Category Archives: Hollywood

From the Vaults: ‘Inferno’ (1980)

OK, here's where I alienate all you nice "His Girl Friday" fans from last week; sorry. This week's movie does not have Cary Grant, but it does have a man being eaten alive by rats! "Inferno" is the second in … Continue reading

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 5 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 27, 1940

  June 27, 1940: “Lillian Roth, early talkie screen glamour gal, is combing Hollywood for nitespot billing and a film comeback,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 27, 1940

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 26, 1940

June 26, 1940: Wallace Beery will build a hunting lodge in Wyoming's Jackson Hole country, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Politics | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 26, 1940

Movieland Mystery Photo

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Betty Compson and James Cruze at the premiere of "The Great Gabbo" in October 1929. Here’s a mini mystery photo for the weekend. This week’s mystery guest was Lawrence Gray!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 6 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 25, 1940

   June 25, 1940: “It would be a happier world if all ladies looked as trim in slacks as Paulette Goddard,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 25, 1940

The Brave Projectionist

    June 25, 1910: F.A. Horton had been working for about a week as a projectionist at the Art Theater, 508 S. Broadway, when a length of nitrate film caught fire. "The film ignited with a flash and the … Continue reading

Posted in Fashion, Film, Fire Department, Hollywood, Religion | 2 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 24, 1941

  German troops advance while Soviet prisoners march to the rear in an unidentified photo. June 24, 1941: “FOR YOUR PREFERRED LIST: Walt Disney's ‘The Reluctant Dragon.’ Filmville's No. 1 magician pulls new rabbits out of a hat,” Jimmie Fidler … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 24, 1941

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 23, 1941

  The Times publishes another war map by Charles Owens. June 23, 1941: “TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX'S 'WILD GEESE CALLING' SET AT A GLANCE: Two extras in lumberjack costumes ruefully regarding a huge log, a saw — and their own well-manicured … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, Film, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 23, 1941

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 22, 1940

  June 22, 1940: “Robert Taylor's 'calm disposition' can't stand the strain of golf. One too many slices yesterday and he threw his clubs away and stalked off the course,” Jimmie Fidler’s staff says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 22, 1940

A Scientific Way to Make Coffee

    June 22, 1960: A Chemex! The scientific way to make coffee. On the jump, “The Apartment” or “Macumba Love?” Tough choice.

Posted in Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood | 4 Comments

From the Vaults: ‘His Girl Friday’ (1940)

I once read an excellent book about single life that included this recipe for depression: “Go out and rent a movie with Cary Grant in it, come back and put the kettle on.” This advice has never failed me. You … Continue reading

Posted in @news, Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 15 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 21, 1960

  June 21, 1960: Paul Coates has some fun with a municipal judge who wants to get into movies and TV.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 21, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 21, 1940

  June 21, 1940: “Bruce Cabot and Elaine Brandeis, beauty prize winner, taking a portable radio on their nightclub rounds to get late war reports,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 21, 1940

Movieland Mystery Photo

     Los Angeles Times file photo    As nearly everyone realized, this is Evelyn Nesbit, the subject of a recent Paul Coates column.  Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 66 Comments

Found on EBay — ‘Salome’

One of the more intriguing lost films of the silent era is Theda Bara’s “Salome,” which was destroyed in a vault fire. A still from the film has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $10.50. And look, imdb folks, … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Photography | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo

 Los Angeles Times file photo  Nearly everybody (even poor country boy Fibber McGee!) recognized this week’s mystery guest as Evelyn Nesbit. So here’s another mystery. This handout photo from Warner Bros., dated June 1939, was in Evelyn Nesbit’s photo file … Continue reading

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

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 20, 1960

  June 20, 1960: Paul Coates writes about a failed Utopia in the Galapagos Islands…. And on the jump: This is so cool! Guess who was interviewed for the Mack Sennett feature – none other than my old friend and … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 20, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 19, 1940

  June 19, 1940: “What could be more ironic than the title ‘French Without Tears,’ currently billboarded?” Jimmie Fidler Says

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 19, 1940

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 18, 1940

  June 18, 1940: Wot's this about 28 extras being sent home from the "Brigham Young" location for alleged misconduct? Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 18, 1940

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 16, 1941

June 16, 1941: “WARNERS' 'DIVE BOMBER' SET AT A GLANCE: Two uniformed extras, faces streaked with engine oil, practicing a tap-dance routine between shots,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 16, 1941