Category Archives: Film

July 15, 1957: The laughter dies; Abbott and Costello break up the act

Posted on July 15, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 15, 1957: Abbott and Costello break up the act. Abbott was going to retire to his ranch in Ojai. Costello was going solo — he wouldn’t work with anyone else. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Sign Built and Illuminated November-December 1923

Posted on July 14, 2026 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory has a word for everyone celebrating the Hollywood Sign’s anniversary in July: It was in November-December 1923. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + +)

Posted on July 13, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 6, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow (no worries, it all works out in the end). Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

July 5, 1927: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on July 5, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1927: The prison warden replies to Christine Collins regarding parole for her husband, Walter. Christine Collins’ tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie ‘Changeling.’ Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Leave a comment

July 1, 1947: ‘Mom and Dad’ — Elliot Forbes and Sexploitation in the 1940s

Posted on July 1, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1947: Elliot Forbes and the notorious sexploitation film “Mom and Dad.” Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, June 30, 1931

Posted on June 30, 2026 by lmharnisch

June, 30, 1931: Police Chief R.E. Steckel tells the parole board that Walter Collins should be considered a habitual criminal. Collins’ wife, Christine, was the inspiration for Clint Eastwood’s film ‘Changeling.’ Continue reading →

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Coming Attractions: ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’ (1963) in Beverly Hills

Posted on June 29, 2026 by lmharnisch

Stanley Kramer’s 1963 comedy ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’ will be shown Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. Kramer’s widow and daughter will appear and James Curtis will sign his new book on the making of the film. Continue reading →

Posted in 1963, Artist's Notebook, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 29, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have two mysterious guests and an enigmatic vehicle. Continue reading →

Posted in 1971, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

June 23, 1947: Jim Tully, Hobo Novelist and Prizefighter, Dies at 56

Posted on June 23, 2026 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1947: Jim Tully, hobo author of “Shanty Irish” and “Beggars of Life” dies at 56. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 22, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mystery girl having tea with her mysterious doll. Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Tsuru Aoki, Lotus Flower of the Cinema

Posted on June 15, 2026 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory profiles Japanese American actress Tsuru Aoki, often obscured by her famous husband, Sessue Hayakawa. An encore post from 2017. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 15, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have two mysterious guests. Continue reading →

Posted in 1951, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have some very mysterious guests! Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Black L.A. 1947: USC Film Student Refuses ‘Uncle Tom’ Role in Radio Play

Posted on June 5, 2026 by lmharnisch

June 5, 1947: USC film student James C. Johnson, a member of the Delta Kappa Alpha cinema fraternity, said he would not play a role in a student’s radio play because it depicted “the Negro as stereotype,” the Sentinel said. Continue reading →

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June 4, 1947: Television Comes to Los Angeles

Posted on June 4, 2026 by lmharnisch

June 4, 1947: Television comes to Los Angeles on T-Day (March 10, 1947) with KTLA and W6XAO. By June 4, the stations aired baseball, test patterns and Queen for a Day. Continue reading →

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June 4, 1941: Burbank Man Invents Death Ray!

Posted on June 4, 2026 by lmharnisch

June 4, 1941: A Burbank man claims to have invented a death ray that will kill rabbits at 100 yards. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1941, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Death Rays, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on June 4, 1941: Burbank Man Invents Death Ray!

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 1, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious girl. Continue reading →

Posted in 1945, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 25, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious girl and Back of the Head Woman. Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 29 Comments

May 19, 1939: Soldier Killed, Hundreds Hurt in Holy Land Riots

Posted on May 19, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 19, 1939: A British soldier is killed and at least 200 are injured by rioting in the Holy Land as Jews protest Britain’s plan for Palestine. Also a talking pelican with a machine gun. Continue reading →

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