Category Archives: Architecture

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 22

Posted on April 3, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. I’m examining the history of 1110 Benedict Canyon Drive, where, as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Batchelder Fireplace

Posted on March 31, 2012 by lmharnisch

A (mostly) complete Batchelder fireplace that was salvaged – if that’s the right term – from a Catholic school in Wisconsin has been listed on EBay. The vendor says: “There were a few ornate carved animal 4″x4″ tiles that i … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Batchelder Tile, Found on EBay, Preservation | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on March 30, 2012 by lmharnisch

This will be too easy, but after Geene Courtney, I thought I should pick something everybody will recognize. Yes, everyone recognized this as Janet Gaynor’s feet in “A Star Is Born.” Ed was first, followed by Michael Ryerson, Mary Mallory, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , | 28 Comments

The Black Dahlia and Downtown L.A. at Night, 1946

Posted on March 29, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: Man with a slate in footage shot for “Down to Earth.” My friends over at the 1947project have found some process footage that was filmed about April 1946 for the Columbia feature “Down to Earth.” It’s unfortunate that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Black Dahlia, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Preservation, Theaters | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 19

Posted on March 23, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. I am still on the trail of the mysterious Mr. Jacob/Jack/Jacques … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, 1946, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Books and Authors, Chicago, Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Hollis Mulwray House – Update

Posted on February 29, 2012 by lmharnisch

Back in July, I posted a photo showing renovations on the house at 1315 S. El Molino that was used in “Chinatown.” Here’s how it looks today.

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

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 4

Posted on February 24, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Yesterday, in Part 3, I was exploring the history of Hollywood … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transportation | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Movieland Architectural Mystery — Solved

Posted on February 17, 2012 by lmharnisch

The Brain Trust has solved the mystery of the department store used in “The Public Enemy.” Thanks to Craig Deco, Lee Rivas and Nathan Marask! Here are our young ruffians (Frank Coghlan Jr. and Frankie Darro) sliding down the escalator … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Interior Design, Location Sleuth | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Architecture Edition

Posted on February 15, 2012 by lmharnisch

The more intriguing mystery of “The Public Enemy” is the department store used in the early part of the film. Recall that our young ruffians run through an unidentified department store, committing all sorts of mischief and aggravated mopery. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Help the Los Angeles Public Library!

Posted on February 10, 2012 by lmharnisch

Dear Brain Trust: Our friends at the Los Angeles Public Library photo collection are trying to identify this photo. I know you can do it!

Posted in Architecture, Libraries, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Molestation Suspect Questioned in Killing of Girl, 9

Posted on January 25, 2012 by lmharnisch

Jan. 25, 1942: Detectives Harry Fremont and Jack Dwight are questioning Leo M. King, accused of molesting a 5-year-old girl, in the death of Dorothy Lee Gordon. The case of Dorothy Gordon, an African American child who was kidnapped and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Architecture, Art & Artists, Cold Cases, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo, World War II | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Black Dahlia at 65

Posted on January 15, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: Lobby of the Biltmore Hotel, Jan. 9, 2012, 6:30 p.m. Credit: Larry Harnisch/L.A. Daily Mirror. I wandered over to the Biltmore on Monday night to keep my annual appointment. I’m not compulsive about being there, and I don’t bother … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Donald Wolfe, Downtown, Film, History, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , | 24 Comments

The Bradbury Building and the Mystery of ‘China Girl’ [Updated +]

Posted on January 14, 2012 by lmharnisch

This is an establishing shot from the 1942 feature “China Girl,” which was obviously filmed in the Bradbury Building. Or was it? [Update: If this is a set, as it appears to be, where did Twentieth Century-Fox build it? People … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged | 26 Comments

The Black Dahlia: Biltmore Hotel

Posted on January 11, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo 1: Biltmore Hotel, Jan. 9, 2012, 6:30 p.m. Credit: Larry Harnisch Photo 2: Biltmore Hotel, 1940s The top photo shows the old lobby of the Biltmore on Monday as it was on the anniversary of the night Elizabeth Short … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Architecture, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Donald Wolfe, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Interior Design, LAPD | Tagged , | 19 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on January 8, 2012 by lmharnisch

… and this movie would be?

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on January 7, 2012 by lmharnisch

And this movie would be? Perhaps you would like a hint….

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on January 6, 2012 by lmharnisch

I was watching this movie the other night and thought: “Hey! Wait a minute. That’s…..” The film shouldn’t be too hard to identify. But the location …  hmmmmmm. As I often say, living in Los Angeles is like living in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 28 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 26, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: 1206 N. Kingsley Drive via Google’s Street View. I was watching a certain film the other day and what should flash by but a California driver’s license. Google would reveal the answer, so the character’s name has been snipped. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles City Hall is in the background. Where was this shot and what’s the movie?

Posted in Architecture, City Hall, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

L.A. Christmas Card, 1911

Posted on December 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Olive and 5th via Google’s Street View. Notice the vacant lot where Philharmonic Auditorium used to be. Demolition is forever. This truly awesome 1911 Christmas card, showing Philharmonic Auditorium and part of what is now Pershing Square, has been listed … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, Architecture, Downtown, Preservation, Theaters | Tagged , | 6 Comments