1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Sept. 25, 1944

Posted on September 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

image

Sept. 25, 1944

Claire Poe of Miami Beach, Fla., appears on the cover of Life’s special issue “A Letter to GIs,” because she is the kind of good-looking American girl that a lot of GIs know and would like to hear from. She is 18, a natural blonde, and has just entered Florida State College for Women as a freshman. She has been corresponding with a sergeant in Puerto Rico and an ensign at Fort Lauderdale, but has no steady boyfriends. She wants to become an arithmetic teacher.

Life assigns Andreas Feininger and Margaret Bourke-White to take photographs for its special issue “A Look at America.” Bourke-White took photographs from a TWA plane while Feininger remained on the ground.

The issue was intended for Americans serving overseas who could foresee the end of the war and were wondering what America would be like when they returned.  Life said: “You know the war will not be over until the last shots are fired in Germany and Japan. But your victories have brought the end in sight. You want to finish the job and come home.”

Before deregulation and the breakup of the phone company, there was only Bell Telephone. And it was very popular with the Greatest Generation, particularly between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Scanned by Google Books.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 35

Posted on September 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
The film of “Laura” makes heavy use of David Raksin’s now-famous theme song. The tune running through Vera Caspary’s novel is “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” from the musical “Roberta.” This copy of the sheet music is for sale on EBay for $6.95.

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 will break 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

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead

Continue reading →

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

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 25, 1944

Posted on September 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 25, 1944, Comics

Sept. 25, 1944

Walter Winchell says: Capt. J. Patterson (or his double), according to startled staffers, made visits to the Times publisher several times last week. What’s cookin? … Morton Downey and Molly Vanderbilt are the town’s most serious romance … Luise Rainer’s newest interest in life is V. Bendix, the industrialist… Allen Dulles,* brother of Dewey’s chief adviser, is back from Switzerland, where he was “stranded” for two years. He will talk off-the-record at the Council on Foreign relations … Several war correspondents are less optimistic than they were three weeks ago about the war ending this year.

Louella Parsons says: All the battles Sam Goldwyn had with Warner Bros. over obtaining the rights to “Those Endearing Charms” will come to naught. At the time he purchased the play it was taken to the Dramatists Guild for a settlement on the claim Sam had bought it before Warners did. Now he isn’t going to make it after all. He’s sold it, I understand, through his agent to RKO. Charles Koerner will star Laraine Day, whose contract he shares with MGM.

Danton Walker says: Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, far from being flattered by Geraldine Fitzgerald’s glamorous impersonation of herself in “Wilson,” has indicated her disapproval to Darryl Zanuck in no uncertain terms… Louis B. Mayer’s renewed interest in religious matters dates, they say, from his serious conversations with Archbishop Spellman in New York last spring.

LIBRA: Inactive star indications now. Let added vigor influence work and projects no little. Mark time where you should. Keep tuned to step into action on favorable wave.

*Allen Dulles was, of course, serving in the OSS and was later head of the CIA.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 25, 1944

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 34

Posted on September 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

"Laura"

The opening lines of Vera Caspary’s “Laura,” as narrated by newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker.

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 will break 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

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 34

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 24, 1944

Posted on September 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 24, 1944, Marlene Dietric

Sept. 24, 1944

Louella Parsons says:  Why is young Van Johnson the idol of the bobby sox brigade and at this moment crowding Frank Sinatra and Alan Ladd for top honors? Van isn’t handsome,he hasn’t a striking physique and he hasn’t Frankie’s ability to sing. Moreover, there are many other young men who are as capable of putting over emotional scenes. Yet Van is the hero of the bobby sox brigade and is receiving more mail than any actor or actress on the MGM lot.

Leading the bestseller list —  Fiction: “Green Dolphin Street,” “Leave Her to Heaven,” “History of Rome Hanks,” “Pastoral” and “Strange Fruit”
Non-fiction: “I Never Left Home,” “The Time for Decision,” “Yankee From Olympus,” “Anna and the King of Siam” and “Basic History of the United States.”

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 24, 1944

James Ellroy: ‘Perfidia’ Update

Posted on September 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

image

We’re waiting to buy a used copy for the Daily Mirror library, so I haven’t read James Ellroy’s “Perfidia,” but I thought it would be interesting to see how it’s doing.

“Perfidia” has yet to penetrate the New York Times or Los Angeles  Times bestseller lists, although as of today, the hardcover is ranked No. 738 by Amazon.  The Kindle version is ranked No. 727; the paperback is ranked 124,416; and the audio version narrated by Craig Wasson is unranked.

Amazon update:
Sept. 24, 2014: Hardcover, No. 758; Kindle, No. 1,010; Paperback, No. 156,898
Sept. 25, 2014: Hardcover, No. 738; Kindle, No. 1,035; Paperback, No. 162,356.
Sept. 26, 2014: Hardcover, No. 875; Kindle, No. 1,067; Paperback, No. 333,617.

Sept. 28, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,026; Kindle, No. 1,586; Paperback, No. 157,794.
Sept. 29, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,144; Kindle, No. 1,381; Paperback, No. 107,133.
Sept. 30, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,774; Kindle, No. 1,359; Paperback, No. 315,804.

Oct. 1, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,324; Kindle, No. 1,845; Paperback, No. 97,178
Oct. 2, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,442; Kindle, No. 1,594; Paperback, No. 54,573.

Oct. 4, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,400; Kindle, No. 1,785; Paperback, No. 328,055.

Oct. 6, 2014: Hardcover, No. 1,588; Kindle, No. 2,652; Paperback, No. 336,562.

Oct. 9, 2014: Hardcover, No. 2,228; Kindle, No. 3,601; Paperback, No. 253,055

Oct. 15, 2014: Hardcover, No. 2,503; Kindle, No. 3,563; Paperback, No. 752,617

Oct. 29, 2014: Hardcover, No. 3,401; Kindle, No. 4,311; Paperback, No. 166,592. I think Amazon may have cut the price on the hardback, at $17.71 more expensive than the paperback at $19.75. “Perfidia” has 69 reviews: five stars, 28; four stars 11; three stars 9; two stars, 9; and one star, 12.

 

Ellroy
Perfidia/HB
($17.53)

Connelly
Burning Room/HB ($14)

Ellroy
Perfidia/Kindle
($11.99)

 Connelly
Burning Room/Kindle ($14.99)
Nov. 2, 2014 2,440 17,332 5,110 11
Nov. 3, 2014 ($17.44)
4,121		 48 4,297 12
Nov. 4, 2014

($17.35)
5,511

($16.94)
16

 5,472 ($9.99)
7
Nov. 6, 2014 ($17.26)
4,426		 ($16.80)
19		 8,029 ($9.99)
5
Nov. 9, 2014 ($16.90)
5,351		 ($16.80)
29		 10,142 ($9.99)
6
Nov. 11, 2014 ($16.81)
4,201		 ($16.84)
39		 7,378
Nov. 15, 2014 ($16.63)
6,748		 ($16.80)
46		 11,335 4

 

Quote from a one-star review of “Perfidia”: The most wretched part of this book– and something I haven’t seen a single hipster reviewer mention — is just how badly Ellroy takes liberties with the history.

Quote from a one-star review of “Perfidia”: Trendy hipsters compare Ellroy’s sparse language with Hemingway, but it’s just BAD writing. There is always the weak claim that Ellroy does this to save time or space, but he repeats himself so often and in so many ways within the same book that it belies that argument.

Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, Books and Authors | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on James Ellroy: ‘Perfidia’ Update

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s Inaugural Autumn Fest Big Success

Posted on September 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

'Son of the Sheik"
Vilma Banky and Rudolph Valentino in “Son of the Sheik,” courtesy of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

Earning enthusiastic praise and reception from thrilled audiences, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s inaugural Autumn Fest Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, introduced newly restored prints, treasured classics and an intriguing compiled program on the giant screen at the glorious Art Deco Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The new event replaces the Festival’s Winter Fest, but continues the group’s mission of screening silent motion pictures highlighting the artistic nature of the medium, accompanied by talented accompanists who give voice to proceedings. Besides presenting silent films old and new, the Autumn Fest aims to educate veteran and new fans alike through informative PowerPoint slide shows featuring fascinating factoids and visually arresting images between screenings, as well as thoughtful program notes and excerpted articles from period trade journals.

Another Fine Mess: Silent Laurel and Hardy Shorts kicked off proceedings with the screening of three landmark Laurel and Hardy short films perfect for introducing young and new audiences alike to the wonder and joy of silent films. “Should Married Men Go Home?,” “Two Tars,” and “Big Business” present hilarious examples of misbehaving husbands, road rage and selling a Christmas tree, brought magically to life through the nimble fingers of accompanist Donald Sosin.

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

Continue reading →

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

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 33

Posted on September 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Clifton Webb "Laura"
Waldo Lydecker, played by Clifton Webb in the film version of “Laura.”  In the novel, Waldo is considerably taller and much heavier.

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 will break 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

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 33

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 23, 1944

Posted on September 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 23, 1944, Comics

Sept. 23, 1944

Dear Martha Foster: I’m not such an old-fashioned biddy as to believe that the standards of our Puritan forebears can be held up as a way of life in this hardboiled age, but it frightens me sometimes to see the cynical disregard for morals and discipline that marks the attitude of our young people today.

Dear Martha: Surely you can’t be talking about what we now call the Greatest Generation. Sincerely, Mr. Baby Boomer.

Louella Parsons says: I don’t wonder William Goetz is eager to get Loretta Young started before the cameras. She looks so wonderful since the birth of her baby, and so radiant. He has decided to co-star her with Gary Cooper in Gary’s first independent production, a western, tentatively titled “The American Cowboy.” It’s laid in 1885 and will give Loretta a chance to wear the costumes of that period.

VIRGO: Improved conditions exist. Check carefully before you move to avoid errors, then proceed with assurance. Think and act logically.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Horoscope | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

They Won't Believe Me
This week’s mystery movie was the 1947 film “They Won’t Believe Me,” starring Robert Young, Susan Hayward and Jane Greer. It was written by Jonathan Latimer, based on a story by Gordon McDonell, with cinematography by Harry J. Wild, music by Roy Webb, directed by Irving Pichel and produced by Joan Harrison.

 

Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 92 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Ernest Bachrach Defines RKO Glamour

Posted on September 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

Robert Ryan by Ernest Bachrach
Ernest Bachrach’s portrait of Robert Ryan is listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $94.95.


Hollywood’s motion picture still photography defined sophisticated style, shaped personas and created the iconic image of “a movie star” as we know it today. The photographers’ dramatic lighting, dynamic compositions, artful negative retouching and artistic eyes influenced the American public’s perceptions of celebrities and their personalities. Stars were defined as sexy, glamorous, thoughtful, foreboding, all through the scintillating camerawork of these often unsung and forgotten men.

While photographers such as George Hurrell, Ruth Harriet Louise, Clarence Sinclair Bull, Lazslo Willinger and Eugene Robert Richee came to be recognized for their style as well as their artistic sensibilities, RKO’s chief photographer, Ernest Bachrach, gained fame for taking quality portraits that fitted whatever style was requested by art directors or studio publicity chiefs. His discerning eye easily captured the personal essence of the stars he shot, the most important element of a first-rate photographic image. As John Kobal quotes him in his book, “The Art of the Great Hollywood Portrait Photographers,” “Portraiture is very closely akin to cinematography. The cinematographer has very little need for accessories in the making of close-ups; all he needs is a face and some lights and shadows. And that is all the portrait artist needs. Occasionally — but only occasionally — minor props are useful.”

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

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Allies 310 Miles From Berlin! Sept. 19, 1944

Posted on September 19, 2014 by lmharnisch

 

image

image

Sept. 19, 1944

 

At a Town Hall luncheon at the Biltmore, RAF Wing Cmdr. Christopher Currant tells the audience that what we now know as the V-2 rocket is the greatest argument against isolationism.

“It can be dropped on New York without any difficulty. It is merely a matter of fuel,” he says.

Currant also says that the morale of German fliers is extremely low and added: “Both American and British fliers were disappointed when during the invasion of France they found no air resistance. We had expected the greatest air battle of all times.”

Times reporter and columnist Gene Sherman files a first-person report from Palau and describes fierce fighting against the Japanese.

“The waves lap at a naked Marine whose body was burned yesterday in a shell explosion. He lies with his arms upraised. Another Marine kneels with bowed head in prayer at an ammunition box.”

Opening today: “Kismet” at the Egyptian, Fox Ritz and Los Angeles theaters.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Aviation, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Allies 310 Miles From Berlin! Sept. 19, 1944

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 19, 1944

Posted on September 19, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 19, 1944, Comics

Sept. 19, 1944

Walter Winchell says: FDR’s desk has four new miniatures of his sons in uniform. The Copacabana’s new revue starring Joe E. Lewis is the talk of the town. Before Pearl Harbor there were 3,000 Jap organizations in the U.S. The G-men have whittled them down to two.

Danton Walker says: The Pentagon Building personnel is in a dither over Gen. Lear’s determination to move out all officers and swivel chair strategists under the age of 45 who can be used in more active service…. Washington is hopped up over the persistent rumor that the Russians will join us in the war on Japan as soon as the Nazis are pushed off Russian territory.

Louella Parsons says: The much-sought after Academy Award winner, Jennifer Jones, who has had all the studios bidding for her, makes her next movie for Hal Wallis. Yes, indeed, over the weekend David Selznick read the script by Ayn Rand, liked it, and told Hal that Jennifer was free to start any time. So apparently the trouble with 20th is all settled…. I was interested to hear that Ayn Rand, author of “Fountainhead,” had prepared the script. Wonder what happened to “Fountainhead” if it is to be filmed?

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 19, 1944

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 32

Posted on September 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

laura_cover

 

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 locations Caspary used in the book and an examination of the major and minor characters.

The next series of posts will break 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

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 32

1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Sept. 18, 1944

Posted on September 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 18, 1944, Thomas E. Dewey

Sept. 18, 1944

After spending Labor Day in Pawling, Republican nominee Thomas E. Dewey drove to New York for conferences with John Foster Dulles, his adviser on foreign affairs, and Herbert Brownell, Republican National Committee chairman. The next day, on an 11-car special train, accompanied by 65 reporters, he started on his 6,700-mile campaign trip to the Pacific coast. In Philadelphia, he delivered his opening campaign speech.

Ever wonder what would happen of Salvador Dali was a commercial artist?

Life features Ed Wynn’s whimsical “inventions.”

And after the war, get ready for television.

Scanned by Google Books.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Television, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Sept. 18, 1944

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 18, 1944

Posted on September 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 18, 1944, Comics
Sept. 18, 1944

Walter Winchell and Danton Walker refer to the Aug. 5 fight between Jon Hall and Tommy Dorsey in the so-called Battle of the Balcony at Dorsey’s apartment on the Sunset Strip.

Walter Winchell says: Norma Shearer is trying to mend the L.B. Mayers’ split. Jack Marshall suggests a new theme song for slugger Tommy Dorsey: “Would You Like to Swing on a Star?”

Danton Walker says: The Xavier Cugat divorce papers were filed a month ago and the story leaked out only accidentally.

The Crown Prince of Nigeria has arranged with Barney Josephson, owner of the two Cafe Society nightclubs (Uptown and Downtown), to have prominent Negro talent visit his country after the war.

This week, Universal Pictures sent out beautiful invitations for the premiere of “San Diego, I Love You,” the covers of which bore pictures of Jon Hall fighting over a beautiful gal.

Louella Parsons says: I felt sure it would be only a question of time before the story of Mother Cabrini, who devoted her life to underprivileged children, would reach the screen.

VIRGO: Profits, returns from investments, collections no prominent but tasks will done will bring just reward in due time. Be guided by importance and urgency of duties.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Horoscope | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 18, 1944

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 31

Posted on September 17, 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 previous 30 posts have been 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 locations Caspary used in the book and examinations of the major and minor characters.

The all too obvious question in this exercise is “Why study ‘Laura?’ ” or more precisely “Why not ‘Double Indemnity?’ ” Both movies were released in 1944 and of the two, “Double Indemnity” is a better book – though still somewhat problematic – and the film is much darker and has more of a claim to film noir. James M. Cain, the author of “Double Indemnity,” was a far more skilled novelist than Caspary and the screenplay was adapted by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler, in contrast to the teams of writers brought in to beat the “Laura” script into shape.

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

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 31

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 17, 1944

Posted on September 17, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 17, 1944, Bloomer Girl

Sept. 17, 1944

Bestsellers: “Green Dolphin Street,” “Leave Her to Heaven,” “History of Rome Hanks,” “Strange Fruit,” “I Never Left Home,” “The Time for Decision,” “Yankee From Olympus,” “Anna and the King of Siam” and “Invasion!”

Louella Parsons says: All her life Vivian Blaine will be grateful to Victoria Elizabeth James and Phyllis Faye Harris for starring parts, for if these young ladies hadn’t elected to be born Vivian would still be just one of the bevy of pretty girls on the 20th lot.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 17, 1944

‘Laura’ — The Making of a Film Noir Classic, Part 30

Posted on September 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

alexander_woollcott_Advertisement_Pullman_crop

New York critic, columnist and radio pundit Alexander Woollcott makes an endorsement for Pullman in 1940. Courtesy of the Illinois Digital Archives. In Vera Caspary’s novel “Laura,” New York columnist Waldo Lydecker endorses the Byron pen, renamed the “Wallace Flow-Rite pen” for the film.

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. Previous posts have examined the writing career of “Laura” novelist Vera Caspary and the state of the detective story in 1941, when she was writing the novel. We also explored some of the locations Caspary used in the book.

At long last, after examining each of the characters in the novel, we’re going to look at Caspary’s portrayal of Waldo Lydecker (played by Clifton Webb in the film), the most important person in the novel and in the film, even though both are titled “Laura.”

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 

James Ellroy to script remake of ‘Laura’

Spoilers ahead

 

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Sept. 16, 1944

Posted on September 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

Sept. 16, 1944, Comics

Sept. 16, 1944

Danton Walker says: Frank Sinatra’s father has just been made chief of the Fire Department of Hoboken, N.J., in case you care.

Louella Parsons says: A scout in New York telegraphed that Sidney Kingsley, the playwright, has just signed a $100,000 deal with MGM to write an original. Kingsley is just out of the Army on a medical discharge and the Hollywood deal will be the first thing he has done since he donned uniform. With such plays as “Dead End,” “Men in White” and “The Patriots,” which were hits on Broadway, naturally he was in immediate demand.

Lucille Ball has gone to Las Vegas, but not for a hurried divorce as reported. She’ll get her freedom right here … The love scene Charlie Chaplin and Oona O’Neill put on at the Vine Street Derby had many fascinated onlookers … Greta Garbo, lunching at a Sunset Boulevard restaurant with Haylord Hauser, was absolutely unrecognized. She wore last year’s straw hat and a raincoat … Cheryl Crane paid her mother, Lana Turner, a visit on the set and for the first time Lana had to take a back seat. Her daughter stole the thunder.

VIRGO: Keen intuition and ingeniousness — both inborn in Virgo — can lead you successfully. In familiar matters, work, other activities for which you are trained you can especially advance.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments