Category Archives: Hollywood

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 6, 1944 – Hedda Hopper writes: "There hasn't been much said about 'Jubilee,' an all-Negro show on a par with 'Mail Call' and 'Command Performance' done weekly for our men overseas. I heard Lena Horne and Rochester singing … Continue reading

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Theater Planned for 7th and Broadway

An artist’s early concept of the building planned for 7th and Broadway. Nov. 21, 1921: The interior of Loew’s State Theater.  Jan. 6, 1920: A theater and office building are planned for 7th Street and Broadway, “the most valuable corner … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

 Sign a Bomb! Jan. 5, 1943 — Hedda Hopper says: The first thing Bob Hope did when he heard that Bing Crosby's house had burned down was to phone from Arrowhead and ask the family to move in with them. … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Nixon’s Role in Settling Steel Strike

  Tony Perkins — Hollywood's mixed-up young movie star! And why does Jerry West go to pieces against a mediocre team? Jan. 5, 1960: The Times publishes what’s known in the trade as a “tick tock” on Vice President Richard … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

   Jan. 4, 1942: Hedda Hopper says Irving Berlin is working on a patriotic song, “We’ll Remember Pearl Harbor.” The tune should not be confused with “Remember Pearl Harbor” by Sammy Kaye and Don Reid.   

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Nixon Flight Sets Record

Aided by a strong tailwind, the American Airlines 707 carrying Vice President Nixon makes the trip from Los Angeles to Washington-Baltimore Friendship Airport in 3 hours, 39 minutes, a new record for a commercial aircraft.     Jan. 4, 1960: … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 3, 1941: Hedda Hopper quotes predictions for the year from her “old friend Dareos.” Sample: “America will make terrific strides in all kinds of war machinery, especially radio-controlled airplanes and the death ray. And around the middle of … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 2, 1940: Hedda Hopper on what makes Clark Gable an enduring movie star.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Hedy Lamarr, glamour girl of 1938. Hedda Hopper says: "Jack Barrymore gave us the surprise of the year. His performance in 'Hold That Co-Ed' was so brutally and effectively true that it definitely killed the run of all those … Continue reading

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

   Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This May 18, 1929, photo turned out to be more complicated than I realized. These are the Gale sisters, two sets of identical twins. The sisters changed their last name from Gilmartin and … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 40 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

     Dec. 31, 1942: "Woman substituted for man power on the "Coney Island" set the other day when one of the boys in a dance sequence was ordered to his draft board instead of his studio. Starlet Vanita Wade … Continue reading

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Monkey Business on ‘Inherit the Wind’ Set

  Sheriff John covers preparations for the Rose Parade!   Dr. Charles F. Sebastian dies, Sept. 4, 1971. You may recall him from the Harry Raymond bombing. The Central Receiving Hospital was replaced by the Rampart Division station, shown by … Continue reading

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December 30, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Pappy Coates Cases Learning With Kids Feeling good all over, today.  In this age of neurotic juveniles and delinquent parents, I, at least, have met my responsibility as a father. Maybe you don’t know “Where Are Your Children, Tonight,” but … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Dec. 30, 1941: “Jackie Cooper is studying the finer points of drumming with Buddy Rich of Tommy Dorsey's band these days and doing so well that he sits in with the band at the Mocambo now and then just … Continue reading

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On the Brink of the 1960s

Hedda Hopper tapes a “Ben-Hur” segment with Stephen Boyd, Francis X. Bushman and Ramon Novarro, but not Charlton Heston. Los Angeles officials struggle once more to deal with congested streets. I have said this before, but it bears repeating: Traffic … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Behind the news of Hollywood divorces (which, statistics prove, are no more numerous than those of any other town in America) behind the lurid news that our people sometimes make while blowing off steam, is the story of a job … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 28, 1959

The Pigeon Problem           A woman on the telephone a few days ago asked excitedly, “What should I do about these crazy pigeons?  They’ve moved into our neighborhood (3rd and La Cienega) and they’re all over the place.  One of … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Dec. 28, 1939: Hedda Hopper calls “Of Mice and Men” one of the best pictures of the year.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Dec. 27, 1938: “On the ‘Wizard of Oz’ set they've added 50 schoolchildren to the 150 midgets, being sure the kids were the same size. Makes it mighty difficult for Miss MacDonald and her staff of schoolteachers, because the … Continue reading

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Predictions for the 1960s

Dec. 27, 1959: The Times leads with the Nixon-Rockefeller story.    Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) expresses strong support for Nixon.   Times Political Editor Kyle Palmer, as to be expected, is all for Nixon.   Nixon calls for job training … Continue reading

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