Los Angeles Celebrates Christmas, 1913

Posted on December 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

Dec. 25, 1913, Christmas in Los Angeles

Dec. 25, 1913, Christmas

Dec. 25, 1913: The Times carries a biblical passage across the nameplate (notice the artwork of the new and old Times buildings) and a Page 1 cartoon by Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale. “Cartoonist Gale” frequently drew a character known as Miss Los Angeles, but I don’t recall seeing “Mr. Wad” before. Gale was an institution at The Times for many years, but finally quit in a dispute and went to the Los Angeles Examiner.

One way Los Angeles celebrated Christmas 100 years ago was dinner at the Cafe Bristol, Spring and 4th streets.  The 50-cent luncheon deluxe would be $11.80 today.

Or one could take a refreshing, invigorating bath at Melrose Avenue and Gower Street, location of the Radium Sulphur Springs, which advertises: Drink the most radioactive natural curative mineral water.

And there’s a poem by Britain’s poet laureate, Robert Bridges, which you may recognize because John Denver turned it into a song, “Christmas Eve, 1913.”

Best wishes from the Los Angeles Daily Mirror.

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Posted in 1913, Art & Artists, Food and Drink, Medicine | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Mayor Garcetti Fires Up the Lindbergh Beacon

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Dec. 24, 2014, Lindbergh Beacon

And yes, here is the Lindberg beacon atop City Hall, illuminating the skies over Los Angeles for Christmas Eve 2014.

Posted in 2014, City Hall, Downtown | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Lindbergh Beacon to Be Lit

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that he will fire up the Lindbergh beacon atop City Hall tonight and that it will remain lit through Jan. 5. I’ll post photos later.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Lindbergh Beacon to Be Lit

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide: A Brief History of the Tom and Jerry

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

image

A recipe for the Tom and Jerry from the San Francisco Call, June 30, 1912.

Note: This is a repost from 2013.

Over on Facebook, Christopher McPherson asked whether the Tom and Jerry was named for the MGM cartoon characters. I said I suspected the opposite was true, rather like Disney’s Chip ‘n’ Dale being named for Chippendale furniture.

All the old newspaper stories give credit for the drink to bartender Jerry Thomas, who according to one account was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1825 (or Watertown, N.Y., in 1830).

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Posted in 1862, Books and Authors, Food and Drink | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Final suggestion: “Missing Reels,” by Farran Smith Nehme, who writes so wonderfully about films on the Self-Styled Siren. “Missing Reels” is available from Amazon. Locally, it’s listed at Book Soup (“on our shelves now”), Skylight Books (“ships to store in 1-5 days”)  and Vroman’s (“probably in stock; call first”).

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 42

Posted on December 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

In Time to Come

An image from the Broadway play “In Time to Come,” directed by Otto Preminger, listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $32.75.

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los Angeles in November 1944.

The first 30 posts were devoted to the writing career of “Laura” novelist Vera Caspary; the state of the detective story in 1941, when she was writing the novel; the New York locations Caspary used in the book; and an examination of the major and minor characters.

The next nine posts broke down the novel to study the significant challenges of adapting it for the screen.

What follows now has more to do with studio deal-making and executive power plays rather than the creative process, and it’s as complex as any novel of political intrigue.

The Making of “Laura” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, World War I, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide

Posted on December 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

tom_and_jerry_mugs
A set of five Tom and Jerry mugs listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $20.

Note: This is a repost from 2013.

We don’t keep a bottle of Scotch in our desk in the city room of the L.A. Daily Mirror. In fact, we are something of a wet blanket when it comes to imbibing.

However, we can’t resist a nod to drinks of the past during this time of year.

Our first is the Tom and Jerry (we still have grandma’s dozens of Tom and Jerry mugs stashed away somewhere or other). The Tom and Jerry was a seasonal favorite back in 1940s, but I can’t say I have seen them at a party or ever tasted one.

If you’re planning some retro holiday celebrating (you know who you are), here’s how to make them.

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Posted in 1945, Food and Drink | Tagged , | 3 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Hllzapoppin

Yes, “Hellzapoppin’ ” is actually out on DVD. It’s available from Amazon UK for £7.99 (about $12.50). But there’s a catch: It’s a Region-2 DVD. I’m told by someone who bought a copy that it’s a sharp print and will play in an all-region DVD player.

 

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

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 41

Posted on December 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Otto Preminger makes his film debut as an actor in 1942 in “The Pied Piper.” Preminger said in a 1970 interview in On Film: “Although I’m Jewish, I can look like a Nazi if I shave my head.” The film starred Monty Woolley, who was at one time cast as Waldo Lydecker in “Laura.”

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los Angeles in November 1944.

The first 30 posts were devoted to the writing career of “Laura” novelist Vera Caspary; the state of the detective story in 1941, when she was writing the novel; the New York locations Caspary used in the book; and an examination of the major and minor characters.

The next nine posts broke down the novel to study the significant challenges of adapting it for the screen.

What follows now has more to do with studio deal-making and politics rather than the creative process.

The Making of “Laura” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, 1943, 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Stage | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

Dead to Me

If you are running a bit late in your holiday shopping, you might consider an advance order of “Dead to Me,” a YA (young adult) novel to be issued by Disney-Hyperion in March.

“Dead to Me” is by Mary McCoy, a longtime friend of the L.A. Daily Mirror, writer on numerous history blogs, top-notch history/genealogy librarian and most recently senior librarian at the L.A. Public Library’s Teen’Scape.

“Dead” has been receiving good advance notice and was praised by Kirkus Reviews: “McCoy’s mystery unfolds slowly and cautiously, offering enough clues—and red herrings—to keep readers hooked. Its conclusion is tidily, perhaps a bit too conveniently, resolved, but against the richly envisioned backdrop of golden-age Hollywood’s sinister underbelly, this minor quibble is easily forgiven.”

It is available for preorder for $17.99 in Southern California bookstores: Vroman’s, Skylight Books and Book Soup; online via Amazon  in hardback ($13.49) and for the Kindle ($9.99).

Posted in Books and Authors, Hollywood | Tagged , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

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This week’s mystery movie was the 1942 MGM film “Tennessee Johnson” with Van Heflin (Friday’s mystery guest), Lionel Barrymore (Thursday’s mystery guest), Ruth Hussey (Tuesday’s mystery guest), Marjorie Main, Regis Toomey and J. Edward Bromberg (not shown). The screenplay was by John L. Balderston and Wells Root, based on a story by Milton Gunzberg and Alvin Meyers. It also featured Morris Ankrum as Jefferson Davis (Monday’s mystery guest) and Charles Dingle (Wednesday’s mystery guest) as Sen. Jim Waters. It was directed by William Dieterle.

Longtime reader Dennis Gilliam raised an interesting question about whether I do repeats. The answer is no, with this caveat: I don’t repeat mystery movies, which began when the Daily Mirror was canceled by The Times and I kept it going as a personal project. Anything I did before that using stills from The Times photo library is fair game.

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 60 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywoodland Riding Stable First of Its Kind in Los Angeles

Posted on December 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

Hollywoodland Riding Trails


When it announced its opening for business on March 31, 1923, the Hollywoodland real estate development promised quality homes, upscale amenities now considered de rigueur in gated communities, and beautiful surroundings to discerning homebuyers. The first to construct a business district inside its boundaries, the first to establish a jitney service, the first hillside housing development that built homes following the contours of the hills, Hollywoodland also proclaimed itself the first to establish a stable and riding school for its residents.

Located at the very top of Beachwood Canyon, the subdivision land and a total of 640 acres had been purchased by streetcar barons and real estate moguls Eli P. Clark and M. H. Sherman from Julia Lord on July 8, 1905. Two incredibly smart businessmen, Clark and Sherman bought acreage near their streetcar lines, waiting until the opportune moment to open them for sale. They owned land in Sherman (now West Hollywood), and out in the San Fernando Valley, as well as Hollywoodland and other areas. They also wisely brought Harrison Gray Otis on as partner, in order to receive plenty of free advertising, stories, or what could be called advertorials, in The Los Angeles Times. After his death, his son-in-law Harry Chandler continued the practice.

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

Continue reading →

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

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 19, 2014 by lmharnisch

Norden Bomb Sight

This Norden bomb sight has been listed on EBay with bids starting at $1.950. As with anything on EBay, an item and vendor should be evaluated thoroughly before submitting a bid.

Posted in World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

The Shrinking U.S. Newspaper, 1896 – 2014

Posted on December 19, 2014 by lmharnisch

 

Shrinking AMerican Newspaper

Here’s an issue of the San Francisco Call from 1896 compared to a recent page from the 2014 Los Angeles Times.

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Posted in 2014 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

cadillac_charles_bronson

So far, most of the retro gift suggestions have been books. But what if your significant other isn’t much of a reader? Well, then, how about this 1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible owned by Charles Bronson? It’s listed at $34,500 and has a 429 V-8 engine, in case you are in a hurry.

Posted in 1964, Transportation | Tagged , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 40

Posted on December 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

"Laura," script

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los Angeles in November 1944.

The first 30 posts were devoted to the writing career of “Laura” novelist Vera Caspary; the state of the detective story in 1941, when she was writing the novel; the New York locations Caspary used in the book; and an examination of the major and minor characters.

The next nine posts broke down the novel to study the significant challenges of adapting it for the screen.

The Making of “Laura” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 17, 2014 by lmharnisch

marion_eisenmann_cups

Longtime readers of the L.A. Daily Mirror will remember Marion Eisenmann’s contributions of artwork. She is also offering a few items with her artwork, as shown above.

Contact Marion directly for more information about items in her store.

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Posted in Art & Artists, Artist's Notebook, Marion Eisenmann | Tagged , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 39

Posted on December 17, 2014 by lmharnisch

Laura, Page 219

 

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los Angeles in November 1944.

The first 30 posts were devoted to the writing career of “Laura” novelist Vera Caspary; the state of the detective story in 1941, when she was writing the novel; the New York locations Caspary used in the book; and an examination of the major and minor characters.

This series of posts breaks down the novel to study the challenges of adapting it for the screen.

The Making of “Laura” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead; heavy symbolism alert

 

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 39

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

John Gilbert Book
Note: This is a repost from 2013.

Today’s holiday gift suggestion is the latest biography from Eve Golden, “John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars.”

The Daily Mirror likes to support its local independent bookstore whenever possible. But if you’re not close to a good local bookstore, “John Gilbert” is available from TCM and Amazon (both print and Kindle, and something called “Audible.”)

Eve’s other titles include:

Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway

The Brief, Madcap Life of Kay Kendall

Golden Images: 41 Essays on Silent Film Stars

Platinum Girl: The Life and Legends of Jean Harlow

Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara

Vernon and Irene Castle’s Ragtime Revolution

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 38

Posted on December 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

Laura

In case you just tuned in, I’m using Louella Parsons’ May 15, 1944, item on Rouben Mamoulian being replaced as the director of “Laura” to take a meandering look at the making of the film, which was released in Los Angeles in November 1944.

The first 30 posts were devoted to the writing career of “Laura” novelist Vera Caspary; the state of the detective story in 1941, when she was writing the novel; the New York locations Caspary used in the book; and an examination of the major and minor characters.

This series of posts breaks down the novel to study the challenges of adapting it for the screen.

The Making of “Laura” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead; N-word alert

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments