LAPD in Standoff With Mad Gunman

Posted on March 19, 2013 by lmharnisch

900 block of South Francisco Street
The 900 block of South Francisco Street via Google Street View.

March 13, 1913, Standoff

March 19, 1913: F.C. Fredericks presents the LAPD with a difficult situation in the days before tear gas and swat teams (or indeed before negotiations by telephone).

Fredericks was a carpenter who had come to Los Angeles from Topeka, Kans., three weeks before with his brother W.R. Fredericks of Hollywood. F.C. was unable to work, The Times says, because of stomach trouble, and was living in a second-floor room of a house at 922. S. Francisco. St.
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Posted in 1913, Downtown, LAPD | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated +++)

Posted on March 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 18, 2013, Mystery Photo

And here is Monday’s mystery guest.

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Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Earl Carroll’s Swanky Sunset Boulevard Theater

Posted on March 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

earl_carroll_fields

Photo: Earl Carroll at the groundbreaking for his nightclub, with Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and W.C. Fields. Courtesy of James Curtis.

In the late 1930s, Earl Carroll reigned as Broadway’s exotic showman, producing splashy musical revues featuring statuesque, sultry showgirls. There was only one place left to conquer: Hollywood, the mecca of entertainment. If he was going to shift operations to the West Coast, Carroll wanted to knock Hollywood’s socks off with an elegantly flamboyant nightclub restaurant.

Carroll hired renowned architect Gordon Kaufmann, designer of such beautiful and diverse structures as the Los Angeles Times Building, the Santa Anita Race Track, Hoover Dam and the Doheny Mansion, to create a stylish Art Deco building at 6230 Sunset Blvd. Per an Oct. 16, 1938, Los Angeles Times story, the $500,000 project would be the first to include dining, dancing and stage shows under one roof.

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Posted in 1938, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Earl Carroll’s Nightclub

Posted on March 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

earl_carroll_ebay
Movie stars’ signatures in concrete on the exterior of Earl Carroll’s nightclub.

earl_carroll_cary_grant01

I am occasionally asked what became of the concrete tablets with movie stars’ names that were installed on the old Earl Carroll nightclub. Some of The Times stories say they were saved in hopes of reinstalling them. This one appears to have gotten away.

A vendor on EBay is listing a concrete tablet inscribed – presumably by Cary Grant – that was hung on the wall of Carroll’s nightclub. Bidding on this item starts at $5,000.

Speaking of Earl Carroll, Mary Mallory will be writing about him in Monday’s Hollywood Heights, so be sure to come back then!

Posted in Film, Found on EBay, History, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: George Hodel Murder HQ Soil Tests Overdue – Week 5

Posted on March 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

And in case you have forgotten….

Let me remind you that Christine Pelisek wrote in the Daily Beast on Feb. 3, 2013, that test results on soil taken from the Sowden House (George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported murder HQ) would be “expected next week.”

It is now March 15 and there has been no announcement of the results. I have to figure either nothing was found, or the crime lab works very, very slowly.

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 37

Posted on March 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0326_page01

March 27, 1950: All quiet. Good nite.

And with that, the LAPD and the district attorney’s office ended their surveillance of the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. At least a few of you have read every tedious, boring word of these transcripts. What do you think?

Now that the documents are public, maybe someone can do a “dramatic” reading. How about Kevin Spacey as Dr. Hodel?

The George Hodel files 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 | Part 36

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 36

Posted on March 14, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0325_page01

Sounded like Hodel said something about Black Dahlia!!!!

March 25, 1950: Hodel says he wants money and power — talking about China — talking about selling some of Hodel’s paintings or something. Hodel talking about picture police have of him and some girl — thought he had destroyed them all!!!!!!!

And for those keeping track, I miscounted the final number of pages. We will finish Saturday.

The George Hodel files 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

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Coming Attractions: Denise Hamilton

Posted on March 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

last_embrace
Author and former Times reporter Denise Hamilton will be speaking about her book “The Last Embrace,” on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Heritage Museum, 2100 N. Highland Ave. Hamilton will also talk about Los Angeles’ influence on her writing. The event is free.

Posted in Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Coming Attractions, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Coming Attractions: Denise Hamilton

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 35

Posted on March 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0324_page01

March 24, 1950: Another day of typing, peeing and ringing phones at the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel.

Only four days left!

The George Hodel files 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

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Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 35

Folsom Prison Break 1893 – Found on EBay

Posted on March 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

folsom_prison_breakout_02

image

A photo showing the guns and individuals involved in an unsuccessful escape attempt at Folsom prison in June 1893 has been listed on EBay. The photo is listed as Buy It Now for $699. As with anything on EBay, an item and vendor should be evaluated thoroughly before submitting a bid.

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Posted in 1893, Crime and Courts, Found on EBay, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 34

Posted on March 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0323_page01

March 23, 1950: No, the police did not suddenly and inexplicably abandon the investigation. They ran away before they died of boredom.

The George Hodel files 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

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 34

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated +++)

Posted on March 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 11, 2013, Mystery Photo

Here’s our mystery fellow for Monday.

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Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 31 Comments

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 33

Posted on March 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0322_page01
Conversation has now turned to corporations, stocks and bonds with Hodel doing very little talking!!!!!!!

March 22, 1950: Even the police are bored. The good news is that we’re almost done. Only six more days!

The George Hodel files 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

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 33

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Donald Biddle Keyes, Cameraman

Posted on March 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

D. B. Keyes

Most motion picture still photographers picked up cameras at young ages, intrigued at how they could paint with light. Many yearned to do more than just snap shots in a portrait studio or for a newspaper. They hankered for excitement, exploration, eclecticism, all of which they found working for movie studios.

In the early days, cinematographers also shot production stills for films. By the 1920s, the division of labor between stills photography and cinematography was established, keeping practitioners of one from performing the other on the same production.

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

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 32

Posted on March 10, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0320_page02
Hodel must have slept in another part of house. There were no snoring noises all morning!!!!

Said I’m in trouble!!!!!!!

March 21, 1950: Another day of tedium.

The George Hodel files 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

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Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 32

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 31

Posted on March 9, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0320_page01

Sounds like Hodel is trying to pull a fast one of some kind!!!!!

Still playing Chinese music — music worse than Hodel’s music!!!

March 20, 1950: Discussions of books and poetry!! Going to see Burrel Ives (Burl Ives) at UCLA!!!

The George Hodel files 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

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

C.C. Pierce – Glass Lantern Slide

Posted on March 8, 2013 by lmharnisch

cc_pierce_chinese

This is a first. A vendor on EBay has listed a glass slide bearing the name of C.C. Pierce. Pierce was a prolific photographer who ran a large archive in Los Angeles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I have seen many prints, but never a glass slide. It’s possible that Pierce merely sold the slide because he was a dealer in photos, but that is only speculation.

Bidding on this item starts at $99.

Posted in Found on EBay, Photography | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: George Hodel Murder HQ Soil Tests Overdue – Week 4

Posted on March 8, 2013 by lmharnisch

I guess everybody has forgotten about this except for me.

Let me remind you that Christine Pelisek wrote in the Daily Beast on Feb. 3, 2013, that test results on soil taken from the Sowden House (George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported murder HQ) would be “expected next week.”

It is now March 8 and there has been no announcement of the results. I doubt there ever will be.

In the meantime the Sowden House is back on the market at Sotheby’s. Price upon request.

Posted in 1947, 1950, Architecture, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 30

Posted on March 8, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0319_page01

Hodel again talking to Negro woman!!!!!

March 19, 1950: Another day of…. well, certainly you know the drill by now. Today we have the addition of a vacuum cleaner!!!

And if you think this is boring and tedious for you, think about me. I have to scan all these pages and actually read them.

The George Hodel files 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

 

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Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 29

Posted on March 7, 2013 by lmharnisch

transcript_1950_0318_page01

“Jesus Christ, Walsh — that’s what you spent your day doing?”

–J.J. Gittes,
“Chinatown”

March 18, 1950:  Another day of ringing phones and snoring at the alleged Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel.

The George Hodel files 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

 

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Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 29