Category Archives: Hollywood

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The dark ages of crossword puzzle construction: Look at all those two-letter answers! Marian Anderson performs at Philharmonic Auditorium in a recital of works by Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Rachmaninoff and Gretchaninoff, who is not a composer I recognize. Anderson … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 3, 1941 – Hedda Hopper praises Dalton Trumbo. Yes, that Dalton Trumbo: “Those chronic fault-finders, who are always screaming about bad adaptations of best sellers, must be gnashing their teeth over 'Kitty Foyle.' All praise to Dalton Trumbo … Continue reading →

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‘Queen for a Day’ Host Jack Bailey Dies

Posted on February 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 3, 1980: Al Martinez wrote a very clever obituary on TV host Jack Bailey, who died at the age of 72.

Posted in Columnists, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off on ‘Queen for a Day’ Host Jack Bailey Dies

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 2, 1940: Now here’s an interesting line from Hedda Hopper, who is normally a real flag-waver.  “Gold Star Mothers are steering clear of 'The Fighting 69th.' Most of them won't see the picture, even on a pass, saying … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 1, 1939: Hedda Hopper gives five bells to “Gunga Din,” but says "Joan Fontaine’s beauty and ability were thrown away in a bit" part.

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Nixon, the ‘Indispensible Man’

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

“You Remember Her?”     NBC used to have an opera company. Amazing, no? Although I can’t say I’ve ever heard of Virginia Copeland (Gordoni), David Poleri or Chester Ludgin. “Goliath and the Barbarians” in Colorscope!  Paul Zimmerman takes a … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, broadcasting, classical music, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, JFK, Lakers, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Nixon, the ‘Indispensible Man’

Woman Attempts Suicide Rather Than Return to Prison

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Fire Is a Good and Blessed Thing, but if You Put Your Hand in It You’ll Get Burnt.” Feb. 1, 1920: Police respond to a call at 5032 Hollywood Blvd. and arrest Alice Lowry, a burglar who scouted apartment … Continue reading →

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Republicans Losing Strength, Poll Finds

Posted on January 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 31, 1960: A progress report on the construction of Los Angeles’ freeways.   The Democrats try to assess the political weaknesses of Vice President Richard Nixon. The unpublished study obtained by the Herald Tribune News Service finds that most … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 16, 1942: Carole Lombard delivers a speech in Indianapolis in a rally to sell war bonds. Jan. 17, 1942: Lombard is killed on the flight returning to Los Angeles.  Jan. 31, 1942: Norman Corwin turned down an opportunity … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 30, 1960

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

Rewarding Experience     Ad executive Henry Mayers and his wife came home from a trip to southeast Asia about a year ago appalled by the deluge of printed propaganda they saw extolling communism and attacking this country.     To help … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 30, 1941: Frank Capra tried to show a print of his first film, "Fultah Fisher's Boarding House," and "found the film had completely disintegrated. He'll pay almost anything for another print," Hedda Hopper says … Hey, it's Trixie … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 29, 1940:  Akim Tamiroff tells Hedda Hopper it took him three months to learn how to use a bullwhip for scenes in “Union Pacific.”

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Eleanore Whitney! Information on the back of the photo, published May 16, 1937,  says: “Fanchon, Hollywood’s only woman producer, says that Eleanore Whitney has the loveliest ‘pout’ on the screen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 27 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Jan. 28, 1939: Hedda Hopper writes a few lines about “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man.” She says the picture is right on schedule. Of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Hopper says: “No one can say Carole busted … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 27, 1960

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Case of Go for Broke, Caryl Chessman Says      Caryl Chessman's legal fight to beat the gas chamber resumes tomorrow.       The 38-year-old senior statesman of San Quentin's Death Row (he's been there 11 1/2 years) returns to … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 27, 1965: Rex Harrison will star in a musical version of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” Hedda Hopper says. The movie was finally made with Peter O’Toole. 

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Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing. From left, Sgt. Danny Galindo as Officer Karl Hettinger;  Sgt. G.H. Bates as Officer Ian … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo, Plummer Park

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

  View Larger Map    Sept. 23, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Plummer Park in Hollywood. The original run of Nuestro Pueblo ended in 1939, so I’m going back and picking up the ones I missed last year.

Posted in art and artists, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo, Parks and Recreation | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 26, 1960

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Diana Barrymore was in love with Tennessee Williams and wanted to marry him, the Mirror's Earl Wilson says.  We Quiz Quiz Guy Who Blew $64,000       Al Einfrank isn't exciting news copy.  Not any more.     Three years ago, … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 26, 1964: Hedda Hopper’s profile of Evadne Baker was far more interesting than I expected. A quick check of imdb reveals that she died Jan. 17, 1995 … but wait. She was born Nov. 27, 1897? That would … Continue reading →

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