Category Archives: Hollywood

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 15, 1940

Posted on June 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 15, 1940: “Arthur Murray confides that Katharine Hepburn, who scorned Hollywood nite-spotting, has enrolled in his New York danschool for a de luxe ballroom course,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 14, 1940

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

   June 14, 1940: “Most of the local niteries have found it necessary to place radios in private rooms for guests who want late-hour war reports,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Mad Scientists’ Garage Sale

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Wholly Moses!” with Dudley Moore and Laraine Newman, directed by Gary Weis, who did a series of quirky shorts for “Saturday Night Live.”   June 14, 1980: The Times features two movie memorabilia events, with appearances by Nina Bara from … Continue reading →

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From the Vaults: ‘Why Change Your Wife?’ (1920)

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

For Mary and all the other silent-film aficionados out there, we return triumphantly to 1920 this week! Cecil B. DeMille's tremendously entertaining "Why Change Your Wife?" is one of a slew of romantic comedies he made around this time, following … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 9 Comments

Mini Mystery Photo

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Update: This is artist Hugo Ballin and Marlene Dietrich in a photo stamped May 25, 1936, apparently during filming of “Garden of Allah.” I’m at a loss to explain her expression.  Here’s our weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 14 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: This is Madge Bellamy as “The Spirit of Christmas” in a photo marked Dec. 30, 1923. Curiously enough, I saw her introduce a showing of “The Iron Horse” at the Autry museum years … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 67 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 13, 1940

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes a map by Charles Owens showing the battle for Paris. June 13, 1940: “Joan Crawford's nursery for her newly adopted baby is equipped with a sound system so acute the tot's breathing can be heard in Joan's … Continue reading →

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On the Frontiers of Medicine, June 13, 1960

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 13, 1960: The gist of Bruce Russell’s cartoon seems to be that speeding is bad. Either that or driving through a huge skull is dangerous. On the jump, bone marrow injections offer hope for cancer patients, and TV viewers … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler, June 12, 1940

Posted on June 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 12, 1940: “New Yorkers say Al Jolson is revolving among Ruby Keeler, Jinx Falkenberg and Broadway dancer Gloria Cook,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 11, 1940

Posted on June 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A map by Charles Owens shows the fighting in France. June 11, 1940: “Why don't they give more romantic roles to Humphrey Bogart?” Jimmie Fidler asks.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 10, 1940

Posted on June 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes another drawing by Fredric Eddy, A.E.F. June 10, 1940: “HOLLYWOOD AFTER DARK: Judy Garland is plotting to get even with Robert Stack, who left her at Victor Hugo's with the unpaid check after previously tipping waiters not … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Tokyo Mob Threatens U.S. Ambassador

Posted on June 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 10, 1960: The Times brings out an extra about a mob of “fanatic leftists” in Tokyo that attacked a car carrying White House Press Secretary James Hagerty and U.S. Ambassador Douglas A. MacArthur II … And an angry Richard … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 9, 1941

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 9, 1941: The North American Aviation strike in Los Angeles (many stories mistakenly say the plant was in Inglewood) comes at a pivotal time for the city. A few days earlier, Police Chief Arthur C. Hohmann. generally considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 8, 1940

Posted on June 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 8, 1940: “No wonder Patricia Morison can't lose weight despite doctors' prescribed diets. She eats what they order at meals, then sneaks two and three hunks of chocolate cake when they're not looking,” Jimmie Fidler's staff says.

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From the Vaults: ‘First Spaceship on Venus’ (1960)

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

Well, "First Spaceship on Venus" is quite the odd little movie: a vintage space epic filmed in East Germany and co-produced with Poland. It features an international team of characters and a strong anti-nuclear message! Released in German as "Der … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood, Science, UFOs | 2 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 6, 1940

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Another war map by Charles Owens! June 6, 1940 — Jimmie Fidler has a little story that begins: “Franz Waxman, the composer who scored 'Rebecca,' has a newly acquired Chihuahua pooch.”

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 5, 1940

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 5, 1940: “MGM's new Adonis, who'll be given a romantic tint, is Cliff Anderson, ex-Ciro's waiter, who was studying civil engineering while tray-pushing,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo    Update: As most people realized, our mystery guest is Hollywood nightclub owner Earl Carroll, who died in 1948 plane crash. In the above photo, he’s the young fellow with Elbert Hubbard (sorry, folks, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography, Stage | 26 Comments

Cheryl Crane Escapes

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 5, 1960: Cheryl Crane and two other inmates escape from El Retiro School for Girls, where she had been committed for killing Johnny Stompanato. "This was a big change from the meek and mild little girl who came … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | 2 Comments

Jimmie Fidler, June 4, 1940

Posted on June 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 4, 1940: “Well, it's come more quickly than I expected! For months I've warned Hollywood producers against the peril of anti-Nazi films,” Jimmie Fidler says. Variety says: “Belief is strong in some circles that Uncle Sam will crack … Continue reading →

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