Category Archives: Film

Navy Releases Accounts of Pearl Harbor

Posted on December 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1941: The Navy releases three personal accounts of the Pearl Harbor attack. Many acts of heroism are described, and these few lines shed more light on the presence of African Americans (recall that the armed services were segregated … Continue reading →

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‘Citizen Kane’ Movie of the Year

Posted on December 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 21, 1941: Philip K. Scheuer writes: “Citizen Kane”  is, for this column, picture of 1941. It would be that if only because it jolted Hollywood once again into realizing the possibilities of the screen as a storytelling medium in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Mysterious Mauser

Posted on December 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

We’re very curious at the Daily Mirror HQ these days about what sort of pistol Robert Downey Jr. is using in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” For example, in this picture he’s got a nice broomhandle Mauser. Notice that … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 6 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

December 19, 1941: Japanese Spy Ring Smashed, FBI Says

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

December 19, 1941: The suicide of Dr. Rikita Honda, who slashed his wrists while in custody at Terminal Island, revealed that he was the director of a vast spy ring, the FBI says.  Honda was head of the Imperial Comradeship … Continue reading →

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Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Image of a horse-drawn hearse, part of a group of five pictures listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $300. Queen of the Dead – dateline December 19, 2011 •  Word has come in of the long-expected but still sad … Continue reading →

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Academy Awards Banquet Canceled; Oscars Postponed Due to War

Posted on December 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 18, 1941: Louis A. Tyler reports to the Navy recruiting office after receiving a telegram informing him of the death of his son, Fireman 3rd Class George L. Tyler,  at Pearl Harbor. “My purpose is to take my son’s … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated +]

Posted on December 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

[Update: This is Evelyn Daw in the 1937 film “Something to Sing About,” in which James Cagney plays a bandleader.] Here’s a mystery lady from the amazing collection of Steven Bibb! There’s a new photo on the jump!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Former LAPD Chief Demoted to Lieutenant

Posted on December 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

Wake Island will fall to the Japanese on Dec. 23, 1941. Dec 17, 1941: Police Chief C. B. Horrall demotes former Chief Arthur C. Hohmann from deputy chief to lieutenant and assigns him to the Highland Park station. Hohmann, who … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s a mystery pair from the incredible collection of Steven Bibb – in the news business this pose is often called a “grip and grin.” [Update: Producer Harlan Thompson welcomes Gladys Swarthout to Hollywood to appear in “Champagne Waltz,” 1936. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Soldier Kills Civilian in Tragedy at Airport Checkpoint

Posted on December 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Terrific artwork from the incredible Milton Caniff. Dec. 15, 1941: A group of soldiers was stopping motorists on Sepulveda Boulevard near the airport to strip off blue cellophane that had been illegally put over the headlights in the new wartime … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

War Cancels Rose Parade, Dec. 14, 1941

Posted on December 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 14, 1941: The Rose Parade is canceled and the Rose Bowl – between Duke and Oregon State – is moved to Durham, N.C. The streets of Pasadena were oddly quiet on New Year’s Day as millions reviewed memories of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Tom Treanor, World War II | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Update]

Posted on December 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

Gosh, a mystery photo in color? Yes, thanks to Steven Bibb! And no, I can’t think of any Native Americans who actually dress like this, except for Hollywood Indians. [Update: This is Lisa Gaye. Please congratulate CandyC, Don Danard and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Roundup of Aliens Overwhelms L.A. Jails, Dec. 13, 1941

Posted on December 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 13, 1941: The Daily Mirror HQ was thrilled to see a brief appearance by Jimmie Fidler in “Garden of the Moon,” so here he is, in case you ever wondered what he looked like. On the jump: Times artist … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s a mystery fellow, from the collection of Steven Bibb. [Update: This is Juan Varro. According to imdb, his roles include a gigolo in “Mighty Joe Young.” I don’t recall a gigolo in “Mighty Joe Young,” but I haven’t seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: A model of a 1959 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay at $599.99. Queen of the Dead—dateline December 12, 2011 •  For all its youthquake aura, Laugh-In had a lot of middle-aged folks in its cast: the delightfully camp and … Continue reading →

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Location Sleuth – ‘Between Midnight and Dawn’

Posted on December 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

Hey, it’s the Florentine Gardens! Here it is via Google’s Street View. I was watching the 1950 Columbia film “Between Midnight and Dawn” and several locations caught my eye. The first one is an aerial view during the credits that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950, Architecture, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth | Tagged , | 7 Comments

FDR Warns of Long Struggle; Nisei Vow Loyalty to U.S.

Posted on December 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 10, 1941: At Los Angeles City College, Japanese American students are stunned by the Pearl Harbor attack and promise loyalty to the United States. “We American students of Japanese blood have confidence in the fairness of white Americans. Everyone … Continue reading →

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Pearl Harbor and the Rose-Colored Rearview Mirror

Posted on December 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 10, 1942: Politics is politics, war or not. My distinguished colleague George Skelton, who understands Sacramento like a watchmaker knows the inner workings of a precision timepiece,   has gazed rather fondly into the rose-colored rearview mirror with a … Continue reading →

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FBI Rounds Up Japanese in Hunt for Subversives, Dec. 8, 1941

Posted on December 8, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 8, 1941: The FBI begins rounding up 200 “alien Japanese suspected of subversive activities” Several truckloads of Japanese were seen passing through Brea toward Pomona, Brea police reported, and orders to stop all cars bearing Japanese and to confiscate … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Aviation, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Nuestro Pueblo, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on FBI Rounds Up Japanese in Hunt for Subversives, Dec. 8, 1941