Category Archives: Hollywood

Black Dahlia: ‘I Am the Night’ – My Head Is Already Exploding

Posted on November 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Uh-oh. You have GOT to be kidding.  Is THIS supposed to be Dr. George Hodel??? This is ridiculous – and has nothing to do with the Black Dahlia case. Nada.

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1955 Warner Bros. picture “I Died a Thousand Times,” with Jack Palance, Shelley Winters, Lori Nelson, Lee Marvin, Gonzalez Gonzalez, Lon Chaney, Earl Holliman, Perry Lopez, Richard Davalos, Howard St. John, Olive Carey, Ralph … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Actor Jack Donovan Designs Bungalow Courts for Hollywood Artistes

Posted on November 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Jack Donovan on the porch of his home, “Picture-Play Magazine,” April 1923.. From its beginnings, the Hollywood film industry has constructed elaborate sets and facades before demolishing them to build something else, such as David O. Selznick burning down old … Continue reading →

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Nov. 25, 1947: House Indicts the ‘Hollywood 10’ for Contempt

Posted on November 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. One Republican, Claude I. Bakewell of Missouri; Vito Marcantonio of the American Labor Party; and 15 Democrats voted against this measure: John Blatnik of Minnesota; Sol … Continue reading →

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Nov. 24, 1907: Roving to Monrovia

Posted on November 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 24, 1907 Monrovia The Times real estate section takes a look at what was then the distant suburb of Monrovia, 22 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The writer notes the increasing … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1908, 1911, Architecture, Downtown, Education, Film, Freeways, Hollywood, Real Estate | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Roosevelt Declares Early Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2011. Nov. 9, 1941: Amid the gathering clouds of World War II, President Roosevelt declares what will be the last peacetime Thanksgiving. Noting American aid to nations fighting the Axis, Roosevelt says: “Let … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Columnists, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Religion, World War II | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Roosevelt Declares Early Thanksgiving

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Celebrates Christmas With a Parade

Posted on November 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

The view down Hollywood Boulevard in 2014. Photograph by Mary Mallory. Photo: Santa Claus Lane, shown in a postcard on EBay, listed as Buy It Now for $8.50. Note: The 87th Hollywood Christmas Parade, with Nancy O’Dell as grand marshal, … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the March 18, 1910, Edison production of “Frankenstein,” directed by J. Searle Dawley, photographed by James White, with Augustus Phillips, Mary Fuller and Charles Ogle. Music scored and performed by Donald Sosin. The Library of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

1423 S. Van Ness

Posted on November 16, 2018 by lmharnisch

As promised, here are views of the home of Mrs. E.N. Eskey, featured in The Times in 1907. Note the damaged chimney, presumably the victim of seismic Darwinism. And as a bonus, here’s the home of Igor Stravinsky, which I … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Hollywood, LAPD, Streetcars | Comments Off on 1423 S. Van Ness

Nov. 15, 1981: Still Unsolved — Aspiring Screenwriter Killed in Hit-Run Staged to Look Like Rape

Posted on November 15, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Sue was 29, tall, blond and athletic with dimples every time she smiled—her big, clunky glasses the only thing that might betray a degree in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1981, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nov. 14, 1947: Frightening Food From the 1940s – M.J.B. Nightcap

Posted on November 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. 1. In the top of a double-boiler, combine 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and ¼ cup triple-strength M.J.B. coffee. Half-strength or triple-strength, the mellow … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Food and Drink, Frightening Food From the 1940s, Hollywood, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood’ | One-Page Fact Check: Fail

Posted on November 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

The one-page fact check of Karina Longworth’s “Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood” was even more successful than I expected. Well done, Brain Trust. Grade: Fail. Ready? Here we go:

Posted in 1920, 1921, 1923, 1925, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, One-Page Fact Check | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Another Good Story Ruined: Karina Longworth’s ‘Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood’

Posted on November 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Here’s a “fun” challenge. How many mistakes can you spot on the first page of “Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood?”   A friend who has written many distinguished books on Hollywood emailed me over the weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Abel Gance’s ‘J’Accuse’ a Passionate Indictment of War

Posted on November 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

An ad for “I Accuse” in Exhibitors Herald, Nov. 5, 1921. The “war to end all wars” ended November 11, 1918, at 11 am. After four years of butchery, gas attacks, hand-to-hand combat and trench warfare, soldiers walked away from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, World War I | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1936 Paramount picture “The Big Broadcast of 1937,” with Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, Shirley Ross, Ray Milland, Frank Forest, Benny Fields, Sam Hearn, Benny Goodman and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 40 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1964 Twentieth Century-Fox picture “Back Door to Hell” with Jimmie Rodgers, Jack Nicholson, John Hackett, Annabelle Huggins, Conrad Maga, Johnny Monteiro, Joe Sison, Henry Duval, Ben Perez and Vic Uematsu. Photography by Mars … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: John Decker – Painter to the Stars

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Chester Conklin by John Decker, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2013. “To sing, to laugh, to dream, to walk in my own way and be alone…” A recording of John Decker’s voice recited this … Continue reading →

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Nov. 5, 1947: ‘Amazing Career of a Girl Drug Addict’

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Nov. 5, 1947: She called it “The Amazing Career of a Girl Drug Addict” and she wasn’t exaggerating—and yet she was. Arrested in October for driving … Continue reading →

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Location Sleuth: ‘Double Indemnity’

Posted on November 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Update: This is a post from 2006. The location was identified by Crime Buddy Nathan Marsak as Olive Street, with Philharmonic Auditorium and Pershing Square in the background. Here’s a frame grab from the opening shots of “Double Indemnity.” According … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Architecture, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth, Olive, Parks | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Frightening Toys From the 1940s: Glow-in-the-Dark Tom Mix Cowboy Spurs

Posted on November 2, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. All right, kids, let’s do some math. 1947 take away 1940 leaves 7. That’s how many years Tom Mix has been dead. Now some science… Does … Continue reading →

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