Category Archives: Film

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 24, 1961: Bobby Darin says,  "If I were a drinker I wouldn't have to come out like a blockbuster. But I don't drink and come on in a nightclub cold sober to entertain a crowd that's invariably high. … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 23, 1960: “Mary Martin invited the sons and daughters of radio and TV writers to a rehearsal of ‘Peter Pan.’ They were assembled on stage and she flew down to greet them. ‘Why, you're a girl!’ said one … Continue reading →

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San Marino Pelted With Furs From Mystery Airplane

Posted on December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 23, 1959: "Thousands of dollars worth of fur pelts were mysteriously jettisoned from a low-flying airplane over San Marino and San Gabriel yesterday. One large gunny sack of the valuable pelts crashes through a patio roof at 1070 Kendall … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Sports | 3 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 22, 1959: “Frank Sinatra went to see the Pat Wymore show in Vegas and immediately signed her for ‘Oceans 11.’ ”

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Firefighters Set Blazes to Draw Attention to Old Equipment

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  NEW QUEEN — The shah of Iran and bride Farah pose after their marriage in a Muslim ritual at his palace in Tehran. She is third wife of the shah, who divorced others after they failed to bear an heir. … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 21, 1959

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Death in December     The National Safety Council has focused its apprehension this Christmas on the office party.  Before me as I write this is its Drinking and Driving Fact Sheet, a sobering document.    It begins, "During 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Matt Weinstock, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Dec. 21, 1958: Jeffrey Hunter says of making “The Last Hurrah”: “Working with Spencer Tracy was great. Some of the most telling scenes between me and my wife, played by Diane Foster, had to be cut out in editing … Continue reading →

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Voices – Erich von Stroheim

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 21, 1919: Edwin Schallert profiles Erich von Stroheim and talks about his new film, "Blind Husbands."  “Everything Stroheim does is [characterization]; he can't talk to you for five minutes without starting to act.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1957: (While Miss Hopper is away, column is being compiled by her staff). Preston Sturges is in Paris writing a screenplay on the most fabulous swindler of our era, F. Donald Coster. Story is based on New Yorker … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 19, 1956: Burl Ives, who played Big Daddy on stage in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" will repeat his characterization on screen. Burl has also been chosen by Don Hartman to play the father in Eugene O'Neill's … Continue reading →

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Writer Blacklisted by Mistake Clears His Name

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

    “Super-Sonic Hell Creatures No Weapons Can Destroy!” “The Killer Shrews” [What? Only 3 stars on imdb?]  and “The Giant Gila Monster” [2.8 stars on imdb?] now playing at the Avenue Drive-In in Downey!  And of course that Mr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

A Kinder Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 18, 1955: Hedda Hopper is named one of The Times’ Women of the Year!

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Daria Massey in a photo by Bernard of Hollywood. “Pretty 18-year-old Daria Massey, a former child actress in such films as ‘The Miracle of Fatima,’ ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ and ‘The Iron … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 40 Comments

Antiwar Film Premieres Around the World

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Stanley Kramer's “On the Beach” opens in 18 countries. "Linus Pauling, a Nobel Prize winner: 'It may be that someday we can look back and say 'On the Beach' is the picture that saved the world." The movie that … Continue reading →

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Location Sleuth — Update

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

The opening of “The High Sign.” Peter Mullan writes in, citing the research of John Bengtson, who suggests that the carousel used in “The High Sign” was at the Pike, a huge amusement park in Long Beach. I’m not sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Dec. 17, 1954: Otto Preminger would like to team up Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge after “Carmen Jones,” but “Porgy and Bess” is tied up.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Gangster Killed in Ambush

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Gov. Brown cites a projected $70-million surplus, says he'll propose no new taxes. Fred Whalen admits hitting Tony Reno, who was sitting with Mickey Cohen at Rondelli's restaurant when Whalen's son, Jack, was killed.   Dean “The Love Bug” … Continue reading →

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A Renaissance in Filmmaking

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  An ad for "Strictly Confidential" says, “Renaissance of Motion Pictures: Goldwyn has reclaimed the motion picture from the moneymaking mechanics of industry and restored it to its pedestal as one of the greatest arts. Masterful craftsmanship in direction, absolute … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 16, 1953: “Sam Fuller has about finished writing a screen story that begins where "Mogambo" leaves off. Some of the African scenes about which he told me were hair-raising. What a character Sammy is! Dynamic, forceful and fearless. … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 15, 1952: A clipping from the Indianapolis Star tells of the dispute over Charlie Chaplin that rocked the Art Institute there. Mrs. C.B. LaDine, chairman of Americanism and Civil Defense Committee, took on John E. Brown, curator of … Continue reading →

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