1944 in Print — ‘Hollywood Gossip by Louella Parsons,’ March 1, 1944

Posted on March 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

"None Shall Escape"
Now showing: “None Shall Escape.”

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March 1, 1944

Note: I’ve been having so much fun running Walter Winchell that I thought I would add Louella Parsons to the mix.

The biggest movie news I’ve heard in weeks comes direct from the horse’s mouth in New York, so to speak. Billy Rose has sold Twentieth Century-Fox the rights to “Carmen Jones” and the price is sensational.

Lena Horne, I am told, will have the role of Carmen in the movie. She is far prettier than Muriel Smith, whom I saw in the New York stage show, but of course she hasn’t the operatic voice of the Smith girl.

Snapshots of Hollywood Collected at Random: Helen Mueller, the model who nearly married Mickey Rooney, becomes the bride of Bill Geyer, former star football player and now in the Navy March 15. Benita and Ronnie Colman were at Joan Bennett’s party and Benita said the baby is expected in July.

From the Milwaukee Sentinel.

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ March 1, 1944

Posted on March 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

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March 1, 1944

Man About Town

Norma Shearer is expected to resume her screen career in the role of Katy (the mother) in “Tree Grows in Brooklyn” … Franz Werfel, author of “Song of Bernadette” (after two heart attacks), is able to leave his bed for two hours daily … Maureen O’Hara and her groom expect another image in June.

Ironical Twist: Myrna Kennedy, onetime flame of Charles Chaplin (she appeared in “The Gold Rush” with him), is an employee in the Los Angeles offices of the FBI.*  The reason Albert Leonard George’s haberdashery in Rockefeller Center hasn’t any cashmere vests is that Garbo bought them.

*Winchell has it wrong, alas. She was in “The Circus.”

From the St. Petersburg Times.

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ Feb. 29, 1944

Posted on March 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Feb. 29, 1944

As you may have noticed from all the gags on the radio shows, 1944 was a leap year — unlike 2014. Here’s the extra Walter Winchell column.

Notes of an Innocent Bystander

The First Nights: In the cinema places “Lady in the Dark” (patterned from the stage hit of the same title) is still a good show, this time with Ginger Rogers playing the role created by Gertrude Lawrence. The film is marked by tons of splendor … Ray Milland (who haunts Miss Rogers’ dreams in the above film) also stars in “The Uninvited.” This is a chiller that yells with both lungs — nothing namby-pamby about its spookiness. You’re glad when the lights come on.

The Intelligentsia: Newsweek’s Raymond Moley has 100,000 words in his book, “The Hays Office,” which Bobbs-Merrill will publish. Mr. Moley has taken several years to do it.

From the St. Petersburg Times.

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Feb. 28, 1944

Posted on February 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

Feb. 28, 1944, Life Magazine

Feb. 28, 1944: Ella Raines, star of “Phantom Lady,”  gets the cover photo. Life looks at the emerging race for the Republican candidate to challenge Franklin Roosevelt for a fourth term in the 1944 presidential election, with Thomas E. Dewey and Wendell Willkie seemingly the leading contenders.  Courtesy of Google.

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1944 on the Radio — ‘Guadalcanal Diary,’ Feb. 28, 1944

Posted on February 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Feb. 28, 1944

It’s Monday in 1944 and today we have:

— Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan and William Bendix appear in “Guadalcanal Diary” on “Lux Radio Theatre.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ Feb. 28, 1944

Posted on February 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

Feb. 28, 1944, Walter Winchell

Feb. 28, 1944

Man With a Press Pass in His Hat

At about 8:30 the other Monday night (during a heavy rainstorm) a packed Amsterdam Avenue trolley stopped at 128th Street. The conductor got out — went to a bar and grill — ordered two sandwiches and a beer — while the passengers waited 20 minutes…. The newsreel theater in Grand Central Station. It features a clock to the right of the screen … The clock is set two minutes fast — so spectators won’t miss trains.

Broadway Story: His name is Harvey Grant and those who have enjoyed his thrushing believe he is another Sinatra … A radio columnist, for example … He heard the newcomer and went mad about his style of crooning … You probably read about him in his colyum last week … He used all the superlatives in the dictionary … But the boy’s first writeup was no joy for him … The colyumist had been misinformed on the name … He kept calling him Harvey James — instead of Harvey Grant … Now for the rest of his life — he’ll use the James handle — so his kin and his friends will believe the writeup was for him.

Drew Pearson (whose sizzlers on some senators were not syndicated by his employers) is considering forming his own syndicate!

From the St. Petersburg Times.

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1944 on the Radio — Jack Benny at the Hollywood Canteen

Posted on February 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944 Feb. 27, 1944

It’s Sunday in 1944 and today we have:

— “The Jack Benny Show” visits the Hollywood Canteen. Courtesy of Archive.org.

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Bree Walker and Jim Lampley, February 1989

Posted on February 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

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We went into the Daily Mirror archives this evening and found a KCBS-TV Channel 2 broadcast from February 1989. In case you were wondering what all the fuss was about with the mug shot from her recent arrest.

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Jim Lampley and Bree Walker, KCBS-TV Channel 2 in February 1989.

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1944 on the Radio — Jack Benny and Groucho Marx, February 26, 1944

Posted on February 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

February 26, 1944

It’s Saturday in 1944 and today we have:

— Jack Benny is Groucho Marx’s guest on “Blue Ribbon Town.” Courtesy of Otrrlibrary.org.

— “The Clue in the Clouds” on “Casey, Press Photographer.” It’s a helicopter! Courtesy of Archive.org.

— Tonight’s episode is “Dead Witnesses.” It’s another case for “Nick Carter, Master Detective!” Courtesy of Otrrlibrary.org

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ Feb. 26, 1944

Posted on February 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

Fb. 26, 1944, Walter Winchell

Feb. 26, 1944

To a Titian-Haired Bride

On Monday, Rep Rankin inserted into the Congressional Record his daily diatribe against this columnist… Rep. Adolph Sabath (Ill.) made reply to the honorable gentleman from Mississippi as follows in part:

”A few days ago the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Rankin) assailed Walter Winchell … and charged that he was causing a tremendous amount of harm … I do not know Winchell personally, but I do hear him at times and I have not heard him say anything that could be construed as unpatriotic but, on the contrary, he has always counseled patriotism and devotion to American ideals and, in that connection, has called attention to many persons who have been indicted and convicted of making subversive and seditious statements and for unlawful activities… Unfortunately, several weeks ago, he used the expression ‘House of Reprehensibles,’ which I regret, but it was intended in a facetious vein and and undoubtedly he had reference to those few members who have been continuously vilifying him….

From the St. Petersburg Times.

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History in Pictures and ‘Greta Garbo’ — Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on February 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

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I don’t follow History in Pictures on Twitter, but many of my friends do and there were groans and complaints when this photo was posted Saturday, identifying the woman as Greta Garbo.

Let’s take a closer look:

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1944 on the Radio — Kay Kyser on ‘Amos ‘N’ Andy,’ Feb. 25, 1944

Posted on February 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Feb. 25, 1944

It’s Friday in 1944 and today we have:

— Kay Kyser and the writers of “Sunday, Monday or Always” on “Amos ‘N’ Andy.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

— “The Rainmaker” on “The Lone Ranger.” Courtesy of Otrrlibrary.org.

— “The History of Plant No. 14” in 3,000 words on “Vic and Sade.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ Feb. 25, 1944

Posted on February 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

Feb. 25, 1944, Walter Winchell

Feb. 25, 1944

Dear. Mr. President

This is more than an accusation against Franco the Fascist. It is a bill of particulars for the Senate and House foreign relations committee. It screams for investigation … Right now an American ambassador sits with a dictator and a war criminal — whom the ambassador has proclaimed as the savior of his country … in the dictator’s jails languish 200,000 people, whose sole crime is that they believe in democracy … The American ambassador is Carlton J.H. Hayes, and his crony, the German agent Hayes has proclaimed as the savior of his country and the builder of its future, is dictator Franco.

From the St. Petersburg Times.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Yes, this week’s mystery movie was “Crash Dive” with Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter and Dana Andrews.

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1944 on the Radio — Dinah Shore and Phil Silvers, Feb. 24, 1944

Posted on February 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Feb. 24, 1944

It’s Thursday in 1944 and today we have:

— “The Dinah Shore Program.” Courtesy of Otrrlibrary.org

— Phil Silvers is the guest on “The Kraft Music Hall” with Bing Crosby. Courtesy of Otrrlibrary.org.

— “Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons.” Courtesy of Otrrlibrary.org.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Committee for the First Amendment Defends Free Speech

Posted on February 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Herbert Biberman
Herbert Biberman, one of the Hollywood 10, courtesy of Mary Mallory.


In times of social uncertainty and economic malaise, those in fear often turn to discriminating, finger pointing, blame and stonewalling, claiming “the other” is destroying livelihoods, ways of life, and social beliefs just by speaking out. These “others” become the scapegoats for all that is wrong: drought, job insecurity, national security concerns, discrimination, etc.

After the conclusion of World War II, when the Allies defeated the Nazis, Japanese and Axis, thus bringing to an end annihilation, genocide, starvation and imprisonment to so many, everything seemed to turn for a short time to hope, peace, freedom, welcome and acceptance. Unfortunately, demagogues quickly saw the bogeyman again with the Soviets’ takeover of Eastern Europe, which the Allies had allowed in order for a quicker end to World War II. Anyone questioning the role of government, demanding free speech and asking for social justice, was suddenly judged a turncoat, evildoer, overthrower. Many in the United States government would soon ape the policies of totalitarian countries they claimed to abhor by scapegoating those deemed “different,” blocking free speech, destroying lives and careers.

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

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ Feb. 24, 1944

Posted on February 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Feb. 24, 1944, Walter Winchell on Broadway

Feb. 24, 1944

Portrait of a Man Reading the Newspaper

An editorial attacking the presence at Tehran of Pvt. Robert Hopkins, son of Harry Hopkins, said: “If the fathers of all the other Army privates followed Harry’s example, everybody except the Japs and Nazis would have to quit and go home. If Harry Hopkins, in his travels, had come across his boy in the sun-drenched Iranian countryside, hanging on to an Army rifle, he and a lot more Americans could have been proud. Such things, however, do not happen in Mr. Roosevelt’s official family.”

“Washington, Feb. 12, U.P.: The White House tonight confirmed reports that Stephen T. Hopkins, 18, son of Harry Hopkins, personal aide to President Roosevelt, has been killed in action in the South Pacific.”

From the St. Petersburg Times.

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1944 on the Radio — ‘Orson Welles’ Radio Almanac,’ Feb. 23, 1944

Posted on February 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Feb. 23, 1944

It’s Wednesday in 1944 and today we have:

— “The Lone Ranger.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

— It’s Ash Wednesday in 1944, according to “Orson Welles’ Radio Almanac.” With guest Hedda Hopper and gags about bobby-soxers! Courtesy of Archive.org.

— Donald Dame, a tenor with the Metropolitan Opera, is the guest on “To Your Good Health” from the House of Squibb. Courtesy of Archive.org.

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1944 in Print — ‘Walter Winchell on Broadway,’ Feb. 23, 1944

Posted on February 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Feb. 23, 1944, Walter Winchell

Feb. 23, 1944

This is curious. The end of Winchell’s column disappears in mid-sentence from the Palm Beach paper, just as he is about to refer to a situation in Palm Beach. And take more potshots at Congress.

Man About Town

Screen names have been warned for the last time by the Hays office to clean out the skeletons from their closets … The district attorney is ready to crack down on a renowned bandleader … The Betty Grable pinup photo is the most widely circulated bathing picture since September Morn … Lubitsch wants Gene Tierney for his film of the exciting novel “Dragonwyck” … Rose Franken says she won’t write plays until the first-string critics return.

From the Palm Beach Daily News and St. Petersburg Times.

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1944 on the Radio — Cecil B. DeMille on ‘Burns and Allen’

Posted on February 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

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Feb. 22, 1944

It’s Tuesday in 1944 and today we have:

— Cecil B. DeMille is the guest on “Burns and Allen.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

—Phil Baker, the host of “The $64 Question,” is the guest on “Duffy’s Tavern.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

— An old “friend” visits on “Fibber McGree and Molly.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

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