Category Archives: Books and Authors

James Curtis: William Cameron Menzies — The Shape of Films to Come

Posted on November 2, 2015 by lmharnisch

We had lunch recently with James Curtis, who showed us a copy of his upcoming biography: “William Cameron Menzies: The Shape of Films to Come,” to be released Nov. 17. James is justly proud of his book, which is the … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays’ by Karie Bible and Mary Mallory: Coming Soon to Your Bookstore

Posted on October 26, 2015 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory and Karie Bible (whom we profiled at The Times) have collaborated on a new book, “Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays,” which goes on sale starting Wednesday. The book is published by Schiffer and includes 200 images from the silent … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Parkey Sharkey’s ‘Whiskey Road’

Posted on September 15, 2015 by lmharnisch

A copy of Parkey Sharkey’s “Whiskey Road” has been listed on EBay. Many people believe that Sharkey was invented by Mirror/Times columnist Paul Coates. He was for real. Bidding on “Whiskey Road” starts at $24.95. ALSO Paul Coates on Parkey … Continue reading →

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Hector Tobar: ‘Deep Down Dark’

Posted on September 13, 2015 by lmharnisch

Hector Tobar, with Carolina Miranda of The Times, discusses “Deep Down Dark” at the Last Bookstore, photo courtesy of the Last Bookstore. We stopped by  the Last Bookstore last night to hear our old friend and former colleague Hector Tobar … Continue reading →

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‘Primates of Park Avenue’: ‘Holes Big Enough to Drive an Escalade Through’

Posted on June 7, 2015 by lmharnisch

Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein of the New York Post do some fact-checking on the bestselling book “Primates of Park Avenue,” by Wednesday/Wendy Martin. Executive summary: “Holes big enough to drive an Escalade through.” An excellent Sunday read and a … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: ‘Dead to Me’ by Mary McCoy

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lmharnisch

Last week’s mail brought us an advance copy of “Dead to Me” by our longtime friend Mary McCoy of the Los Angeles Public Library, one of the leading lights among those of us who research L.A. history and a past … Continue reading →

Posted in 1948, 2015, Books and Authors, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What I’m Reading

Posted on February 6, 2015 by lmharnisch

Yesterday’s mail brought two long-anticipated books. The recently published “Missing Reels” by Farran Smith Nehme and an advance copy of Mary McCoy’s “Dead to Me.” I may do nothing but read this weekend.

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Al Martinez, a Dying Boy and Some Peaches

Posted on January 14, 2015 by lmharnisch

Jim Romenesko, for those who aren’t in the news business, runs an essential blog that serves as a clearing house for information, gossip, bad headlines and assorted gaffes. A Jan. 6 post dealt with former Times columnist Al Martinez, who … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1958, Books and Authors, Columnists | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Al Martinez — ‘Jigsaw John’

Posted on January 13, 2015 by lmharnisch

While people are remembering former Times columnist Al Martinez, it’s good to mention his 1975 book “Jigsaw John,” about LAPD Detective John St. John, who was one of the caretakers of the Black Dahlia case at Robbery-Homicide. Copies are available … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 46

Posted on January 8, 2015 by lmharnisch

Joseph “Jay” Dratler in a photo from the cover of his 1947 novel “The Pitfall,” listed on EBay at Buy It Now for $245.   Joseph “Jay” Dratler, who received the first screenwriting credit on “Laura,” is a somewhat obscure … Continue reading →

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Ray Bradbury’s Unrealized Opera: ‘Leviathan ‘99’

Posted on December 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

Since Ray Bradbury died in 2012, I have been rummaging around the Daily Mirror archives in a frustrating search for a copy of his libretto for an opera titled “Leviathan ’99,” which I obtained many years ago when I was … Continue reading →

Posted in 1984, Books and Authors, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: A Brief History of the Tom and Jerry

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

A recipe for the Tom and Jerry from the San Francisco Call, June 30, 1912. Note: This is a repost from 2013. Over on Facebook, Christopher McPherson asked whether the Tom and Jerry was named for the MGM cartoon characters. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1862, Books and Authors, Food and Drink | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Final suggestion: “Missing Reels,” by Farran Smith Nehme, who writes so wonderfully about films on the Self-Styled Siren. “Missing Reels” is available from Amazon. Locally, it’s listed at Book Soup (“on our shelves now”), Skylight Books (“ships to store in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 42

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

An image from the Broadway play “In Time to Come,” directed by Otto Preminger, listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $32.75. In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, World War I, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 41

Posted on December 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Otto Preminger makes his film debut as an actor in 1942 in “The Pied Piper.” Preminger said in a 1970 interview in On Film: “Although I’m Jewish, I can look like a Nazi if I shave my head.” The film … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, 1943, 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Stage | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

If you are running a bit late in your holiday shopping, you might consider an advance order of “Dead to Me,” a YA (young adult) novel to be issued by Disney-Hyperion in March. “Dead to Me” is by Mary McCoy, … Continue reading →

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‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 40

Posted on December 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 39

Posted on December 17, 2014 by lmharnisch

  In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a repost from 2013. Today’s holiday gift suggestion is the latest biography from Eve Golden, “John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars.” The Daily Mirror likes to support its local independent bookstore whenever possible. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 38

Posted on December 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments