Category Archives: Hollywood

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Aug. 3, 1940

Posted on August 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 3, 1940: Jimmie Fidler’s staff says: Have you seen Jeanette MacDonald's new custom-built jalopy, upholstered in the MacDonald plaid and rigged with a horn that tootles "The Campbells Are Coming?"

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Aug. 2, 1940

Posted on August 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times, gets a “silent interview” with the Duchess of Windsor.  Aug. 2, 1940: Ha! Gladys Swarthout, arriving in slacks, quickly rolled them to her knees under her mink … Continue reading →

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De Palma’s ‘Home Movies’

Posted on August 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 2, 1980: Brian De Palma’s “Dressed to Kill” is a runaway hit. His film “Home Movies,” which is also in release, not so much.  “Home Movies” is not on Netflix, but you can find the VHS version on … Continue reading →

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From the Vaults: ‘The Watcher in the Woods’ (1980)

Posted on August 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Well, "Watcher in the Woods"  is certainly an odd film. Starring Bette Davis and the radiant, fresh-off-of-"Ice Castles" Lynn-Holly Johnson, it hails from an era of vaguely dark and weird Disney films: "The Black Hole" had come out the previous … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on August 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo Los Angeles Times file photo March 18, 1929: Robert Ober to direct at MGM. Update: Our weekend mystery guest is Robert Ober (d. 1950). Saturday’s picture shows him in “A Reno Divorce” with May McAvoy … Continue reading →

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

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, July 31, 1940

Posted on July 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times,  interviews Salvador Dali in Lisbon. July 31, 1940: Gilbert Roland and Peter Lorre are off on a hunting trip, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Eric Malnic and ‘Con Air’

Posted on July 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

   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

Posted on July 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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

Posted on July 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

      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

Posted on July 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

    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

Posted on July 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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)

Posted on July 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

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

Posted on July 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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

Posted on July 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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

Posted on July 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

      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

Posted on July 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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

Posted on July 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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

Posted on July 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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)

Posted on July 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

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

Posted on July 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  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