Category Archives: Hollywood

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ — Part 8

David Bacon, seven years before he was killed, in a publicity photo for the Hasty Pudding show at Harvard. In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved Sept. 12, 1943, killing of actor David G.G. Bacon. … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Through Witzel’s Lens: Edward Everett Horton

A portrait of Edward Everett Horton by the Witzel studio has been listed on EBay. Witzel was one of the leading portrait studios in Los Angeles in the early part of the 20th century and took many publicity photos for … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ – Part 7

In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved Sept. 12, 1943, killing of “Masked Marvel” actor David G.G. Bacon. And we have regular L.A. Daily Mirror reader Steven Bibb to thank for this puzzle. Steven provided … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo — Amazing Recovery Edition (Updated + + +)

So far, I have prevailed over various technical issues. Wish me luck.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 79 Comments

Errol Flynn Named in Paternity Suit

Oct. 18, 1943: Los Angeles is in the middle of a paternity suit brought by Shirley Evans Hassau, 21, against Errol Flynn. Hassau charged that Flynn was the father of her daughter Marilyn, who was 3. Hassau was seeking $1,750 … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mystery Film Location

Look what I found! Anyone recognize this film location? Let’s get a closer look.

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

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ — Part 6

In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved Sept, 12, 1943, killing of actor David G.G. Bacon, who appeared in Republic’s “Masked Marvel” serial. In Part 1, witnesses described Bacon driving erratically on Washington Boulevard, then … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ — Part 5

David Bacon’s secret getaway, from the Sept. 18, 1943, Los Angeles Herald-Express, courtesy of Steven Bibb. In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved Sept, 12, 1943, killing of actor David G.G. Bacon, who appeared in … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Through Witzel’s Lens: Jackie Saunders

A Witzel studio photo of what appears to be silent film actress Jackie Saunders has been listed on EBay. Witzel was one of the leading portrait studios in Los Angeles and took many publicity photos in the early days of … Continue reading

Posted in 1923, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Through Witzel’s Lens: Jackie Saunders

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition XIII (Updated + + +)

I know, I know. I just did newsboy caps. But I couldn’t resist. Look: It’s an actual newsboy wearing a newsboy cap. I’ll bet you can guess the studio just from this crowd scene. How to Wear a Hat — … Continue reading

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Film Truth Tells It Like It Is

Note: Due to a technical problem, this post was published without the final paragraphs. These have been added. The movie-going public has always craved learning fascinating tidbits about their favorite movies and motion picture stars. Any fact, however obscure or … Continue reading

Posted in 1920, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ — Part 4

In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved September 1943 killing of actor David G.G. Bacon, who appeared in Republic’s “Masked Marvel” serial. In Part 1, witnesses described Bacon driving erratically on Washington Boulevard, then crashing … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ – Part 3

In case you just tuned in, we’re looking at the unsolved September 1943 killing of movie actor David G.G. Bacon, who appeared in the Republic serial “The Masked Marvel.” In Part 1, witnesses described Bacon driving erratically on Washington Boulevard, … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Captured Through Witzel’s Lens

A couple of Witzel photos have turned up on EBay. As you may recall from Mary Mallory’s recent post, Witzel was one of the leading portrait studios in early 20th century Los Angeles and took many movie publicity photos. At … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Captured Through Witzel’s Lens

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

And for Monday, a couple of mystery guests!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 37 Comments

October 4, 1943: American Troops Enter Bomb-Shattered Naples

October 4, 1943: Tom Treanor, who will be killed in a Jeep accident in France, writes about the liberation of Naples. “The Germans left Naples in a truly deplorable condition. In a huge hospital for incurables I myself saw 70 … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Main Street, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ – Part 2

In case you just tuned in, we’re looking at the strange, unsolved killing of movie actor David G.G. Bacon in September 1943.  Because he appeared in Republic’s “Masked Marvel” serial, shown above, I’m calling it the “Masked Marvel Murder.” In … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ – Part 1

David Bacon in “The Masked Marvel.” David G.G. Bacon died on the afternoon of Sept. 12, 1943, at the age of 29 with many secrets: A secret diary kept in code, coded annotations in his address book and most of … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 9 Comments

Remembering A.C. Lyles

News sources are reporting the death of longtime Paramount producer A.C. Lyles, who died Friday at the age of 95. I interviewed him back in 1997 about old Los Angeles and recently digitized the tape, so I’ll be posting excerpts … Continue reading

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — ‘Spirit of ’76’ as Propaganda

A still from the lost film “Spirit of ‘76” from Moving Picture World.   The United States’ Espionage Act was ratified in 1917 to punish those abetting the enemy, promoting military insubordination, or interfering with recruitment. Over the years, it … Continue reading

Posted in 1917, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, World War I | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments