Category Archives: Film

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Carrie Jacobs-Bond, Hollywood Tunesmith

Long before Harold Arlen wrote “Lose That Long Face” for “A Star Is Born” starring Judy Garland, songwriter Carrie Jacobs-Bond practiced those words. Mostly forgotten today, Jacobs-Bond was one of the most successful composers of the 20th century. She endured … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jerry Lewis – The Day the Clown Played Baseball

I was fairly certain that I had written about this uniform – or at least a uniform – for Jerry Lewis’ baseball team, the Clowns, but I can’t seem to locate the post anywhere. In any event, a uniform for … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Sports | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

And here’s Monday’s mystery photo!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 43 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Rah! Rah! Hollywood Celebrates Pennants

Hollywood has always been creative in promoting its films and personalities to the public. Employing posters, lobby cards, window cards and photographs, silent film production companies hyped upcoming films. With the success of these forms of advertisements and publicity, companies … Continue reading →

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

L.A. Becomes N.Y.

I snapped this photo yesterday of the Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway dressed as the Montclair. Notice the New York taxicab. You’re a long way from home, pal. Hey, it’s Blythe Danner!

Posted in 2013, Broadway, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, New York | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on L.A. Becomes N.Y.

Sex Talk in Pasadena Canceled Due to Lack of Interest

Sept. 12, 1953: Angry San Fernando Valley residents picket Lockheed’s plant in Van Nuys after a jet trainer crashed, killing Phyllis O’Kray, 16504 Chase St., Sepulveda. Lockheed executive Courtland S. Gross expressed regret over O’Kray’s death and noted that the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, Aviation, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Escaped Soldier Denies Attacking Former Screen Star

Sept. 11, 1943: The Times features the Los Angeles Times-Army Ordnance in Action Show being held at Exposition Park. The Times promised that “visitors will see the massive 32-ton Gen. Sherman tanks whose tough armor and deadly firepower blasted the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Music, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

And for Monday, a mystery woman.

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

‘Headline Happy’ by Florabel Muir

A copy of Florabel Muir’s “Headline Happy” has been listed on EBay for $75. Muir’s book is interesting, and tends to be priced high, but I would never pay that kind of money for a copy – especially with a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ‘Headline Happy’ by Florabel Muir

Black Dahlia and ‘Double Indemnity’ – KCET Gets It Way Wrong

Is it really possible to write about the film “Double Indemnity” without mentioning Raymond Chandler, who collaborated on the screenplay, or James M. Cain, who wrote the book that was the basis for the film? Sadly, Ryan Reft (identified as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Mary Mallory’s ‘Hollywoodland’ Now Available at Amazon

The L.A. Daily Mirror is very pleased to announce that Mary Mallory has collected her first entries in the Hollywood Heights series — with additional content — into an ebook that is now available on Amazon. The book is available … Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Cinecon 2013, Part 2

A still from “Suddenly It’s Spring” has been listed on EBay with a price of $9.35. Labor Day weekend at Cinecon is jam-packed with movies all day. For the first time, Saturday’s session began a little later at noon, and … Continue reading →

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

Barbara Graham Sobs During Son’s Visit to Jail

Sept. 6, 1953: Barbara Graham, on trial in the Mabel Monahan killing, sobs “almost hysterically” as she holds her 18-month-old son, Tommy, during a visit at the Hall of Justice, The Times says. He was in the custody of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Film, Hill Street, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Cinecon 2013, Part 1

Featured at Cinecon: Carmen Miranda in “Down Argentine Way.” Another year, another Cinecon. A jam-packed schedule of watching films, sharing meals, and trying to catch up with friends from far and near during the five days. Cinecon, a 49-year-old film … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Union Pleads With Streetcar Workers Not to Strike

Sept. 5, 1943: Explaining that “war strategies between President Roosevelt and Britain’s Prime Minister Churchill come first,” William P. Nutter of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen pleads with dissatisfied employees of the Pacific Electric Railway to stay on the job. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Union Pleads With Streetcar Workers Not to Strike

Man Kills Wife and Daughter, Commits Suicide Over Pink Bedroom

Sept. 4, 1933: A streetcar broadsides an auto at the crossing on Olympic Boulevard between Broadway and Figueroa, killing two people and leaving two others near death, The Times said. A man fatally stabs his estranged wife and daughter, then … Continue reading →

Posted in 1933, Art & Artists, Comics, Downtown, Film, Homicide, LAPD, Main Street, Nightclubs, San Fernando Valley, Streetcars, Suicide, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated +++)

And for Monday, three mystery gents.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — The Three Lives Of Villa Aurora

Cats have nine lives. People often experience second or third acts in their lives or careers. Some homes have multiple lives as well, like Villa Aurora, which has experienced three diverse lives, bringing knowledge and refuge to those who come … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Barbara Graham Defense Wins Delay After Prosecution Bombshell

Aug. 30, 1953: Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charles W. Fricke grants attorneys for Barbara Graham a slight delay in opening their defense after the prosecution closes with a “bombshell”: A transcript of a recorded conversation between Graham and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Parents Sue Doctor Who Said Baby Girl Was a Boy!

Aug. 29, 1943: The family of Marine Cpl. Carroll E. Trego, a radio operator captured in the fall of Wake Island, receives a letter written from a prisoner of war camp in Shanghai. Dr. John M. Andrews is being sued … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Medicine, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments