Category Archives: Hollywood

September 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

September 21, 1959:  “After many months of research and collaboration, writers Harry Essex and Irving Shulman have finished a pre-sold novel based on [Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle’s] life and the sensational scandal that marred it. The title, ‘Fatty.’ ” (This book … Continue reading

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Sept. 21, 1939: Joel McCrea in "Espionage Agent." Not on Netflix.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Disney on Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev didn't go to Disneyland, but Walt Disney was ready for him.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Disney on Khrushchev

Nikita, Film Bigwigs Gay at Studio Party

Sept. 19, 1959: The Mirror-News gets a photo of Nikita Khrushchev from a TV monitor. An early frame grab! And photos on the cover for the 10-star edition. First celebrities to arrive at the studio to greet the premier were … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Politics, Television | Comments Off on Nikita, Film Bigwigs Gay at Studio Party

CIA ‘a Farce,’ Khrushchev Says

Oct. 4, 1959, Republic Corp. President Victor M. Carter describes comments made by Nikita Khrushchev during a tour of housing developments in the San Fernando Valley. Khrushchev told ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge that the Soviets had intercepted and read secret … Continue reading

Posted in @news, Current Affairs, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on CIA ‘a Farce,’ Khrushchev Says

Khrushchev: ‘Why Not Disneyland?’

Photograph by Bruce Cox / Los Angeles Times Actor David Niven, center, in a toast at Twentieth Century Fox studios with Nikita Khrushchev, left, Eric Johnston of the Motion Picture Producers Assn., Andrei Gromyko and studio executive Buddy Adler. Photograph … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on Khrushchev: ‘Why Not Disneyland?’

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Our mystery guest is Esther Ralston, above, in 1923. Esther Ralston; Silent Era ‘American Venus’  January 21, 1994 By MYRNA OLIVER, TIMES STAFF WRITER Esther Ralston, the beautiful blonde “American Venus” of silent films, … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries | 26 Comments

Found on EBay — Earl Carroll’s Nightclub

This menu from Earl Carroll's nightclub in Hollywood (now the Nickelodeon building at 6230 Sunset Blvd.) has been listed on EBay. The vendor suggests the menu is from about 1946. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Architecture, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Earl Carroll’s Nightclub

Khrushchev in U.S.!; Dodgers Beat Braves

Sept. 16, 1959: Khrushchev leaves for the U.S., accompanied by a menacing Mr. Atomic Bomb. He's carrying a briefcase marked "Threats" just in case you don't get it that atomic weapons are dangerous.  Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev is greeted by … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, broadcasting, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Transportation | 1 Comment

Larry Gelbart’s 1951 ‘My L.A.’ Found

Nov. 25, 1951: Rehearsals of "My L.A.," sketches inspired by Matt Weinstock's book, with a script by Larry Gelbart, Laurence Marks and Bill Manhoff. You may recall this photo from the posts I did about the death of Larry Gelbart. … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Larry Gelbart’s 1951 ‘My L.A.’ Found

Voices — Patrick Swayze, 1952 – 2009

Nov. 30, 1983: Patrick Swayze dances "Without a Word." From the Bayous to the Catskills 'Dirty Dancing' Takes to the Screen With Some Smart and Funny Steps August 21, 1987 By SHEILA BENSON, Times Film Critic By being smart and … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Stage | 9 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

  Sept. 13, 1931: Ann Harding in “Devotion” at Carthay Circle. I wonder what they were thinking by reversing the image.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Sept. 12, 1930: Do Mr. Drysdale and Miss Jane know about this?   American talking pictures take Paris by storm — and not in the good way. Note to copy desk, it's "revue" not "review." June 20, 1929: Joan Crawford … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Jack L. Warner Ankles Studio; Tough Times for the Padres

Sept. 12, 1969: Al Capp features a wrestling promoter named William Fastbuckley. Jack L. Warner, 77, ends his association with the family studio to concentrate on a Broadway musical titled "Jimmy," starring Frank Gorshin as New York Mayor Jimmy Walker. … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Jack L. Warner Ankles Studio; Tough Times for the Padres

Voices: Larry Gelbart, 1928 – 2009

June 17, 1951: How Larry Gelbart got started in show business while he was a student at Fairfax High.   Nov. 25, 1951: Rehearsals of "My L.A.," sketches inspired by Matt Weinstock's book, with a script by Larry Gelbart, Laurence … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | 2 Comments

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Sept. 11, 1959

Actor Paul Douglas dies at the age of 52. "The reading public is seldom aware of the enterprise, imagination, teamwork and tireless digging that goes into the achievement of an exclusive newspaper story. The Mirror News published such a scoop … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Sept. 11, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Sept. 11, 1929: All talking … singing … dancing! "Broadway Melody." Note Lon Chaney in "Thunder," a film that is now lost.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Movie Star Mystery Photo

 Los Angeles Times file photo Oct. 23, 1954: Lance Fuller (1928 – 2001) in a publicity shot from Universal. Update: The cool cat is Lance Fuller. Please congratulate Dewey Webb, Michael Christian, Richard Heft and Stacia for identifying him!  At … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 36 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Jazz Mad Morals

Sept. 10, 1928: "Once Overs" by Clarence Daniel Batchelor, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1937 for this cartoon: "Come on in, I'll treat you right. I used to know your daddy." Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky in "Two Lovers," … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, Film, Hollywood, Stage | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Jazz Mad Morals

Found on EBay — Hollywood Spin

An unusual novelty — a board game based on Hollywood streets — has been listed on EBay. Hollywood Spin is similar to Monopoly, according to the vendor, with familiar landmarks from the 1940s like Earl Carroll's and the Brown Derby. … Continue reading

Posted in #games, Hollywood, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Hollywood Spin