on May 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, prompted by Louella Parsons’ May 15 post that Rouben Mamoulian had asked to be released as director of “Laura” (later accounts will say that he was fired), I’m looking at the making of the … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 28, 1944

Posted on May 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 28, 1944 Gypsy Rose Lee says: “There are three types of strip teasers. The loud and brazen girl, who comes out on the stage and shrieks; then there is the demure kind, who acts scared to death, and finally … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 1

Posted on May 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

The May 15, 1944, post by Louella Parsons about Rouben Mamoulian asking to be released as the director of “Laura” made me think that it would be worth taking a closer look at the production of the 20th Century-Fox film, … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip, Louella Parsons, May 27, 1944

Posted on May 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

Carole Landis and William Eythe play cards. May 27, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 26 — Ingrid Bergman is one of the few actresses who has all hits, all runs and no errors to her credit, so I am not surprised that … Continue reading →

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1944 on the Radio — ‘The First Nighter’

Posted on May 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 24, 1944: “The First Nighter” in a show titled “Speak Ever So Gently.” Courtesy of otronmp3.com.

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 23, 1944

Posted on May 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 23, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 22 — Fr. Flanagan’s “Boys Town” was a big money maker. So it is no surprise to hear that MGM has bought the rights to film a movie around the idea of “Boys Ranch,” the … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, May 22, 1944

Posted on May 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 22, 1944 America is waiting breathlessly for the impending invasion of Europe. In Dallas, churches promised to ring their bells and open their sanctuaries for prayer as soon as the invasion was announced. With the South hit by flooding … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip, May 22, 1944

Posted on May 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 22, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 21 — Joan Bennett laughed when I mentioned that I had heard on the Twentieth lot that she was to co-star with Fred MacMurray in “Nob Hill.” “It looks,” said Joan, “as if I am … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 21, 1944

Posted on May 21, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 21, 1944 Louella Parsons asks Olivia De Havilland: “Do you feel your court battle with Warners will affect your chances of getting back to the screen and good pictures?” “Certainly not,” she said. “I won and am now reading … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 20, 1944

Posted on May 20, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 20, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 19 — Don Ameche and Twentieth Century-Fox are parting company. After a series of conferences failed to bring about an agreement, Don decided to move to another studio. His contract expires the last of June. … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 16, 1944

Posted on May 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 16, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 15 —  A year ago Dick Haymes sat on a park bench in New York and wondered how he was going to support his wife and baby. Today he is to have the lead opposite … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’: The Making of a Classic Film Noir – Adventures in Research

Posted on May 15, 2014 by lmharnisch

Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” has inspired a long detour into the production of the film – beginning with Vera Caspary and her 1942 novel. Given the typical state … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, May 15, 1944

Posted on May 15, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 15, 1944 On the cover, George Rodger’s photo of Sir Bernard Montgomery. This week’s movie:  “The Hitler Gang,” starring Robert Watson as Hitler. And a photo essay by Andreas Feininger on war production in the U.S. Courtesy of Google … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ and Jennifer Jones

Posted on May 15, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 15, 1944 Louella Parsons says: Rouben Mamoulian has asked to be released from directing “Laura” and Otto Preminger, the producer of this much discussed movie, will direct the picture. The trouble is a difference of opinion of the psychological … Continue reading →

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Nazis Prepare for Invasion of Europe, May 14, 1944

Posted on May 14, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 14, 1944 The invasion of Europe is less than a month away. Even the Germans admit it. On the jump: Movies in production: “Farewell, My Lovely,” “The House of Fear” and “A Stranger in Our Midst.” Best Sellers: “The … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 14, 1944

Posted on May 14, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 14, 1944 Joe E. Brown pioneered entertainment in Alaska and the South Pacific, and only Don Barclay beat him to China. Bill Gargan, who was with Paulette Goddard in China, says the name Barclay is known to every serviceman … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, May 13, 1933

Posted on May 13, 2014 by lmharnisch

May 13, 1944 HOLLYWOOD, May 12 — The warm admiration David Wark Griffith has for Preston Sturges and his delight in “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek” will shortly result in a business association. D.W. wrote a motion picture version of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments