Tag Archives: film

Black Dahlia: ‘I Am the Night’ – Not Featuring Man Ray!

Posted on November 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Above, a frame from “I Am the Night” showing what I have to assume is Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel presiding over a meeting of the Hollywood Minotaur Club. I was looking over the cast of “I Am the Night,” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: ‘I Am the Night’ – My Head Is Already Exploding

Posted on November 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Uh-oh. You have GOT to be kidding.  Is THIS supposed to be Dr. George Hodel??? This is ridiculous – and has nothing to do with the Black Dahlia case. Nada.

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1955 Warner Bros. picture “I Died a Thousand Times,” with Jack Palance, Shelley Winters, Lori Nelson, Lee Marvin, Gonzalez Gonzalez, Lon Chaney, Earl Holliman, Perry Lopez, Richard Davalos, Howard St. John, Olive Carey, Ralph … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Actor Jack Donovan Designs Bungalow Courts for Hollywood Artistes

Posted on November 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Jack Donovan on the porch of his home, “Picture-Play Magazine,” April 1923.. From its beginnings, the Hollywood film industry has constructed elaborate sets and facades before demolishing them to build something else, such as David O. Selznick burning down old … Continue reading →

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Nov. 25, 1947: House Indicts the ‘Hollywood 10’ for Contempt

Posted on November 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. One Republican, Claude I. Bakewell of Missouri; Vito Marcantonio of the American Labor Party; and 15 Democrats voted against this measure: John Blatnik of Minnesota; Sol … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the March 18, 1910, Edison production of “Frankenstein,” directed by J. Searle Dawley, photographed by James White, with Augustus Phillips, Mary Fuller and Charles Ogle. Music scored and performed by Donald Sosin. The Library of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Nov. 14, 1947: Frightening Food From the 1940s – M.J.B. Nightcap

Posted on November 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. 1. In the top of a double-boiler, combine 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and ¼ cup triple-strength M.J.B. coffee. Half-strength or triple-strength, the mellow … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Food and Drink, Frightening Food From the 1940s, Hollywood, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood’ | One-Page Fact Check: Fail

Posted on November 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

The one-page fact check of Karina Longworth’s “Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood” was even more successful than I expected. Well done, Brain Trust. Grade: Fail. Ready? Here we go:

Posted in 1920, 1921, 1923, 1925, Another Good Story Ruined, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, One-Page Fact Check | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Another Good Story Ruined: Karina Longworth’s ‘Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood’

Posted on November 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Here’s a “fun” challenge. How many mistakes can you spot on the first page of “Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood?”   A friend who has written many distinguished books on Hollywood emailed me over the weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Abel Gance’s ‘J’Accuse’ a Passionate Indictment of War

Posted on November 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

An ad for “I Accuse” in Exhibitors Herald, Nov. 5, 1921. The “war to end all wars” ended November 11, 1918, at 11 am. After four years of butchery, gas attacks, hand-to-hand combat and trench warfare, soldiers walked away from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, World War I | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1936 Paramount picture “The Big Broadcast of 1937,” with Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, Shirley Ross, Ray Milland, Frank Forest, Benny Fields, Sam Hearn, Benny Goodman and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 40 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1964 Twentieth Century-Fox picture “Back Door to Hell” with Jimmie Rodgers, Jack Nicholson, John Hackett, Annabelle Huggins, Conrad Maga, Johnny Monteiro, Joe Sison, Henry Duval, Ben Perez and Vic Uematsu. Photography by Mars … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: John Decker – Painter to the Stars

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Chester Conklin by John Decker, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2013. “To sing, to laugh, to dream, to walk in my own way and be alone…” A recording of John Decker’s voice recited this … Continue reading →

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Nov. 5, 1947: ‘Amazing Career of a Girl Drug Addict’

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Nov. 5, 1947: She called it “The Amazing Career of a Girl Drug Addict” and she wasn’t exaggerating—and yet she was. Arrested in October for driving … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Great-Grandmother Wins ‘Sepia Cinderella’ Contest

Posted on October 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 30, 1947: Annie Rhone, a 60-year-old great-grandmother, was chosen as the Sentinel’s “Sepia Cinderella” in a contest judged by Eddie “Rochester” Anderson and held at West Coast premiere of the film. “Sepia Cinderella” was directed by Arthur H. … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1922 “The Toll of the Sea,” one of the earliest two-strip Technicolor features. Story by Frances Marion, directed by Chester M. Franklin, photographic direction by J.A. Ball, with Anna May Wong, Kenneth Harlan, Beatrice … Continue reading →

Posted in 1922, Asians, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 50 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘That’s My Baby’ Promotes Popularity of Baby Peggy

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Film studios often employed gimmicks as ways to build word of mouth, increase box office, and promote movie stars throughout the golden age of Hollywood. Pennants, dolls, photos, dishes, and even sheet music produced in conjunction with sponsors or major … Continue reading →

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Black Cat Sandwiches: Frightening Food From the 1940s

Posted on October 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. The night of witches and hobgoblins is a beloved holiday to all children. Exciting masquerade dress, gleaming jack o’ lanterns, eerie black cats, laughter and traditional … Continue reading →

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October 23, 1947: Hollywood Fashion Designer, Partner Die Within Hours; Family Sues Over Estate of Men With ‘Strange Attachment’

Posted on October 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.. Robert and Joseph were close—even in death. They shared a home filled with antiques, bric-a-brac and paintings at 4329 Agnes Ave. in North Hollywood, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1941 Warner Bros. picture “Father’s Son,” with John Litel, Frieda Inescort, Billy Dawson and Christian Rub. The screenplay was by Fred Niblo Jr., from a story by Booth Tarkington. Photography by Allen G. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 40 Comments