Category Archives: Film

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 29

Posted on September 10, 2014 by lmharnisch

The famous portrait of Laura Hunt in “Laura” by the fictional artist Stuart Jacoby. For the film, a large photo of Gene Tierney was heavily retouched to appear to be a painting. In case you just tuned in, I’m using … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 10, 1944

Posted on September 10, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 10, 1944 The influence of Andre de Toth, the director, has been very important in the life of Veronica Lake. She is no longer the girl who doesn’t care. She cares very much now what people think of her, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Dear TCM

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

Dear TCM: Once again, you are airing Melanie Griffith’s “tribute” to Jean Harlow, which is dreadful in every way. I suppose it seemed like a good concept to have a “modern” (well sort of) blond bombshell discuss Harlow. But it … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 28

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

Detective Mark McPherson, played by Dana Andrews in the film version of “Laura.” In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Why Be Good?’ Celebrates the Jazz Age

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

  “I’m Thirsty for Kisses” from “Why Be Good?” listed on EBay at $8.49. A pulsating, dynamic salute to the jazz-mad, anything goes generation, the restored Colleen Moore feature, “Why Be Good?” features entertaining performances and gorgeous design set to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 9, 1944

Posted on September 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 9, 1944 Danton Walker says: Jackie Gleason (“Follow the Girls”), who originally got his start in burlesque, will play the role of a press agent for a burlesque company in his first picture for 20th Century-Fox. Louella Parsons says: … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 9, 1944

Movieland Mystery Photo — Tennessee Williams’ Edition

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

A member of the Brain Trust has called my attention to a gent appearing in the film of Tennessee Williams’ “Suddenly, Last Summer,” a movie I have never seen. Apparently this fellow, who plays Sebastian Venable, is unidentified and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Stage | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Buster Keaton’s ‘The Italian Villa’

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

Note: As many of you know, Mary Mallory’s father passed away, so in her absence we’re running one of her most popular posts, from 2012.  Buster Keaton seemed to have it all in the mid-1920s. His career was riding high, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 film “We Live Again,” directed by Rouben Mamoulian, starring Anna Sten and Fredric March.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Cinecon Film Festival Screens Forgotten and Historic Films

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

“Paths to Paradise,” Photoplay, July – December 1925. Another year and another Cinecon Film Festival has come and gone. Started 50 years ago as an opportunity for classic film lovers and collectors to come together to view long unseen films, … Continue reading →

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

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 5, 1944

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1944: “One Touch of Venus” has been sold to the movies, with Mary Pickford obtaining the rights. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Horoscope | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 5, 1944

Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

Harry Truman, friend of libraries! Sept. 5, 1944 Maria Fierro of 879 1/2 Lookout Drive decided to go dancing with Robert Fierro (apparently her brother) and Robert Gomez at a cafe in the 4600 block of Brooklyn Avenue (now Cesar … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Sept. 4, 1944

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

The U.S. Secretary of State, who is offstage director for the Dumbarton Oaks conference on postwar security is shown in this excellent portrait by Karsh. Secretary Hull welcomed the delegates to Washington. Last week, Mr. Hull talked with John Foster … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Sept. 4, 1944

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 4, 1944

Posted on September 4, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 4, 1944 Danton Walter says: Brazil and Colombia plan to cut coffee exports to the U.S. if the OPA price ceiling isn’t lifted … FDR has requested James Byrnes to hold up his resignation until after election day … … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 4, 1944

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 27

Posted on September 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

  Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) and Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price) in “Laura.” In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 27

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 3, 1944

Posted on September 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

“Green Dolphin Street” wins MGM’s annual novel award. The movie was released in 1947, starring Lana Turner and Van Heflin, directed by Victor Saville with a script by Samson Raphaelson. Sept. 3, 1944 Louella Parsons is pushed off Page 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 26

Posted on September 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

  An unidentified actress appears as Diane Redfern in “Laura.” In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 26

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 2, 1944

Posted on September 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

September 2, 1944 Danton Walker (who turns out to have been Alexander Woollcott’s secretary for a couple of years), says: Several magazines are racing to put out German editions which would be the first published works to give occupied Germany … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 2, 1944

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The Masquers Laugh to Win, Part Three: Support From Others

Posted on September 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

The fraternal organization, the Masquers Club, founded in Hollywood in 1925 by eight actors, prided itself on love, loyalty, and support. They lived by the motto: “We Laugh to Win,” a rallying cry whenever a brother was in need. They … Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

This week’s movie has been the 1935 RKO film “Roberta,” with Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and  Randolph Scott. It was directed by William A. Seiter. “ Roberta” was based on Alice Duer Miller’s novel “Gowns by Roberta,” which … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 58 Comments