Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Sennett Stills Photographers Display Wide Talents

Posted on November 3, 2014 by lmharnisch

shadowland07brew_0095
Derelys Perdue, photo by Albert J. Kopec.


While some motion picture stills photographers are renowned for their work, such as George Hurrell, Clarence Sinclair Bull, Ernest Bachrach, and Ruth Harriet Louise, others are largely forgotten today, seeming to disappear into the mists of time decades ago. Such is the case with Albert J. Kopec and George Cannons, two of Mack Sennett’s stills photographers. Neither as famous or perhaps as talented as Nelson Evans or James Abbé in their day, the two immigrants created some beautiful work and displayed a wide range of photographic skill throughout their careers, revealing strong compositional eyes.

Forgotten Man Kopec worked for over six decades as a photographer, but seldom appears in any book or article on stills photographers. Working as a second unit man for comedy producer Mack Sennett meant little opportunity for shooting full out glamour shots, the images widely shared by magazines and newspapers.

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

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

Shadowing Marlowe: Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on November 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

Shadowing Marlowe

Someone asked me what I thought of this article in our hometown paper and when I got done laughing I pulled out Frank MacShane’s “Selected Letters of Raymond Chandler” and “The Life of Raymond Chandler.”

You guessed it.

Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

Time to Turn the Clocks Back!

Posted on November 2, 2014 by lmharnisch

Pier Angelia

On behalf of the L.A. Daily Mirror, Pier Angeli and little friend remind you that Daylight Saving Time is o-ver. Or as William Safire used to say: “Fall is the time of year that conservatives like best because they get to turn the clock back.”

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

Black Dahlia: The Cecil Hotel and Halloween — Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on October 31, 2014 by lmharnisch

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LAist is the latest to jump on the “who cares if it’s true, it’s Halloween!” bandwagon. Not with the “Black Dahlia Murder House” legend, but by reviving the old chestnut about Elizabeth Short and the Cecil Hotel. Note the “allegedly,” so useful in repeating something the writer wishes were true. Followed by this gem: “IT IS SAID that so many people jumped off the roof in suicide attempts that the adjacent parking lot sued the hotel.” Said by whom? Ridiculous!

Previously: The Black Dahlia and the Cecil Hotel – Another Good Story Ruined

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Downtown | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

An (In)complete List of TCM Tributes (Updated)

Posted on October 31, 2014 by lmharnisch

Here’s an updated list of TCM tributes.
(Nov. 1, 2014: Adds John Cleese on W.C. Fields, Jamie Leigh Curtis on Janet Leigh, Naked and Famous rock video of Joan Crawford; adds writer/editor and production company credits for Guillotine Post)
(Nov. 2, 2014: Adds Dennis Hopper on Nicholas Ray)
(Dec. 3, 2014: Adds Woody Allen on Ingmar Bergman — not online)
Please let me know if I have missed one.

Prince Albert of Monaco on Grace Kelly
Woody Allen on Ingmar Bergman (not online)

Anonymous on June Allyson
Anonymous on Mary Astor
Anonymous on Robert Benchley
Anonymous on Audie Murphy
Anonymous on Kim Novak

Claire Bloom on Charlie Chaplin
Ann Blyth on Joan Crawford
Ernest Borgnine on Robert Ryan
Carol Burnett on Lucille Ball

Continue reading →

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

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 17

Posted on October 30, 2014 by lmharnisch

728 1/2 E. 25th St., Census

The Herald-Express described the neighborhood where the killer abandoned the Bauerdorf car as “a Negro residential district.” (Oct. 13, 1944.)

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Black Dahlia: Sorry, Houston Chronicle, Nobody Killed in the Sowden House

Posted on October 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

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The Houston Chronicle is the latest to fall for the “Black Dahlia Murder House” nonsense.

The Chronicle at least attempts to be skeptical, but oh well, it is Halloween and websites desperately need click bait.

This 5,600 square-foot home has dark ties, with a previous owner rumored to be a part of the “Black Dahlia” murders. You can own this architectural masterpiece for a cool $4.875 million.

That’s right. There were multiple “Black Dahlia” murders, at least according to the non-researched post by Maribel Molina.

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 16

Posted on October 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 14, 1944, Los Angeles Examiner
Deputies Garner Brown, left, and John Schilling examine the Bauerdorf car for fingerprints, Los Angeles Examiner, Oct. 13, 1944.

When Georgette Bauerdorf’s body was discovered, investigators were unable to locate her car, a 1936 Oldsmobile coupe belonging to her sister.

The Oldsmobile was found Thursday, Oct. 12, 1944, in front of 728 1/2 E. 25th St. and had been parked there since early that morning. The keys were in the ignition and the gas tank was empty. (Daily News, Oct. 14, 1944).  The vehicle was reported by Mrs. Marion Mound (Mounday according to the 1940 census), who said the car had been parked there since 7:30 a.m. (Herald-Express, Oct. 13, 1944). The Herald described the neighborhood as “a Negro residential district.” (Oct. 13, 1944.) (More about the neighborhood later).

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 15

Posted on October 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

Bauerdorf Car

Sheriff’s investigators examine Connie Bauerdorf’s 1936 Oldsmobile, which was being used by Georgette Bauerdorf and disappeared after the killing, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

One of the mysteries confronting investigators in the Georgette Bauerdorf case was what became of the car, a green 1936 Oldsmobile, California license 59-B-875 that belonged to her sister Connie and which Georgette was using while the family was out of town. (Daily News, Oct. 13, 1944).

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Black Dahlia Murder House and Dr. George Hodel: Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on October 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Sorry, Ashbury Park Press (a Gannett publication), there is nothing to show that anybody was killed at the Sowden House. There is only nonsense about  Buster the Wonder Dog  reacting to something or other. And, for the record, Elizabeth Short wasn’t dismembered. She was cut in half.

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Black Dahlia | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Wikipedia Strikes Again: Madison Bumgarner Edition

Posted on October 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

Wikipedia

This entry on Madison Bumgarner has been fixed. But that it happened at all illustrates one of the main weaknesses of Wikipedia, which can be edited by anyone. Via Romenesko.

The apparent vandal, 70.121.231.64, can be geolocated to either Kansas City (quelle shock!) or Herndon, Va.

Posted in Sports, Wikipedia | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo ( Updated + + + + )

Posted on October 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

 

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This week’s mystery movie was the 1945 Monogram film “Allotment Wives” (catchy title, no?) starring Kay Francis, Paul Kelly and Otto Kruger. “Allotment Wives” was written by Harvey Gates and Sidney Sutherland, from a story by Sutherland. It was produced by Jeffrey Bernerd and Kay Francis and was her second film as a producer at Monogram. It was directed by William Nigh. (Bernerd has a tangential link to the Black Dahlia case, only because he was the stepfather of Donald Wolfe, author of the dreadful book “The Black Dahlia Files.”)

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: El Portal Theatre Entertains San Fernando Valley

Posted on October 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

El Portal
El Portal Theatre, courtesy of Mary Mallory.


For the first couple of decades of the twentieth century, construction of a grand, elaborately decorated motion picture theatre in a small town suggested either that the burg was developing rapidly into an economic powerhouse with money to burn, or that it hoped to grow into a larger and more sophisticated community by luring upscale individuals to patronize its businesses. The 1926 construction of the El Portal Theater in Lankershim demonstrates that the little farming community was on its way to becoming an economic driver for the San Fernando Valley.

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Posted in 1926, Architecture, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Black Dahlia: Don’t Dress Up Like This for Halloween

Posted on October 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

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It really is not cool to dress up like the victim of a brutal murder whose sisters are still alive. Michelle Trachtenberg, please note.


From Justjared.com

Posted in Black Dahlia, Cold Cases | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 14

Posted on October 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Georgette Bauerdorf

Georgette Bauerdorf in an undated photo, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

The life of a diligent researcher would be much easier if one of the Los Angeles newspapers had published details from the coroner’s inquest in the Georgette Bauerdorf case, particularly the transcript of the autopsy.

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

MACARTHUR IN PHILIPPINES, Oct. 20, 1944

Posted on October 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 20, 1944, MacArthur in Philippines

A moment in history from the Los Angeles Examiner.

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Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 13

Posted on October 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Georgette Bauerdorf, Undated Photo

Georgette Bauerdorf at the wheel of a Jeep at Camp Pendleton in an undated photo, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

The final hours of Georgette Bauerdorf’s life remain something of a mystery.

On Oct. 11, 1944, Georgette departed alone from the Hollywood Canteen between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. She apparently picked up a hitchhiking serviceman, Sgt. Gordon R. Aadland, at Sunset Boulevard a few blocks west of Vine Street between 11 p.m. and midnight, a location in the vicinity of the Hollywood Canteen, which was at 1451 N. Cahuenga Blvd. just south of Sunset Boulevard.

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 12

Posted on October 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

Hollywood Canteen

The Hollywood Canteen as portrayed in the 1944 film “Hollywood Canteen.” And being a movie, this is a set, not the actual canteen.

Hollywood Canteen snapshot

For comparison, here’s an undated snapshot of the actual canteen. Notice that there’s no awning and no portrait studio next door.

As a junior hostess at the Hollywood Canteen, Georgette Bauerdorf was scheduled once a week on Wednesday nights. On the night of Oct. 11, 1944, she was nervous and anxious, according to her friend June Ziegler, 20, 1851 Linda Rose Ave., Eagle Rock, who also volunteered as a hostess on Wednesdays.

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Antisocial Parking

Posted on October 21, 2014 by lmharnisch

well_behaved_women_parking_2014_1021_rotate_02

Well-behaved women seldom make history, but they also don’t take two parking spaces.

Posted in Photography | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder, Part 11

Posted on October 21, 2014 by lmharnisch

Georgette Bauerdorf, George Bauerdorf, Connie Bauerdorf
Georgette Bauerdorf, left, George F. Bauerdorf and Constance Ann “Connie” Bauerdorf Dillon in an undated photo, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Although Georgette Bauerdorf, 20, was living by herself in the apartment at El Palacio, 8493 Fountain Ave., in the weeks before she was killed, she was not entirely unsupervised. She had regular contact with her father’s secretary, Rose L. Gilbert, who lived at 6450 W. Olympic Blvd.

Georgette Bauerdorf, an Unsolved Murder:
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

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Architecture, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments