Category Archives: Film

Film of Raymond Chandler Found

Fred MacMurray and Raymond Chandler in "Double Indemnity." I can't claim this discovery but it's a good one. Evidently Raymond Chandler made a brief and unknown — until now — cameo appearance in "Double Indemnity." This was simultaneously discovered by … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Raymond Chandler | 4 Comments

Teacher Puts the Broom to Process Server in Communist Probe; Meet Wilt Chamberlain

"Terry, What's Wrong?" Police have few leads in the beating of boxing promoter Jackie Leonard, who was left partially paralyzed. Leonard had testified before the State Athletic Commission on corruption in prizefighting. Kindergarten teacher Ruth Adair Bishop, 54, whacks Grant … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Lakers, Religion, Sports | 3 Comments

Movie Star Mystery Photo

      Los Angeles Times file photo Update: As many people guessed, this is Susan Hampshire! Above, Hampshire in a publicity photo for "The Fighting Prince of Donegal," 1966. Please congratulate Sue, Michael Christian, AJ, Virginia Jauregui and Susan … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 90 Comments

Homeless Sleep in All-Night Theaters!

  "Norda Noll Slain" The Lugo Adobe on Gage Avenue. The Police Commission wanted to close all-night theaters but the council rejected the action amid debate over whether the city, county or state should care for the homeless who would … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, health, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo, Obituaries, Religion, Robberies, Sports | Comments Off on Homeless Sleep in All-Night Theaters!

David Carradine: Everybody should ‘take off their clothes and jump in a big pile’

"My solution for the world's ills is for everybody to take off their clothes and jump in a big pile…"  – David Carradine This article by the late David Carradine was published in The Times, Sept. 22, 1968 and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on David Carradine: Everybody should ‘take off their clothes and jump in a big pile’

Boxing Promoter Beaten; Dodgers Sign Chavez Ravine Deal

"R-R-R-ING!" Life on Mars! Boxing promoter Jackie Leonard had testified before the State Athletic Commission about mob influence in prizefighting. View this page  American jazz?  Nyet! Charles Hillinger interviews Nicaragua's Luis Somoza. Carole Baker … Jeffrey Hunter … Richard Nixon … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Science, Sports | Comments Off on Boxing Promoter Beaten; Dodgers Sign Chavez Ravine Deal

Woman, 28, Has 13 Children!

"This Is Like a Spy Movie!" At the women's jail, "Conditions are terrible … Sixteen patients are being assigned to rooms designed to contain eight." (As Nathan noted, that's General Hospital, not the jail–thanks Nathan!). Sax Rohmer, creator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, classical music, Comics, Dodgers, Film, health, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — ‘They Call Them Camisoles’

This is truly an unusual item. "They Call Them Camisoles" was written by former actress Wilma Carnes using the name Wilma Wilson and describes her harrowing experiences at the state mental hospital at Camarillo. Wilson was committed to the hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Food and Drink, health, Hollywood | Comments Off on Found on EBay — ‘They Call Them Camisoles’

‘Three Little Pigs’ Has Racial Meaning, Official Says!

"Did You Hear What I Said, June?" Southern California's aerospace industry! When I saw this headline, I thought it was a joke. It's not. Iraq drops a polite note to the American Embassy saying no thanks to U.S. aid because … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Countdown to Watts, Environment, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Nightclubs, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

Movie Star Mystery Photo

      Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Paul Lukas in a 1927 photo. Update: As many people guessed, this is Paul Lukas. Above, Lukas' obituary, Aug. 17, 1971. Just a reminder on how this works: I post the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 55 Comments

Love Triangle Killings at Burbank Trailer Park

"Everything's Okay, Honey, Go Back to Sleep, Huh?"  

Posted in #courts, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Politics, Religion, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Love Triangle Killings at Burbank Trailer Park

The Old Hollywood Game

May 29, 1939: Getting ready for Joan Crawford's bathtub scene.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on The Old Hollywood Game

Black Dahlia-Related Photos for Sale

Mark Hansen's photos, up for auction. An auction house has contacted me with information about a group of photos tangentially related to the Black Dahlia case. Mark Hansen, a partner in the Florentine Gardens nightclub, was a suspect in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Black Dahlia-Related Photos for Sale

Monorail Planned for Downtown Los Angeles!

"She Was Gone … Real Gone!" Voters reject higher taxes. View this page Beatnik robbers tell victim to "play it cool." Woof, Daddy-o. Above, another mass-transit plan that never got off the drawing board. All right, you kids, no more … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, health, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Robberies, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Secretary of State Dies; Dodgers Lose

"I've Been Thinking of Doing Some Writing!" The Times seems to have gone to one of Dale Carnegie's programs and been reading Norman Vincent Peale on positive thinking. At left, we have a sermon by the Rev. Richard J. Sneed, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | 2 Comments

Clues in Torso Killing!

May 25, 1929: Mack Sennett's famous film duck Waddles gets an obituary in The Times!

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Comments Off on Clues in Torso Killing!

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Groucho Marx in Person

May 23, 1974: Groucho Marx makes a live appearance at a showing of "Animal Crackers."

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Boston Bans ‘Candide’; Details on Torso Victim, May 23, 1929

Hey, look! It's Rube Wolf! "Tout va pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes" Pieces of a dismembered body are found in the Los Angeles River, skillfully dissected. Could the killer be a doctor? 

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Comments Off on Boston Bans ‘Candide’; Details on Torso Victim, May 23, 1929

Mystery Photo

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Our mystery person this week is Trixie Friganza, who died in 1955. Above, Friganza in "Canary Cottage, May 21, 1916. http://www.wat.tv/swf2/271206v2Nqz5R1406007 Trixie Friganza sélectionné dans Musique et Clips Just a reminder on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Stage | 24 Comments

Father Turns in Son in Fatal Stabbing, May 22, 1959

"Just Wait There!  — I'll Come Right Down." Kenneth A. Merriam is accused of helping to kill the two children of his girlfriend, Wanda Brogdon. Evidently, both of them were mentally disabled. At right, Ernie Kovacs needs a 100-foot piano … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, broadcasting, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Father Turns in Son in Fatal Stabbing, May 22, 1959