Category Archives: Hollywood

Eric Malnic and ‘Con Air’

   One of the late Eric Malnic’s more remarkable experiences was his involvement in “Con Air.” Here’s his original story, which inspired the film. When Jailbirds Fly, They Always Use 'Con Air' Travel: The amenities are few and the passengers … Continue reading

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 30, 1940

  Tom Treanor gets a brief interview with jeweler Louis Cartier, in exile at the Aviz Hotel in Lisbon. July 30, 1940: Margaret Lindsay can't stand men who smoke big cigars, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Movieland Mystery Photo

      Los Angeles Times file photo  Update:  "Marjorie Bennett playing the movie struck maid in 'M'Lord, the Duke' at the Hollywood Playhouse," according to caption information on  a photo marked  March 4, 1934. Please welcome Carmen as this week’s guest … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 48 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 28, 1941

    Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times,  looks back at the use of dirigibles in the Great War. July 28, 1941: Robert Cummings, a captain in the United States Air Corps Reserve, has … Continue reading

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 26, 1940

  Tom Treanor, who died covering World War II for The Times, files a report from Portugal on trying to interview the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. July 26, 1940: Jimmie Fidler says “The Marx Brothers and MGM are tiffing, … Continue reading

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From the Vaults: ‘Village of the Damned’ (1960)

All I knew about this movie going in was that it had been remade with Mark Hamill in 1995 (the remake also starred Christopher Reeve and Kirstie Alley, and was respectably directed by John Carpenter, but in 1995 all my … Continue reading

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

  Los Angeles Times file photo   Los Angeles Times file photo Here’s another picture of our mystery fellow! Update: Saturday’s picture is Mark Damon and "Diane" Cannon in a publicity photo for "This Rebel Breed," published March 20, 1960. … Continue reading

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

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 23, 1940

  July 23, 1940: “Come to think about it, I've never heard Joan Crawford make a catty remark about anyone,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Movieland Mystery Photo

      Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: This is Helen Parrish in an undated photo. Feb. 23, 1959: Helen Parrish dies of cancer at 35.  Regular Daily Mirror reader Carmen was supposed to be our guest host this week, but … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 33 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 22, 1940

  July 22, 1940: “If Los Angeles police want to cut down on traffic hazards they'd better do something about the shorts our glamour girls are parading, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 21, 1941

  July 21, 1941: WARNERS' "MALTESE FALCON" SET AT A GLANCE: Mary Astor "blowing" her lines when the assistant director informs her that hubby Manuel del Campo (now with the RCAF) is long distancing … Gladys George: "Now I know … Continue reading

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 19, 1940

  Another column by Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times. July 19, 1940: “Are Merle Oberon and Alexander Korda growing tired of it all?” Jimmie Fidler asks.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

From the Vaults: ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1940)

How can you possibly go wrong with Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy? The sad truth is that you can. Mr. Darcy isn't hard to get right, in my opinion — all he has to do is be terribly rude — … Continue reading

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 13 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 18, 1940

  July 18, 1940: "Wonder if Hollywood marriages are called 'matches' because they burn so briefly?" Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo

  Los Angeles Times file photo Los Angeles Times file photo Today, our mystery guest has a (completely not) mysterious companion. Update: This is Philip Ober. The top photo  is from 1957 and the bottom photo (with Hans Conreid) is … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 15 Comments

A Movie Comic’s Answer to Smog

July 18, 1920: Buster Keaton finds another source of power after running out of gasoline at 1st Street and Broadway.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Transportation | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo

      Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: This is Marguerite Chapman in photo marked Nov. 26, 1941. Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the answer on Friday … or on … Continue reading

Posted in 1960 Democratic Convention, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 50 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Democratic National Convention Edition

  Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Update: Paul Ziffren, Adlai Stevenson and Judy Garland at the Beverly Hilton, July 10, 1960. Photograph by Wayne F. Kelly / Los Angeles Times Update: Tennessee Gov. Buford Ellington and Stella Stevens, July 12, … Continue reading

Posted in 1960 Democratic Convention, Film, Hollywood, JFK, Mystery Photo, Photography, Politics | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

      Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: Hampton Fancher III in a promotional photo for "Rome Adventure" stamped Dec. 5, 1963 Here’s our mystery fellow for the week. Our guest host is regular Daily Mirror reader Dewey Webb! Just a … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 71 Comments

From the Vaults: ‘The Penalty’ (1920)

Here's an experiment for you long-suffering readers: Take your legs and fold them underneath you, so you're sitting on your feet. How's that feel? Now, keeping your feet where they are, hop down on the floor and walk around on … Continue reading

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 6 Comments