Category Archives: Hollywood

Girl strangled

April 4-June 12, 1958 Los Angeles "I think I just killed a girl."Cary had killed her, all right. Strangled her with her sweater. Afterward, he drove around the Valley with her slumped under the dash until the left front wheel … Continue reading

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April 9, 1958

Above, a review of a concert at the Million Dollar Theater (coming up May 11: Mariachi Vargas!) Below, Mickey Cohen touches off a sensation by releasing Lana Turner’s love letters to Johnny Stompanato. Quote of the Day: "In all my … Continue reading

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April 8, 1958

Above, Al Jolson in blackface as the lead in "Porgy and Bess" while African Americans play all the other roles? Now there’s a casting idea that takes my breath away. Philip Scheuer interviews Ira Gershwin and notes that the lyricist … Continue reading

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April 7, 1958

Above, the quarrel between Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato that led to his death may have begun over whether he was going to accompany her to the Academy Awards! Below, some of the type is missing from the jump of … Continue reading

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Charlton Heston, RIP

Oct. 28, 1956 Los Angeles Look at this! We had our religion writer Dan Thrapp interview Charlton Heston about his role as Moses in "The Ten Commandments." Fortunately, Thrapp was not from the "over a salad and mineral water at … Continue reading

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April 4, 1958

Above, MGM is making an expensive gamble on "Ben-Hur." Below, The Times continues its daily news feature on Holy Week … and has a story about the beginning of Passover … Detectives are trying to find out why a family … Continue reading

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April 4, 1938

Above, the "Laugh Dictators." Who says politics doesn’t influence the arts? Below, what’s being said from the pulpit about the plight of Europe. Episcopalian: "In Germany, Hitler has attempted to dominate even religion, which means not only the unfortunate suppression … Continue reading

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April 2, 1958

Above, the popularity of TV westerns spreads to "Ozzie and Harriet." Below, Holy Week is presented in a daily news feature based on the Gospels. It is difficult to imagine that even in the 1950s anybody thought this was a … Continue reading

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Mystery photo

OK, what actress’ photo was retouched by The Times because her neckline was too revealing? Fred Ahlert has guessed correctly. I’ll post the answer and some more photos later today! Frances Farmer in "Flowing Gold," 1940.  Tallulah Bankhead? Alas, no. … Continue reading

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April 1, 1958

Above, the wonders of "Cinemiracle." Below, police kill one of two men who led officers on a chase in a stolen car … An update on housewives’ boycott of meat, which Paul Coates wrote about a few day earlier …  … Continue reading

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March 31, 1958

Above, Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster in "Run Silent, Run Deep," directed by Robert Wise. Below, fighting in the Middle East … For the first time in its history, the Legislature adjourns without a budget. The governor calls legislators back … Continue reading

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March 31, 1938

Above, film novice Charlie McCarthy blows his top. Below, vegetable peddler George Sakalis, a key witness in the Earle Kynette case, gets additional protection after complaining that he is being followed by private detectives … The head of the VFW … Continue reading

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March 27, 1958

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Matt Weinstock

March 26, 1958 Library Week has passed and it is to be hoped that it stimulated and rekindled interest in reading. It also stirred the conscience of a Studio City man named John. Let him tell it. "Library Week unaccountably … Continue reading

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Richard Widmark, RIP

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Mini contest

March 24, 1958 Los Angeles Just because the deadline passed 50 years ago doesn’t mean the Daily Mirror can’t have a little fun. There are no prizes, only a little vintage amusement…. Send me your best interpretation of the NBC … Continue reading

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March 26, 1958

Above, one movie that is not on Netflix (although "Bitter Victory" is available) … Below, The Times’ editorial page pays tribute to attorney Joseph Scott … and notes the fifth anniversary of Jonas Salk’s announcement that he had discovered a polio … Continue reading

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Recalling Michael Todd

Here’s Cecil Smith’s two-part series on Michael Todd, published in The Times in May 1957. David Niven called him, "The best thing to ever hit Hollywood." John Farrow, fired as the director of "Around the World in 80 Days," said: … Continue reading

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Paul Coates

March 24, 1958 In the movies, they make it out like reporters aren’t averse to drinking one too many. That they’d trade their mothers’ wedding bands for an exclusive expose. And that when they’re on a hot crime story, they … Continue reading

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March 24, 1958

Above, the pill is 100% effective in preliminary tests … Below, Bob Hope returns from the Soviet Union, where it was 20 below, and says "Palm Springs, open up your pearly gates" … A makeshift bomb is found in the … Continue reading

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