Tag Archives: film

‘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

October 1947: Firefighter Sits Through Movie With Dead Friend to Avoid Audience Panic

Posted on October 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Moviegoers Walter Saul of Cincinnati and his wife had just settled into their seats for a double feature with his friend Aloysius Bollin and son Joseph … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Lauren Bacall, ‘Dark Passage’ and RC Cola

Posted on October 20, 2018 by lmharnisch

Did Lauren Bacall really drink RC Cola? Use Lux soap? Smoke Chesterfields? Possibly.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 15, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1955 Columbia Pictures film “Creature With the Atom Brain,” with Richard Denning, Angela Stevens, Michael Granger, Linda Bennett, Harry Lauter, Charles Evans, S. John Launer, Gregory Gay, Tristram Coffin, Larry Blake and Pierre … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 34 Comments

Oct. 12, 1947: Father Charged With Beating Son, 2, for Talking During Movie

Posted on October 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project in response to a post by Kim Cooper. Judge Arthur Guerin told Sheppard W. King III that the beating he gave to his son was … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1939 Hal Roach production “Zenobia,” with Oliver Hardy, Harry Langdon, Billie Burke, Alice Brady, James Ellison, Jean Parker, June Lang, Step’n Fetchit, Hattie McDaniels, Phillip Hurlic, the Hall Johnson Choir and “Miss Zenobia.” Directed … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 45 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Colleen Moore’s Dollhouse Supports Children’s Charities

Posted on October 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

Colleen Moore’s doll house in a frame grab from CBS “Sunday Morning.” Note: This is an encore post from 2015. From the beginning of time, people have been collectors. Objects as diverse as paintings, stamps, shells, rocks, postcards, photographs, baseballs, … Continue reading →

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Oct. 3, 1947: Full House – Burglar Slips In on Mystery Writer’s Poker Game

Posted on October 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Reddest face in town yesterday belonged to Charles Bennett, writer of screen mysteries in which the brilliant detective always catches the crook. Seems that he had … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Oct. 3, 1947: Full House – Burglar Slips In on Mystery Writer’s Poker Game