Random Shot: Isabelle Yates in ‘Axis Powers’

Posted on August 31, 2015 by lmharnisch

Axis Powers

Snapped this photo last week during filming outside the Los Angeles Theatre.

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 31, 2015 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 2015, Mystery Photo

Sept. 5, 2015, Mystery Photo
This week’s mystery movie has been the 1944 Warner Bros. picture “The Conspirators,” with Hedy Lamarr and Paul Henreid (Friday’s mystery guests), Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre (Friday’s mystery guests), Victor Francen, Joseph Calleia (Thursday’s mystery guest), Carol Thurston, Vladimir Sokoloff, Edward Ciannelli, Steven Garay (Thursday’s mystery guest) and Kurt Katch (Wednesday’s mystery guest). The screenplay was by Vladimir Pozner and Leo Rosten with additional dialogue by Jack Moffitt, based on a novel by Fredric Prokosch. The music was by Max Steiner. Directed by former mystery guest Jean Negulesco.

There were lots of interesting guesses on this film. Several people guessed “Mask of Dimitrios” which holds a special place in my heart because it was the first movie I stayed up all night to see when WGN in Chicago started running movies all night on the weekends in the early 1960s. But far too easy for the brain trust. “Gilda” was another popular guess. But again, too easy for the brain trust.

The DVD is available from TCM or for a few dollars less from Warner Archive. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 43 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Sins of Hollywood – Tinseltown’s First Sordid Look at Scandal

Posted on August 31, 2015 by lmharnisch

The Sins of Hollywood
“The Sins of Hollywood,” via Archive.org.

From its very beginnings, the motion picture industry has endured protests and censorship attacks from conservative members of the American public, those scandalized at seeing women given the right to be heroines, use of spirits or drugs depicted on screen, accurate depictions of romantic or sexual relationships, and dramatic depictions of violence. At the same time, many of the same people complaining about these visceral images on screen were eagerly partaking of scandal sheets and tabloid newspapers filled with muck, sensationalism, and gossip. These hypocritical individuals failed to realize that one form of entertainment was just as bad as the other, but they allowed journalism to partake of First Amendment rights, but not the entertainment industry.

As early as 1905 to 1907, many persons began calling for censorship of moving pictures, and by 1909, many cities and states possessed censor boards which approved or disapproved films for public exhibition. Though they would censor film product for its licentiousness, these same public officials felt no need to alter or disapprove of scandalous printed forms of entertainment. Conservative voices increasingly voiced their opposition to film depictions whenever scandal erupted in the motion picture industry.
Mary Mallory’s “Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found” is available for the Kindle.

Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 24, 2015 by lmharnisch

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This week’s mystery production was the 1961 “Perry Mason” episode “The Case of the Envious Editor,” which deals with the publisher (James Coburn) of a magazine company who tries to boost its declining circulation by pandering to the lowest common denominator with sexually oriented material. And things go horribly wrong – at least for him.

“The Case of the Envious Editor” was directed by Laslo Benedek and written by Milton Krims. The story consultant was Jackson Gillis.  It starred series regulars Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper and Ray Collins, and guests Philip Abbott, James H. Coburn, Paul Lambert, H.M. Wynant, Barbara Lawrence, Jennifer Howard, Vinton Hayworth, Sara Shane, S. John Launer, Sid Tomack, Dave Willock, Jim Drum, Virginia Carroll, Paul Power, Donna Hayes, Harry Hollins and (although I looked for him in vain) George E. Stone.  Director of photography was Frank Redman and art direction was by Robert G. Stone.

Mystery Photo, Aug. 29, 2015
No more pictures of missiles! “Women’s Viewpoint will deal frankly with sex from the point of view of the woman….”

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Theatre Mechanique: Little Theatre, Big Heart

Posted on August 24, 2015 by lmharnisch

Olga Baclonova Theatre Mechanique

Theatre has enlightened and entertained audiences for centuries as it weaves the tales of life and love through both the comedic and dramatic talents of myriad actors. While most stage acting involves the danger and electricity of live performance, sometimes it employs only the voice to bring characters to life, such as in puppetry.

Puppetry and marionette work come alive solely through the magic of performers’ skills in voice acting. Both have entertained people young and old for eons, either through the slapstick anger of Punch and Judy shows, or the technical skill of real theatrical performance. Los Angeles possessed its own unique form of puppetry work in the early 1930s with Ellsworth Martin’s Theatre Mechanique, a sophisticated blend of old and new technologies for stage enthusiasts in what some newspapers at the time called “the world’s smallest theatre.”

Mary Mallory’s “Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found” is available for the Kindle.

Continue reading →

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

Merl Reagle: Bonus Crossword Puzzles to Remember an Old Friend

Posted on August 23, 2015 by lmharnisch

Merl Reagle, 1974

Merl Reagle in 1974 for the Invisible Theatre production of “Mad Dog.” I kept asking him why he didn’t write parts for himself and he said if he had wanted to, he would have done it. Original photo by Tim Fuller.

Like his friends and his many fans in the world of puzzles, I was stunned Saturday to learn of the death of Merl Reagle, whom I met my senior year at Catalina High School in Tucson (Class of 1968).

I had the good fortune to sit next to Merl in a required class for seniors with the compelling name American Problems. Mostly what I remember from that class is having Merl show me how to construct crossword puzzles (at that point, he had already sold his first puzzle to the New York Times). It was an early lesson from the master, in which he talked about wide-open designs and other elements that aren’t necessarily apparent to the solver but are crucial to the constructor.

 

Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Obituaries | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

A Brief Delay

Posted on August 20, 2015 by lmharnisch

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The Daily Mirror thanks its readers in advance for their patience.

Posted in Coming Attractions | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Black Dahlia: Portrait of ‘Not Elizabeth Short’ for Sale on EBay

Posted on August 18, 2015 by lmharnisch

black_dahlia_ebay_not_elizabeth_short

An EBay vendor has listed this portrait by Eleanor Merriam Lukits, stating that it “looks like Black Dahlia Elizabeth Short.”

Actually, no. The work appears to be skillfully done, but it’s not Elizabeth Short and doesn’t look like her. But I guess it’s a good sales gimmick. Bidding on this picture of “Not Elizabeth Short” starts  at $49.

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 17, 2015 by lmharnisch

Aug. 22, 2015, Mystery Photo
This week’s mystery movie has been the 1928 MGM film “Across to Singapore,” starring Ramon Novarro (Thursday’s mystery guest), Joan Crawford (Friday’s mystery guest) and Ernest Torrence (Monday’s mystery guest).

The film was based on the 1919 novel “All the Brothers Were Valiant” by Ben Ames Williams and adapted by Ted Shane. Settings were by Cedric Gibbons, wardrobe by David Cox, photography by John Seitz and editing by Ben Lewis. It was directed by William Nigh. The cast also included Frank Currier (Tuesday’s mystery guest), Dan Wolhelm, Duke Martin, Edward Connelly and James Mason (no, not that James Mason).

The Los Angeles opening at Loew’s State in April 1928 featured the Fanchon and Marco girls diving into what the Los Angeles Times described as a huge glass tank. Times film critic Marquis Busby  said of Crawford:  “unless I am badly mistaken Joan does the best work of her career.” Busby died in Los Angeles in 1934 at the age of 31.

As I noted earlier, this week’s mystery person was cinematographer John Seitz, who gave us “Double Indemnity,” “Lost Weekend,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Five Graves to Cairo,” “This Gun for Hire” and  “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek,” among many other film classics.  If anyone at TCM is reading this, how about a birthday tribute on June 23?

The film is available from Warner Archive, as is the 1953 MGM remake, “All the Brothers Were Valiant,” with Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger and Ann Blyth. “Across to Singapore” was itself a remake of “All the Brothers Were Valiant,” a 1923 Metro picture with Lon Chaney, Malcolm McGregor and Billie Dove, which Busby called “one of the best sea pictures ever made.”

lon_chaney_brothers_were_valiant

Images of the badly damaged 1923 “All the Brothers Were Valiant” here.

Williams’ novel is available at Archive.org.

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 75 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The 233 Club, Hollywood’s Masons

Posted on August 17, 2015 by lmharnisch

image Feb. 27, 1926: The proposed building for the 233 Club in the Los Angeles Times.

The jazz-mad, high-flying 1920s celebrated adventure, life, and excitement after all the dreariness and death of World War I. New-fangled fads skyrocketed in popularity one day, sliding to the basement the next as something shiny and new caught the eye. People rushed to join social clubs, with new private, social, and charitable organizations opening every day. While lodges like the Elks and Moose, and veterans and patriotic groups like the American Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution had existed for decades, new organizations like the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Optimists exploded in growth. Not to be outdone, Hollywood formed its own social groups like the 400 Club, the Mayfair Club, and the Masquers Club.

At the same time, a group of 50 New York City Masons now in Hollywood decided to form their own Masonic Temple. Calling themselves the 233 Club, after the name of New York’s Pacific Lodge F & AM No. 233 which contained only theatrical and entertainment members, the group elected Edward Davis, former president of the National Vaudeville Association as President and Don Meany as Vice President, per the July 8, 1924 Los Angeles Times.

Mary Mallory’s “Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found” is available for the Kindle.

Continue reading →

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Julian Bond: Video of 1968 Democratic National Convention

Posted on August 16, 2015 by lmharnisch

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This is how I think of Julian Bond: At the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago (notice the shots of Mayor Richard J. Daley) being nominated for vice president, but too young to hold the job. (Yes, Bond is talking to Dan Rather). Here’s the clip on YouTube.

Posted in 1968, Obituaries, Politics, Television | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Watts Riots: Rare Video of Marquette Frye

Posted on August 12, 2015 by lmharnisch

Marquette Frye

My good friend Tony Valdez aired part of an interview with Marquette Frye last night as part of Fox 11’s coverage of the Watts riots. The arrest of Frye by CHP officers is what touched off the riots in 1965. Tony says that he will have more of the interview Friday night at 10:30 p.m. Set your DVRs!

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 10, 2015 by lmharnisch

Aug. 15, 2015, mystery photo
I wanted to do a Michael Curtiz film, so as this week’s mystery movie, I chose the 1959 Mirisch Co. film “The Man in the Net,” starring Alan Ladd (Friday’s mystery guest), Carolyn Jones (Thursday’s mystery guest), Diane Brewster (Wednesday’s mystery guest), John Lupton (Friday’s mystery guest), Charles McGraw (Tuesday’s mystery guest) and Tom Helmore (Friday’s mystery guest).

The screenplay was by Reginald Rose, from a story by Patrick Quentin. Cinematography was by John Seitz , music by Hans J. Salter.

Monday’s mystery guest is identified in the credits as Steven Perry. IMDB, alas, has confused him with this Steven Perry.

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Rather than this Stephen Perry.

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I have given up trying to make fixes in IMDB, but it would be nice if they got this straightened out.

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 55 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Since Ma Is Playing Mah Jongg’ 1920s Game Craze

Posted on August 10, 2015 by lmharnisch

Since Ma is Playing Mah Jong

“Since Ma Is Playing Mah Jongg,” sung by Eddie Cantor, sheet music courtesy of Mary Mallory.

In the 1920s, life changed fast and furiously as people celebrated the Jazz Age. Dance mad, adventure-seeking flappers and flaneurs jumped from craze to craze enjoying the whirlwind of life. Games, foods, clothing, everything changed in a flash, tied to the experience hungry, new sensation-seeking younger Americans looking for excitement. Bridge, crossword puzzles, the Charleston, dance marathons, flagpole sitting, and the game of mah jongg enticed people of all ages insecure in their position and beliefs to jump onto the next big thing in order not to be left behind.

“Since Ma Is Playing Mah Jongg” by the Memphis Five.

For a few years in the 1920s, “mah jongg” became a household name and game, more popular than chess, checkers, or even certain card games. The game attracted many because of its exotic, mysterious game pieces and name, while also requiring some skill in remembering key rules and tiles.

Mary Mallory’s “Hollywood land: Tales Lost and Found” is available for the Kindle.

 

Continue reading →

Posted in 1922, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Another Good Story Ruined: The L.A. Times and the Watts Riots

Posted on August 4, 2015 by lmharnisch

Aug. 13, 1965, Charles Hillinger
Myth destroyed: The Times publishes a photo Aug. 13, 1965  of Charles Hillinger in the riot area interviewing people.

As next week’s anniversary of the Watts Riots draws near, I am once again hearing the old urban myth that the Los Angeles Times was afraid of sending white reporters to cover the unrest so it drafted Bob Richardson, an African American from the advertising department.

Executive Summary: Totally False.

Here is an account by Charles Hillinger debunking the story, which had been revived by Bob Baker, both of whom have gone to the city room in the sky.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1965, African Americans, Another Good Story Ruined, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: Will Fowler on South Norton Avenue, October 1996

Posted on August 3, 2015 by lmharnisch

Aug. 3, 2015, Will Fowler

As I mentioned previously, I am slowly digitizing my Black Dahlia files. Here’s a frame grab from a video I shot of Will Fowler on South Norton Avenue in October 1996. Like many people who have written about the killing of Elizabeth Short, Will could not resist the temptation to embellish the facts.

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 3, 2015 by lmharnisch

tom_tyler
A one-page biography of Tom Tyler.

This week’s movie has been a double threat: A silent Western. It’s the 1928 Film Booking Offices of America movie “The Texas Tornado,” starring Tom Tyler (Friday’s mystery guest) and child star Frankie Darrow and his dog Beans (Thursday’s mystery guests).

I thought it would be fun to do a Pandro S. Berman movie this week and decided to pick this one, on which he was the film editor. It can only be found in a few fragments on YouTube, but apparently it’s one of the few surviving F.B.O. movies.

“The Texas Tornado” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

Continue reading →

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: The ‘It’ Cafe, Hollywood’s Swankiest Night Spot

Posted on August 3, 2015 by lmharnisch

It Cafe
The “It” Cafe in the Hollywood Plaza Hotel, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Restaurants go in and out of style in Hollywood just as quickly as go-go boots and bell bottoms, thanks to those following the hip crowd and looking for the next big thing. Insecure and superficial patrons ape trends rather than march to their own values and beliefs. They make bars, nightclubs, and restaurants hot and popular for short periods of time, in their insatiable quest for the new, different, and unique.

A movie star’s career often follows the same trend, as audiences tire of the same old thing and search out new, compelling talent. Some stars’ magnetic personalities and expressive eyes, however, draw others into their spells. To help maintain their celebrity status and financial rank, they open businesses taking advantage of their “brand” names and personalities.

Mary Mallory’s “Hollywood land: Tales Lost and Found” is available for the Kindle.

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Another Good Story Ruined: ‘No Irish Need Apply’ Debunker Gets Debunked by Young Scholar

Posted on August 1, 2015 by lmharnisch

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Here’s an excellent weekend read by Patrick Young, Esq., in the Long Island Wins, rebutting the contention that “No Irish Need Apply” was mere paranoia and legend. Thanks to Earl Boebert for the tip.

”No Irish Need Apply: A Myth of Victimization” by Richard Jensen, revised somewhat from its winter 2002 publication (password required).

“No Irish Need Deny” by Rebecca A. Fried  in the current issue of Oxford’s Journal of Social History. (password required).

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Black Dahlia: Hack Writing and the Birth of Urban Myths

Posted on July 30, 2015 by lmharnisch

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Hollywood Citizen-News, Jan. 15, 1947.

I’m slowly digitizing my files on the Elizabeth Short killing for easier access, and yesterday I was going through the Hollywood Citizen-News, which is one of the lesser sources on the case.  And, of course, the unidentified reporter  did exactly what we see today: a few graphs down, the writer dives into the clips. (Remember, Aggie Underwood’s Red Manley interview is the only time anyone received a byline in the original stories).

This is a trick used by reporters (or more frequently these days, online editors) to pad out a story when there aren’t enough details.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, Black Dahlia, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments