Category Archives: Hollywood

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Sign Built and Illuminated November-December 1923

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Hollywoodland Sign, in a photo published in the Los Angeles Evening Herald, Dec. 8, 1923. Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Originally constructed as a publicity gimmick and branding symbol to help generate sales for a real … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

December 1947: Forget-Me-Nots for the Rose Queens of Yesteryear

Posted on December 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. What has become of the Rose Queens of yesteryear? What has happened to the girls who in the past have ruled over the glamour, excitement … Continue reading →

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L.A. Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Mary Mallory’s posts are one of the L.A. Daily Mirror’s most popular features, so we are happy to recommend “Hollywoodland”; “Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays,” written with Karie Bible; “Hollywood at Play,” written … Continue reading →

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Shout Out to Nathan

Posted on December 5, 2018 by lmharnisch
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December 1947: It’s Curtains, Rocky! MPAA Bans Gangster Pictures

Posted on December 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. NEW YORK, Dec. 3. (AP)—The board of directors of the Motion Picture Association of America today voted to cease distribution of new and old pictures glorifying … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

December 1947: Youths, Bored With Hunting Squirrels, Shot at Each Other – Then One of Them Died

Posted on December 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and original appeared on the 1947project. Facing a possible accusation of involuntary manslaughter, Jack L. Modisett, 17, of 1717 N. Avenue 53, was removed to Ventura on an open charge yesterday after … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1949 Warner Bros. film “Colorado Territory,” with Joel McCrea, Virginia Mayo, Dorothy Malone, Henry Hull, John Archer, James Mitchell, Morris Ankrum, Basil Ruysdael, Frank Puglia, Ian Wolfe, Harry Woods and Houseley Stevenson. Written by … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Mary Pickford Dances Into Screen Adulthood in ‘Rosita’

Posted on December 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Above, a clip of “Restoring a Lost Silent Film: How to See “Rosita” by Dave Kehr from the Museum of Modern Art. This is an encore post from May. In 1922, legendary German film director Ernst Lubitsch and “America’s Sweetheart” … Continue reading →

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December 1947: Son Uses Coin Telescope at Point Fermin to Spot Body of Missing Father

Posted on December 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Herbert’s mother phoned him on Monday because his father, Fritz, was missing from their home at 3703 W. Bluff Place in San Pedro. Herbert told police … Continue reading →

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December 1947: Arabs Burn U.S. Embassy; Lubitsch Dies at 55

Posted on December 2, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Ernst Lubitsch dies at his home in Bel-Air. He is 55. Quote of the day: “Why not? I have nothing to go home to. My mother … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Hollywood, Middle East | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: “I Am the Night” and Dr. George Hodel, Who Never Killed Anyone

Posted on December 1, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sorry, Verve magazine, Dr. George Hodel was NOT known “to have committed the murder of the Black Dahlia.” In fact, he was not known to have killed anybody.. Also, he wasn’t a “Hollywood gynaecologist” infamous or otherwise.

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Black Dahlia: ‘I Am the Night’ – Not Featuring Man Ray!

Posted on November 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Above, a frame from “I Am the Night” showing what I have to assume is Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel presiding over a meeting of the Hollywood Minotaur Club. I was looking over the cast of “I Am the Night,” … Continue reading →

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Nov. 30, 2006: Architectural Rambling

Posted on November 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Here’s the former Calvary Presbyterian Church in South Pasadena, now the Grace Brethren church. Note: This is an encore post. Nov. 30, 2006 Los Angeles I don’t think anyone who knows both of us will ever confuse me with Nathan … Continue reading →

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Hollywood 1948: Stars Pick Their Biggest Movie Turkeys; Lizabeth Scott Calls ‘Dead Reckoning’ Her Worst Film

Posted on November 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Aug. 25, 1948: Lizabeth Scott tells veteran Hollywood columnist Bob Thomas of the Associated Press: “I never did understand the character. Bogie was a baby. He was the only thing that made it possible to get through the picture.” Also, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1948, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

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