Category Archives: Hollywood

Second Takes — Billy Wilder

July 5, 1953: The ads for "Stalag 17" emphasized that it was a comedy. July 3, 1951: Rumors surface that Wilder will direct "Stalag 17," less than a month after the disastrous opening of "Ace in the Hole."  "Stalag 17" … Continue reading

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Coming Tomorrow! Cary Grant Tells All, April 19, 1959

The Times' front page promotes plans to publish Joe Hyams' three-part series on Cary Grant. But before the series was published, Grant contacted the editors and adamantly denied that he ever talked to Hyams. Check back tomorrow to see what … Continue reading

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In the Theaters — April 19, 1955

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

June 15, 1951: "Ace in the Hole" opens in Los Angeles. April 7, 1950: Billy Wilder is casting a film with the working title "Human Interest Story" and renames it "Ace in the Hole."   April 13, 1950: Jan Sterling … Continue reading

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In the Theaters — April 18, 1953

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Feb. 13, 1951: Gloria Swanson (Best Actress), William Holden (Best Actor), Nancy Olson (Best Supporting Actress) and Erich von Stroheim (Best Supporting Actor)  are nominated for Academy Awards. "Sunset Boulevard" is nominated as best picture; Billy Wilder is nominated as … Continue reading

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In the Theaters — April 17, 1950

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Aug. 20, 1950: Coming soon: "Sunset Boulevard." Nov. 6, 1948: Gloria Swanson meets Billy Wilder and Charles Bracket to discuss "Sunset Boulevard." Feb. 10, 1949: The script isn't done. Above, Gloria Swanson and Melvyn Douglas in a clip from the … Continue reading

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo Aileen Pringle in the play "Tons of Money," 1932. Our mystery movie star of the week is Aileen Pringle, Please congratulate Diane Ely, Floradora, Bob Birchard, Dewey Webb, Peter Mintun, Dru Duniway, Cynthia Keillor, Sam, … Continue reading

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Mystery Boy Found in Echo Park, Famous Poet Serenades Goats, April 17, 1939

The Times noted that Charles Owens had an art exhibit on the third floor of City Hall. A 27-year-old man says he robbed the country club where he worked to provide a few essentials for his mother. He was sentenced … Continue reading

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In the Theaters — April 16, 1947

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Nov. 4, 1948: "A Song Is Born" opens in Los Angeles.   Nov. 5, 1948: The Times reviews Howard Hawks' remake of "Ball of Fire" as a showcase for jazz musicians Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnett, Lionel … Continue reading

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North Korea Shoots Down Navy Plane; Dodgers Beat Padres, 14-0, April 16, 1969

Jack Smith on God and Mr. Gomez. N. Korea a test for President Nixon.  Art Seidenbaum on talk radio.  Kevin Thomas on "Twisted Nerve." 1960s art influences the comics. The Dodgers moved home plate 10 feet closer to center field … Continue reading

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, April 15, 1959

CONFIDENTIAL FILE There Was no Dame, That Was a Duchess The telephone on my desk jangled. "Hello," I said. It seemed a logical thing to say. "You heard about Goya?" the breathless voice at the other end of the line … Continue reading

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In the Theaters — April 15, 1944

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Of all the words I could use to describe "A Foreign Affair, "zany" is not one of them.  July 23, 1948: "The bitterness of 'A Foreign Affair' is thus likely to linger after its laughs have passed," Edwin Schallert says. … Continue reading

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In the Theaters — April 14, 1942

Edwin Schallert reports that Adolphe Menjou has been cast in the critical role of the innkeeper in "Casablanca." "Menjou's part is to be the most important of the character type and he will have much to do with motivating the … Continue reading

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Coming soon: "The Emperor Waltz," May 24, 1948. Later appraisals of Billy Wilder's career dismiss "The Emperor Waltz" as a footnote, blaming bad chemistry between Wilder and Bing Crosby. Years before making "Waltz," Wilder said he wanted to do a … Continue reading

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SLA Pipe Bombs Revisited

Aug. 23, 1975: Bombs are found under two LAPD cars. In the last 33 years, The Times has published varying accounts of the August 1975 incident in which the Symbionese Liberation Army planted pipe bombs under two LAPD cars — … Continue reading

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Voices — Marilyn Chambers, 1952 — 2009

"Marilyn Chambers is no dummy," The Times' Robert Hilburn says in beginning his profile of the former porn star, who was promoting a "disco-flavored" single, "Benihana."   "I'd like to be someone like Sammy Davis Jr., who can sing, dance, … Continue reading

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