Category Archives: Second Takes

Second Takes – ‘Naked City’

Posted on July 28, 2011 by lmharnisch

March 10, 1948: “Naked City” opens in Los Angeles. Credit: Los Angeles Times Several years ago, when Kim Cooper of the 1947project and I were briefly discussing a book, I did some research on film noir, particularly “Naked City,” the … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – Billy Wilder

Posted on October 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

You may know that film director Billy Wilder was an avid art collector but have only a vague notion of what he owned. Toward the end of his life, he put much of his artwork up for sale. The catalogue … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Preston Sturges

Posted on August 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

James Curtis, author of the Preston Sturges biography "Between Flops," writes:   I was a little taken aback today when I came upon your clutch of articles on Preston Sturges, and was suddenly reminded that he died exactly 50 years … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Second Takes | 1 Comment

Second Takes — Samuel Goldwyn

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Part 3 of Jack Smith's series on Samuel Goldwyn. Goldwyn describes discovering Vilma Banky — and making her into a star of silent films. He also spent a fortune on her marriage to Rod La Rocque.

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Second Takes — Samuel Goldwyn

Posted on June 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times' Jack Smith continues his series on Samuel Goldwyn. "When I arrived in New York I was absolutely alone, with no friend or relative to greet me," Goldwyn says.

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1954: "Sabrina" opens in Los Angeles. May 27, 1953: David Knight is cast in "Sabrina Fair." June 20, 1953: More about Knight, who vanished from the final cast.  Aug. 22, 1953: The leads are cast: Audrey Hepburn, William … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  March 26, 1954: William Holden wins his only Oscar for "Stalag 17," after being nominated for "Sunset Boulevard" and in 1977 for "Network." Billy Wilder (best director) and Robert Strauss (best supporting actor) are also nominated, Feb. 16, 1954: … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

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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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

After 13 films between 1938 ("Bluebeard's Wife") and 1945 ("The Lost Weekend"), there's a three-year gap before the 1948 release of "The Emperor Waltz." Wilder was active personally and professionally during this period. He divorced his wife, served in Germany … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Andrea Leeds is cast for the lead of "Lost Weekend" … … or maybe Katharine Hepburn.   http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-1976207906583051047&hl=en&fs=true Note the use of the theremin in Miklos Rozsa's score.  Edwin Schallert reviews "Lost Weekend," Nov. 30, 1945 Billy Wilder wins an … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1943: "Five Graves to Cairo" opens in Los Angeles.  July 12, 1943: A typical post-release blurb about the film. http://d.yimg.com/static.video.yahoo.com/yep/YV_YEP.swf?ver=2.2.40Erich Von Stroheim as Field Marshal Rommel in "Five Graves to Cairo @ Yahoo! Video Nov. 5, 1942.  Above, … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

  After the opening, Paramount went to one-column ads for "The Major and the Minor," then bought larger ads once the film was held over. "Lux Radio Theater" featured "The Major and the Minor" on May 31, 1943. Showings of … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

    SALUTING STANWYCK: A LIFE ON FILM 'When I'm Doing a Role, a Good Role, I'm Being Someone Other Than Me . . .' April 5, 1987 By PAUL ROSENFIELD, Be it Marwyck, the Irish farmhouse with stables and brood … Continue reading →

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Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Kevin Thomas writes an appreciation of director Mitchell Leisen for a 1977 revival of "Midnight" and "Death Takes a Holiday." The 1941 film "Hold Back the Dawn" reunited Leisen, Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. The Times' Philip K. Scheuer calls … Continue reading →

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