ALLIES INVADE FRANCE! JUNE 6, 1944; Complete Radio Coverage

Posted on June 6, 2022 by lmharnisch

June 7, 1944, D-day

June 7, 1944, D-Day Map

The headline and map by Charles Owens from The Times.

Note: This is an encore post from 2014. Reposting to fix some broken links.

June 6, 1944: Complete radio coverage of the D-Day Invasion. This was pool coverage using correspondents from various news organizations. By 10 a.m., CBS had resumed regular programming with news bulletins, so I’ll only post up to noon. The full day is at archive.org.

It’s worth noting that German radio was the source for most of the information in the early hours of the invasion. The eyewitness accounts are vivid and it’s worth listening to Quentin Reynolds’ analysis on how the Allies learned from disastrous surprise invasion at Dieppe in 1942.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on June 6, 2022 by lmharnisch

Main Title, Nero Wolfe. Black bars somewhat like jail cell bars
This week’s mysterious program was a Count the Man Down, a 1959 pilot for the unsold TV show Nero Wolfe with Kurt Kasznar, William Shatner, Alex Scourby, Phyllis Hill, George Voskovec, Eva Seregni, Frank Marth, John McLiam, John C. Becher, Eileen Fulton and Rene Paul. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Julian Eltinge Says ‘I’m at Your Service, Girls’

Posted on June 6, 2022 by lmharnisch

I'm at Your Service Eltinge

Note: This is an encore post from 2016.

 

One of the most famous female impersonators of all time, but now also one of the most forgotten, Julian Eltinge stood as one of the most successful headliners of the early 1900s, setting attendance records at vaudeville and theatre box offices. He entertained audiences as one of the best dressed and most hilarious women on stage for decades, with many shows written around his unique talents. For his 1915-1916 theatre musical, “Cousin Lucy,” he saw to it that a song was created that summed up his career, his audience, and his life.

Eltinge began performing on stage in the mid-1890s per historian Tony Slide in his book, “New York City Vaudeville.” The New York Tribune February 2, 1902, states that Eltinge is “well known to Boston, New York, and Newport society as a female impersonator of talent and stunning costumes.”

“Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays” by Karie Bible and Mary Mallory is available at Amazon and at local bookstores.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Sada Cowan, Screenwriting Pioneer

Posted on May 31, 2022 by lmharnisch

Sada Cowan and writing partner Howard Higgin examine a script
Sada Cowan and writing partner Howard Higgin in 1925, Exhibitors Herald.

Women made an integral contribution to the early silent film industry in all areas, both behind and in front of the camera. Without their presence, the field could not have produced as many movies that made as much impact on society as those created during these early years. Their contributions developed the industry as we know it, before they virtually disappeared from production in the 1920s.

Writer Sada Cowan is one of these unsung heroines, writing and shaping many stories revealing the hopes and frustrations of women in work as in marriage. Turning from one-act plays and poetry to screenwriting, she composed scripts featuring strong women characters for more than a decade before seeing her career virtually disappear with the introduction of sound.

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Black Dahlia: Doug Laux on ‘Selling the Black Dahlia’

Posted on May 30, 2022 by lmharnisch

Screen shot of text with audio player Selling the Black Dahlia
Here’s Doug Laux’s “story behind the story” on the Black Dahlia. You may have listened to Doug’s Black Dahlia podcast, released in January. Doug spent years on the Dahlia project, pitching it to various people. That “true” crime podcast you loved so much? Yeah, it’s a business and like anything else in the entertainment industry, it can be sleazy.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 30, 2022 by lmharnisch

Credits over a shot of a full moon over the ocean
This week’s mystery movie was the 1942 Twentieth Century-Fox picture Moontide, with Jean Gabin, Ida Lupino, Thomas Mitchell, Claude Rains, Jerome Cowan, Helene Reynolds, Ralph Byrd, William Halligan, Sen Yung, Chester Gan, Robin Raymond, Arthur Aylesworth, Arthur Hohl, John Kelly, Ralph Dunn, Tully Marshall and Tom Dugan.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Charles Fang – Pioneering Chinese American Actor

Posted on May 24, 2022 by lmharnisch

Portrait of Charles Fang
Charles Fang, Exhibitors Herald, November 11, 1922.

At a time when Chinese born in the United States could not become citizens, could be easily deported, and were prevented from immigrating to this country due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, Charles J. “Charlie” Fang became the first Chinese American film performer identified onscreen, working to bring respect and dignity to his fellow Chinese Americans. Sometimes called “the Chinese Charlie Chaplin” in the press, Fang not only acted but composed music for motion pictures, before appearing on the Broadway stage.

Little is known of Fang’s early years. His World War I draft record says that he was born August 10, 1882, in San Francisco, three months after President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Chinese first arrived on the West Coast in 1848 after the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill.  Eventually, many moved to other occupations, such as running laundries, farming, or helping build railroad lines across the West but felt discrimination and violence wherever they went. By 1882, many on the West Coast resented the Chinese presence, claiming their work led to declining wages and difficult living conditions, leading to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act on May 6, 1882, suspending Chinese immigration to the United States for 10 years, which was later extended.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 23, 2022 by lmharnisch

May 28, 2022, Main Title
This week’s mystery movie was the 1938 Warner Bros. picture The Beloved Brat, with Bonita Granville, Dolores Costello, Donald Crisp, Natalie Moorhead, Lucile Gleason, Donald Briggs, Emmett Vogan, Loia Cheaney, Leo Gorcey, Ellen Lowe, Mary Doyle, Paul Everton, Bernice Pilot, Stymie Beard, Meredith White and Gloria Fischer.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: San Francisco Silent Film Festival at 25

Posted on May 18, 2022 by lmharnisch

A painting of Erich von Stroheim from Foolish Wives
After a two-year absence, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary May 5 through 11 at the Castro Theatre with a melange of films providing a feast for the eyes and the emotions. Thoughtful programming toured the world as it highlighted relationships, reunions, and the messiness of life in its heady schedule. Energetic and evocative accompaniment provided a touching undergirding of the movies, highlighting their emotions without overwhelming the poetry. For a few hours each day, the visceral impact of these beautiful films washed over the audience and wiped away any feelings of disillusionment and despair over current headlines.

Unexpected themes and subjects popped up throughout the week, from attractive train journeys to putting on a show to spectacular and dangerous stunts and visual effects to lively little dogs and possible violence to said animals. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: A Personal Message to Steve Hodel

Posted on May 17, 2022 by lmharnisch

A short personal message to Steve Hodel. And have a cinnamon roll.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 16, 2022 by lmharnisch

2022_0521_main_title
This week’s mystery movie was the 1959 Twentieth Century-Fox picture Blue Denim, with Carol Lynley, Brandon de Wilde, Macdonald Carey, Marsha Hunt, Warren Berlinger, Buck Class, Nina Shipman, Vaughn Taylor, Roberta Shore and Mary Young.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Norman Kerry, Preservationist

Posted on May 16, 2022 by lmharnisch

Norman Kerry Truth About the Movies 1924
Norman Kerry in 1924.

Note: This is an encore post from 2019.

Long before billionaire investor Ron Burkle purchased and restored such historic architectural properties as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis-Brown House, Harold Lloyd’s Greenacres, and Bob Hope’s Palm Springs and Toluca Lake houses, silent film star Norman Kerry became one of the first Los Angeles-area preservation angels by rescuing a doomed Greene and Greene Brothers Craftsman home in the Wilshire Boulevard district. The 109-year-old landmark still stands near the Beverly Hills Hotel, the only Greene and Greene home in that city.

Multi-talented Earle C. Anthony originally constructed the graceful home after becoming one of the West Coast’s most successful Packard dealers. An automotive pioneer, Anthony designed Los Angeles’ first electric car at the age of 17 before founding the Western Motor Car Company with his father in 1904. Diversifying his portfolio around transportation, Anthony created an intercity bus line and constructed a chain of gasoline stations which he sold to Standard Oil Company in 1913.

Mary Mallory’s latest book, “Living With Grace: Life Lessons From America’s Princess,”  is now on sale.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: New Books Examine Film Noir, the Mankiewicz Brothers and Women in the Movies

Posted on May 10, 2022 by lmharnisch

Dark City cover with John Garfield and Lana Turner
Over the last several months, a plethora of film books have been released, examining Golden Age Hollywood up close or at large, offering something for everyone from experienced cinephiles to new film fans. Some come from TCM hosts or others with close connections, providing context and education on classic Hollywood, its films and players.

TCM Noir Alley host and Czar of Noir Eddie Muller’s recently revised and updated Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir provides a lavishly illustrated expanded compendium of all things dark and dangerous in the gritty world of film noir. The book takes a mesmerizing journey into the backstabbing world of post-World War II Hollywood and the seamy and sinister underbelly of the genre, offering detailed analysis and history on its films, players, and themes.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 9, 2022 by lmharnisch

May 14, 2022, Phantom Lady, Main Title
This week’s mystery movie was the 1944 Universal picture Phantom Lady, with Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis, Thomas Gomez, Aurora, Elisha Cook Jr., Fay Helm, Regis Toomey, Joseph Crehan and Andrew Tombes.
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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on May 2, 2022 by lmharnisch

May 7, 2022, Chances Main Title

This week’s mystery movie was the 1931 First National picture Chances by A. Hamilton Gibbs, with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Rose Hobart, Anthony Bushell, Holmes Herbert, Mary Forbes, Edmond Breon and Harry Allen. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Ida May Park Finds Direction in Films

Posted on May 2, 2022 by lmharnisch

Ida May Park, Photoplay
Ida May Park in Photoplay.

Note: This is an encore post from 2018.

Virtually forgotten today, Los Angeles-born Ida May Park earned the distinction of being one of the first women to direct feature films in early Hollywood, as well as write and produce, before being pushed aside as Wall Street money took over film production. Her long career acting on stage enhanced her film career, one in which she focused on creating strong women characters around which stories revolved.

Born December 28, 1879, to laborers Charles and Martha Park in Los Angeles, Ida seemed drawn to entertainment at a young age, appearing with the Alcazar Acting Company in San Francisco by 1897, perhaps after her family moved to Sacramento, where her father later served as a postman. Within a few years, Ida became an itinerant actor, performing with troupes around the United States.

Mary Mallory’s latest book, “Living With Grace: Life Lessons from America’s Princess,” will be released June 1.
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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: TCM Classic Film Festival Salutes Hollywood’s Golden Age

Posted on April 28, 2022 by lmharnisch

After a two-year absence due to the Covid pandemic, the TCM Classic Film Festival triumphantly returned to Hollywood, four-day nirvana for vintage film fans. The festival joyfully celebrated classic cinema, screening mostly 35-millimeter film prints on the big screen the way they were meant to be seen and happily reunited long-missed friends. Overloaded with films, special programming, and celebrity appearances, the event offered the opportunity to immerse oneself in the glamour of Golden Age Hollywood.

For my weekend, I mostly focused on Pre-Code films and special programming. My festival kicked off with a rare screening of the 1933 Columbia film Cocktail Hour starring Bebe Daniels and Randolph Scott, a dashing light aperitif to start off a frantic film weekend. While only slightly risque, the movie revolved around the effervescent, independent artist Daniels, celebrating life and a career on her terms and surrounded by men. Daniels sketches magazine covers for her dandy boss Scott while trading flirty repartee. Chasing excitement she embarks on an Atlantic cruise, pursued by men along the way. Composer/director Victor Schertzinger keeps the film uptempo and energetic, a heady little cocktail featuring an entertaining performance from Daniels, promising early work from Scott, and sprinkled with cameos by character actors like Willie Fung, Sam McDaniel, and Rolfe Sedan. Film historian Cari Beauchamp offered background and history before the film with guest Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of silent film great Harold Lloyd, who met Daniels several times.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on April 25, 2022 by lmharnisch

Main Title. A brick wall with a menacing shadow
This week’s mystery movie was the 1943 picture Hangmen Also Die! with Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennan, Anna Lee, Gene Lockhart, Dennis O’Keefe, Alexander Granach, Margaret Wycherly, Tonio Selwart, Jonathan Hale, H.H. v. Twardowski, Billy Roy, Reinhold Schuenzel, Louis Donath, Arno Frey, Sarah Padden, Byron Foulger, Edmund MacDonald, Lionel Stander, Lester Sharpe, Arthur Loft, George Irving and James Bush.

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Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – ‘Auction of Souls’

Posted on April 25, 2022 by lmharnisch

Jue 23, 1919, Auction of Souls
Photo: June 23, 1919, “Auction of Souls.” Credit: Los Angeles Times

Note: This is an encore post from 2011.

Los Angeles has long been a haven for refugees and artists, particularly those fleeing political and militaristic struggles.  As early as 1915, Armenians began arriving in Southern California after fleeing from the massacres and pogroms inflicted on them by Kurds and Turks.  By December of that year, 1,500 Armenians lived here without knowing the whereabouts of many members of their families back home.

Many continued to come, as the papers warned of massacres, imprisonment, torture, and murder of innocent men, women, and children. Genocide.  An article’s headline in the September 27, 1915, Los Angeles Times read, “Massacre of Armenians at Height of Its Fury, … Report States that Five Hundred Thousand Men, Women, and Children Have Either Been Killed by the Turks or Driven to the Desert to Perish of Starvation – Extermination of Non-Moslems is Programme Decided Upon.”  850,000 were reported killed by late October, nearly three quarters of the population of the entire country.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on April 18, 2022 by lmharnisch

William A. Wellman's Track of the Cat. A snowy background with trees

This week’s mystery movie was the 1954 Warner Bros. film Track of the Cat, with Robert Mitchum, Teresa Wright, Diana Lynn, Tab Hunter, Beulah Bondi, Philip Tonge, William Hopper and Carl Switzer.
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