Black Dahlia and the Cecil Hotel — Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on January 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

KABC

I don’t know how this nonsense gets started. There is nothing to show that Elizabeth Short ever set foot in the Cecil Hotel, as claimed by KABC-TV Channel 7.

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Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Oviatt Tie

Posted on January 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oviatt Tie

Leave it to Marc Chevalier to come up with this. Marc took the image of one of the glass panels from the Oviatt Building and turned it into a custom necktie, via Zazzle. The tie is $29.95. You can even create your own design.

Posted in Architecture, Fashion, Hollywood | Tagged , | 2 Comments

1944 on the Radio — ‘Nick Carter, Master Detective,’ January 29, 1944

Posted on January 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Jan. 29, 1944

It’s Saturday in 1944 and today we have

— “The Unwilling Accomplice” on “Nick Carter, Master Detective.” Courtesy of Archive.org

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Sinatra Makes Film Debut, Jan. 29, 1944

Posted on January 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

Jan. 29, 1944, Comics

Jan. 29, 1944, Negro Airmen
Jan. 29, 1944: The Times reports Frank Sinatra’s film debut in “Higher and Higher”:

A generous quota of young girls attended the first showings and their ecstatic whinnyings recorded each and every appearance of their hero. In one house, at least, these childish squeals caused annoyance at first and gales of laughter as they continued.

The Rev. Namon Hartson and the Rev. John Ginter of the Pentecostal Church of God of America, 5901 Compton Ave., plead not guilty to allegations by their war-working neighbors that their late-night services make too much noise.

Fliers of the African American 99th Fighter Squadron are credited with shooting down eight Nazi planes.

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Posted in 1944, African Americans, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Music, Religion, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Pete Seeger Song Bag

Posted on January 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

Here’s a few Pete Seeger songs I pulled together in his memory.

“Frankie and Johnny” sung by Pete Seeger. Courtesy of Archive.org.

“John Henry” with Big Bill Broonzy and Pete Seeger. Courtesy of Archive.org.

“Pete Seeger Marathon” from 1969. Courtesy of Archive.org

“You Can’t Make a Living in a Cotton Mill.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

Posted in Music, Obituaries | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Rediscovering Los Angeles — The Melrose

Posted on January 28, 2014 by lmharnisch

March 9, 1936, Rediscovering Los Angeles

March 9, 1936: Times artist Charles Owens and columnist Timothy Turner visit the Melrose tourist hotel on Grand between 1st and 2nd streets, which was connected to the old Rowan mansion. Turner paints wonderful portraits of life in Los Angeles in the 1890s. “It still has the old furniture in its lobbies, some ornately carved Chinese pieces and rocking chairs galore for it was the age of ‘the rocker.’ “

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Posted in 1936, Art & Artists, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Concrete Ideas on Architecture in Pasadena

Posted on January 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

Los Robles, Pasadena

After watching a crew build the forms and a couple of cement trucks pouring the concrete, I finally saw the completed concrete house at 747 S. Los Robles Ave. in Pasadena. Unfortunately, it’s not clear who designed the house.

IMG_20140122_122214

And here’s a closer view.

The home is listed at $2.5 million, according to Zillow.

Posted in 2013, Architecture, Pasadena | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

Posted on January 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

Jan.27, 2014, mystery Photo

And for Monday, we have a mystery gent.

Update: One of the many things that is notable about Akira Kurosawa’s “I Live in Fear” (1955) is how much the actors disappear into their characters. Burt Lancaster, for all his talent, is always Burt Lancaster. But as Michael Ryerson pointed out, Toshiro Mifune is barely recognizable as the paranoid industrialist Kiichi Nakajima, who wants to uproot his family (and his mistresses and their children — ahem) and move them to Brazil because he’s afraid of another atomic attack.

The same is true for Takashi Shimura, better known as the leader of the “Seven Samurai.” In “I Live in Fear,” he plays a rather meek, humble dentist who is a mediator in family disputes.

Monday’s mystery gent, Toranosuke Ogawa, also appears in “Seven Samurai,” but in a small role. Likewise, Thursday’s mystery fellow, Minoru Chiaki, appeared in many Kurosawa films, including “Stray Dog,” Rashomon” and “Throne of Blood.”

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Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — The Gibbons-Del Rio House: Like Stepping Into a Dream

Posted on January 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

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The Cedric Gibbons home, via Google Street View.


Celebrity has often been the cachet for creating style, fashion and cultural trends, especially with the advent of films. Stars wearing a particular designer’s couture, driving a certain car, or a female star wearing pants, started tongues wagging and led average citizens to try to copy their style. Movies themselves fashioned popular trends in music, style and even architecture.

The gorgeous jewel box of a home belonging to 11-time Academy Award-winner MGM art director Cedric Gibbons and his wife, actress Dolores Del Rio, epitomizes Hollywood glamour, and still stands as one of the outstanding examples of home as art in Hollywood. All sleek lines and geometric patterns, it stands as a Streamline-Moderne masterpiece, the perfect representation of one of Gibbons’ MGM luxurious set designs come to life.

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

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Posted in 1931, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Flo Ash — The ‘Cutest Little Nudist’ — Gets a Divorce

Posted on January 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

Jan. 26, 1944, Flo Ash

Jan. 26, 1944: “Flo Ash” is one of my favorite names from 1940s Los Angeles.  In 1940, she sued the Florentine Gardens and producer Nils T. Granlund over use of the nickname “Cutest Little Nudist.”

Posted in 1944, Black Dahlia, Crime and Courts, Hollywood, Nightclubs, World War II | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

1944 on the Radio — ‘Orson Welles’ Almanac,’ Jan. 26, 1944

Posted on January 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Jan. 26, 1944

It’s Wednesday in 1944 and today we have:

— “The Adventures of Mr. and Mrs. North,” sponsored by Woodbury’s Facial Soap, for “the skin you love to touch.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

— Groucho Marx on the first program of “Orson Welles’ Almanac,” sponsored by Mobil Gas and Oil.  Listen to Welles deliver the horoscope! Courtesy of Archive.org.

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World War II on the Radio — Fighting at Anzio, Jan. 26, 1944

Posted on January 26, 2014 by lmharnisch

Jan. 24, 1944, Anzio

Jan. 26, 1944: A brief BBC excerpt, courtesy of Archive.org.

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1944 on the Radio — ‘Fibber McGee and Molly’ and ‘Duffy’s Tavern,’ Jan. 25, 1944

Posted on January 25, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Jan. 25, 1944

It’s Tuesday in 1944 and today we have:

— “The Adventures of the Sea Hound” with Capt. Silver and Jerry. Seems that everybody knows the “secret death hold.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

— “Dining Out to Celebrate” on “Fibber McGee and Molly.” This show marks the appearance of Beulah. Be sure to use Johnson’s wax on your snow shovels! Courtesy of Archive.org.

— Deems Taylor (who was on “Information Please yesterday) is the guest on “Duffy’s Tavern.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

— “Elizabeth of Austria” on Romance, from WABC New York. Courtesy of Archive.org.

— “Vic and Sade,” brought to you by Crisco. Courtesy of Archive.org.

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Jan. 24, 1944

Posted on January 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Jan. 24, 1944, Life Magazine

Jan. 24, 1944: Margaret Sullavan gets the cover photo this week. Inside is Margaret Bourke-White’s feature on the rehabilitation of Naples and the movie is “Destination Tokyo.” Courtesy of Google.

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1944 on the Radio — ‘Casablanca’ on ‘Lux Radio Theater,’ Jan. 24, 1944

Posted on January 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944
January 24, 1944

It’s Monday in 1944 and today we have:

—“Information Please,” hosted by Clifton Fadiman, with John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, Elizabeth Janeway — author of the bestseller “The Walsh Girls” — and music critic Deems Taylor. I invite the Brain Trust to try these questions. They can be tough! Courtesy of Archive.org

—“Casablanca,” starring Alan Ladd as Rick and Hedy Lamarr, on “Lux Radio Theatre.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

—“Stolen Patrol Car” on “Hop Harrigan.” Courtesy of Archive.org.

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Radio | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Reader Survey — Part 4

Posted on January 24, 2014 by lmharnisch

Final Thoughts

These were the most popular words in the final comments of the reader survey.

 

OK, here are some final comments and responses:

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Posted in Film, History, Hollywood | Tagged , , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Reader Survey — Part 4

How to Run Musicmatch Jukebox on Windows 8

Posted on January 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

Musicmatch Jukebox

I can’t be the only one who is frustrated that Musicmatch Jukebox won’t run on Windows 8. At least version 10 won’t run. But As you can see, Version 7.1 will install if you run the installation program in Windows 98 compatibility mode and run MMJB in Windows XP mode. Musicmatch launched just as Windows 8 was telling me that it wouldn’t run. Ha!

You may be asking yourself: “Gosh, Larry, where can I get Musicmatch Jukebox 7.1? It’s from 2002!!” I happened to have a copy because I’m a pack rat. But alas, Musicmatch Jukebox is long discontinued, so getting a copy now might be problematic. If you Google it, you may be able to find a version. Good luck!

And why would I want to run this ancient software? Because, among other things, it includes a first-rate digital recorder.

Next I’ll be hunting a CP/M emulator so I can run WordStar. (Just kidding).

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 8 Comments

1944 on the Radio — ‘The Great Gildersleeve’ and ‘The Jack Benny Show,’ Jan. 23, 1944

Posted on January 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Jan. 23, 1944

It’s Sunday in 1944 and today we have:

— Harold Peary stars in “Does Leroy Need a Mother?” another episode of “The Great Gildersleeve.” Courtesy of Archive.org
— Jack Benny performs at the Army airfield at Muroc, Calif., on the “Jack Benny Show.” “Shoo-Shoo, Baby” makes its third appearance, this time it’s sung by Rochester. Courtesy of Archive.org

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L.A. Daily Mirror Reader Survey — Part 3

Posted on January 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

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And here’s where we try to get a handle on where to focus for 2014:

The top interest among Daily Mirror readers is film, followed by famous crimes (unsolved and solved), then preservation, architecture, television, LAPD/law enforcement, other, theater and fashion.

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Posted in Film, History, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

1944 on Radio — ‘Command Performance,’ Jan. 22, 1944

Posted on January 22, 2014 by lmharnisch

radio_dial_1944

Jan. 22, 1944

It’s Saturday in 1944 and today we have:

— Bob Hope, Benny Goodman and Deanna Durbin appear in “Command Performance,” an Armed Forces Services Radio program. The program is dated January, but there are lots of jokes about Valentine’s Day. Hm. Courtesy of Archive.org.

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