Black Dahlia: William J. Mann’s ‘Murders, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood’ — Not a Better Answer in the Dahlia Case, Just a Different One

Posted on September 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

Book cover: Lettering over mug shot of Elizabeth Short.
Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood, by William J. Mann, Simon & Schuster, 464 pages, January 27, 2026, $31.

 

Like a game of Clue with an actual cold case to solve, a well-worn list of suspects in the 1947 Black Dahlia killing released 22 years ago continues to provide the “true” crime community and the multimillion-dollar industry that feeds it with endless possibilities for speculation and, occasionally, another book.

Was it the murderous Dr. George Hodel at the Sowden House in a gruesome attempt at surrealist art? Mob nightclub owner Mark Hansen at the Florentine Gardens hiring morgue-trained assassin Leslie Dillon to take care of a troublesome dame? Army butcher Carl Balsiger in a fit of violence?

All of them are fakery and fraud by writers Steve Hodel (the ongoing Black Dahlia Avenger franchise launched in 2003), Piu Eatwell (Black Dahlia, Red Rose, 2017) and Eli Frankel (Sisters in Death, forthcoming in October 2025) who, if they read all of their source material, knew their suspect wasn’t the killer and proceeded anyway. Truth is the first victim for a “true” crime author with hopes of making The New York Times bestseller list and everything that goes with it. Continue reading →

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

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

Main Title: Lettering on gray background
This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 Warner Bros. film Fashions, with William Powell, Bette Davis, Frank McHugh, Hugh Herbert, Verree Teasdale, Reginald Owen, Henry O’Neill, Phillip Reed, Gordon Westcott, Dorothy Burgess, Etienne Giradot, William Burress, Nella Walker, Spencer Charters, George Humbert, Frank Darien and Harry Beresford. Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 46 Comments

September 7, 1959: Matt Weinstock–Visit to Ojai

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

Los_Angeles_Mirror_1959_09_07_9

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Tagged , , | Comments Off on September 7, 1959: Matt Weinstock–Visit to Ojai

September 7, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 7, 1959: Paul Coates writes about a young woman's experiences in traffic court. Hint: she wore a tight, revealing dress that she made herself, and has flaming red hair.

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

September 7, 1947: May Co. Offers Credit Plan With 1% Interest

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 7, 1947, May Co.
Sept. 7, 1947: Oh, the innocence here.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Fashion | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on September 7, 1947: May Co. Offers Credit Plan With 1% Interest

September 7, 1947: The Comics Pages

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

Comics, L.A. Times, 1947

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.

Say kids, it’s Sunday morning, let’s look at the comics. Why it’s a 10-page section, imagine that. Los Angeles Times, World’s Greatest Comics—15 cents. That would be $1.42 today.

Who have we got here? Looks like Dick Tracy has finally captured Coffyhead with the help of the Junior Crimestoppers. Red Ryder and his pals are expanding the Rimrock School. Who’s that kid? His name is Little Beaver and he’s supposed to be a Native American. He’s saying: “Him make-um eyes like wolf at teacher. Me gusdusted.”

Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Art & Artists, Comics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on September 7, 1947: The Comics Pages

September 7, 1907: Typhoid, Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever and Tuberculosis

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch


Note: This is an encore post from 2006.

Sept. 7, 1907
Los Angeles

Henry Sief of the health office has released the latest figures on infectious diseases in Los Angeles and the news is wonderful.

There were only 20 cases of diphtheria in August, a 31% decrease from the 29 cases in July. Scarlet fever was down to 9 cases in August, a 55% drop from July, when there were 20. Tuberculosis is down to 10 cases from 24.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Medicine, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on September 7, 1907: Typhoid, Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever and Tuberculosis

Labor Day in Los Angeles, September 7, 1886

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 7, 1886, Labor Day

Note: This is an encore post from 2011.


September 7, 1886: The Times publishes a roundup of events marking  Labor Day, but there are no reports of any celebrations in Los Angeles. On the jump, Labor Day, 1891, is celebrated on the West Coast, but there’s nothing about Los Angeles.

For Labor Day, 1895, The Times reported on a parade that began at the old junction of Temple, Main and Spring, which was  changed when Spring Street was straightened to make room for City Hall.

The parade went down Spring to 5th Street, east on 5th to Main, north on Main to 1st and from there to La Grande Station [the Santa Fe depot  at 1st and Santa Fe Avenue (d. 1946)], where many participants took the cars to Redondo Beach.

The parade consisted of four police officers on bicycles, a marching band, the council of labor  and 14 members of the Turnverein Germania. There were 48 members of the Plumbers Union, No. 78; 36 members of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners; 34 members of the Typographical Union, No. 174; 25 members of the Retail Clerks Protective Assn.

After another marching band, there were 50 members of the Pastry Cooks Union; 30 members of the Tin, Sheet and Cornice Workers Union; and 45 members of the Painters and Decorators Union.

The parade ended with 31 men in black shirts and red neckties with “a blood-red flag bearing the words “Socialistic Labor Union,” The Times said.

“The Socialistic Labor Union refused to go to Redondo, claiming that the principles of the organization forbade the needless enriching of a railway corporation’s coffers, and there was small opportunity to capture a train,” The Times said.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1886, 1891, 1895, Labor, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments Off on Labor Day in Los Angeles, September 7, 1886

September 6, 1953: Barbara Graham Sobs During Son’s Visit to Jail

Posted on September 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 6, 1953, Comics
Sept. 6, 1953, Barbara Graham

September 6, 1953: Barbara Graham, on trial in the Mabel Monahan killing, sobs “almost hysterically” as she holds her 18-month-old son, Tommy, during a visit at the Hall of Justice, The Times says. He was in the custody of his grandmother Anne Webb.

Bessie Lill, veteran court reporter, retires after 34 years at the age of 70. Lill worked mostly in civil court and said one of her most interesting cases was “the old water litigation in the 1920s when much of California’s water law was written.” Lill used the Pitman method of shorthand, she says. No stenographic machine for her!

Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Film, Hill Street, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

September 6, 1947: Mexican Workers Essential as Americans Refuse Stoop Labor, Ranchers Testify

Posted on September 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

L.A. Times, 1947
Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.

“Up from his 160-acre vegetable farm at San Juan Capistrano, veteran rancher H.L. Remmers informed the committee that he must “get Mexican workers” or “think about going out of business.” Americans, Remmers said, “don’t like ‘stoop labor.’ ”

Farmers, he said, will be “glad to go down to the border and bring the Mexicans north at our own expense and responsibility.” Pay ranges from 70 cents an hour for harvesters ($6.62 USD 2005) to $1.10 ($10.41 USD 2005) for tractor men, Remmers said….

Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Food and Drink, Immigration, Labor | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on September 6, 1947: Mexican Workers Essential as Americans Refuse Stoop Labor, Ranchers Testify

LAPD Parker Center Cop Shop Files: Jane Doe, September 5, 1973

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

1973_0905_jane_doe

1973_0905_jane_doe

Note: Last year I was given a box of news releases, photographs and random pieces of paper from the old press room at Parker Center. I’m gradually posting the material.

These are the earrings and the label from a pair of pants worn by a teenage girl whose body was found Sept. 5, 1973, in an open grave in Hacienda Heights. She had been dead about 30 to 90 days, authorities said. She had been shot in the head.

From the original press release:

Sheriff Peter J. Pitchess is requesting the cooperation of the public in identifying a young girl who’s body was found in an open grave on September 5, 1973, in Hacienda Heights.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1973, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Parker Center Cop Shop Files | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

September 5, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1959: Paul Coates writes about the unusual publicity campaign for the new film "Private Property."

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on September 5, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

September 5, 1947: L.A. Turns 166, Becomes Third-Largest City in America

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

L.A. Times, 1947

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.

Los Angeles mounted a festive reenactment of its founding, with people taking the roles of padres, soldiers and settlers. On the gaily decorated steps of City Hall, officials told tales of the city’s past: Mrs. Leiland Atherton Irish on the Mexican-Spanish period; Marshall Stimson on life from 1850 to 1900; former Mayor George E. Cryer on 1900 to 1947; and Mayor Fletcher Bowron on the city’s future.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, City Hall, Environment, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on September 5, 1947: L.A. Turns 166, Becomes Third-Largest City in America

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 5, 1944

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 1944, Comics

September 5, 1944

Dear Martha Foster: I am a constant reader of your column and I have noticed that many of your letters are from women who are losing their husbands to younger girls. I think I may be able to help them. I am 42 and have been married 24 years. I have very little trouble with my husband’s running around and leaving me at home alone. Why? It’s very simple. Stay sweet, stay young and flatter him!

Wives always blame the man or the other woman when they themselves are to blame. How do you correct this? Easy! How did you win him in the beginning? Well stay that way.

Men are hard to handle but if you know how, you can get anything you want.

Louella Parsons says; “One Touch of Venus” has been sold to the movies, according to word from New York. Mary Pickford has bought it through Victor Orsatti, who represents John Wildberg and Cheryl Crawford, the producers, as well as Ogden Nash and the other authors. Every company in Hollywood has been bidding for it. Mary, who finally obtained the rights, goes East Tuesday to sign the papers.

It is possible that Mary Martin, who created the role on the New York stage, will be brought here for the part.

VIRGO: Financial, economic and important social issues greatly favored; exercise utmost care and scrutiny in money matters. Aggressive tactics, carelessness is out. Be calm, gentle.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Horoscope | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 5, 1944

September 5, 1944: Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 1944, Comics

image

Harry Truman, friend of libraries!

September 5, 1944

Maria Fierro of 879 1/2 Lookout Drive decided to go dancing with Robert Fierro (apparently her brother) and Robert Gomez at a cafe in the 4600 block of Brooklyn Avenue (now Cesar Chavez).

Because children weren’t allowed in the cafe, Stella Barrios, 13, and Maria’s 6-year-old son, Rudolfo, were left to wait outside in the car. Stella went to get a bottle of soda pop, but Rudolfo found a half-full bottle of whiskey in the car and drank enough to send him into convulsions. He died of alcohol poisoning, with a blood-alcohol content of 0.38%, The Times said.

All three adults were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, but the charges were dropped.

The Gallup Poll reports that Republican presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey has a slight edge, 51% to 49%, over President Roosevelt among registered voters who are certain that they will cast a ballot. Roosevelt, however, has a substantial lead among voters who are “fairly certain” or “not certain” of casting a ballot.

In the theaters: “Gypsy Wildcat.”

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on September 5, 1944: Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

September 5, 1943: Union Pleads With Streetcar Workers Not to Strike

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 1943, Comics

image

Sept. 5, 1943: Explaining that “war strategies between President Roosevelt and Britain’s Prime Minister Churchill come first,” William P. Nutter of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen pleads with dissatisfied employees of the Pacific Electric Railway to stay on the job.

At issue is a raise approved for streetcar employees that is higher than permitted under wartime wage-price restrictions.

With an acute labor shortage in Los Angeles and the impasse over raises, eight to 10 streetcar employees are quitting every day to take more lucrative jobs, a union official says.

P.B. Harris, head of the Los Angeles Street Railway Co., says the company is hiring every day but cannot keep up with the number of workers who are quitting.

“The bus situation is not as bad,” he says.

Among the best sellers in Los Angeles: “The Robe,” by Lloyd C. Douglas and “One World” by Wendell L. Wilkie.

Times columnist Lee Shippey begins a series of lectures at the Broadway in Hollywood. His first is “What Shall We Do About Russia.”

Hedda Hopper profiles Wallace Beery and says: “The real boss of the Beery home is Carol Ann Beery, his adopted daughter. They’re inseparable. If Wally is dumb like a fox, Carol Ann is dumb like two foxes.”

Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on September 5, 1943: Union Pleads With Streetcar Workers Not to Strike

September 4, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 4, 1959: Paul Coates has the story of Lily Goldberg, who refused to believe that her son Gerald was guilty of writing bad checks, despite witnesses' identification and testimony by a handwriting expert.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on September 4, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

September 4, 1947: Red Influences in Hollywood!

Posted on September 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

L.A. Times, 1947, Hollywood Reds

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.

Among the celebrities declining an invitation to discuss Communists in Hollywood was Hedda Hopper, and her column expands on the number of Red-influenced films in Hollywood and reflects the reasoning of the day.

In addition to the previously mentioned films “Mission to Moscow,” “North Star” and “Song of Russia” attacked as being Red-influenced, Hopper adds:

Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on September 4, 1947: Red Influences in Hollywood!

1944 in Print — Life Magazine, September 4, 1944

Posted on September 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

Life Magazine, Sept. 4, 1944

The U.S. Secretary of State, who is offstage director for the Dumbarton Oaks conference on postwar security is shown in this excellent portrait by Karsh. Secretary Hull welcomed the delegates to Washington. Last week, Mr. Hull talked with John Foster Dulles, Dewey’s foreign affairs adviser. The two agreed on many points but Mr. Dulles came away insisting that a “nonpartisan discussion” of foreign policy was a proper part of the coming campaign.

September 4, 1944

Cordell Hull is the cover feature of this week’s Life magazine.

Alfred Eisenstaedt celebrates 15 years as a photojournalist.

In a feature on which city has the most pretty girls, a photographer snaps photos at Hollywood and Vine.

This week’s Hollywood feature is Jeanne Crain, 19, a graduate of Inglewood High School.

Scanned by Google Books.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Life Magazine, September 4, 1944

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 4, 1944

Posted on September 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 4, 1944, Comics

September 4, 1944

Danton Walter says: Brazil and Colombia plan to cut coffee exports to the U.S. if the OPA price ceiling isn’t lifted … FDR has requested James Byrnes to hold up his resignation until after election day … Major radio stations have already made up their V-Day programs.

Louella Parsons says: “Kiss and Tell” is certainly launched in fine style with Shirley Temple as the star. Yes, that’s the news today. David O. Selznick has loaned her to the new independent production company headed by George Abbott, Sol C. Siegel and F. Hugh Herbert for their first picture. The release is through Columbia.

The controversial “Mildred Pearce” is again the center of controversy. Jack Warner is refusing to bring it to the screen until he is satisfied with the script, so it has been temporarily shelved. It’s so censorable it takes a bit of doing to adopt. Well this means Joan Crawford is again out of a picture, so she is taking a trip to New York until such time as there is a play ready. Jack has said he wants Joan to have a screenplay that is right for her and apparently he thinks “Mildred Pearce” isn’t.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer via Fultonhistory.com.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 4, 1944