Boris Karloff Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Buster Keaton Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Natalie Wood Reads L.A. Morgue Files

William Powell Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Dean Martin Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Errol Flynn Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Clark Gable Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Brian Keith as "Theodore Roosevelt" in THE WIND AND THE LION (1975)

John Hay: Theodore! You are dangerous. You might even shoot somebody - accidentally I mean. Theodore Roosevelt: John, I'd never shoot anyone accidentally. I need their votes. John Hay: Madness!

***

Theodore Roosevelt: America wants Pedicaris alive, or Raisuli dead!

***

Theodore Roosevelt: What do I want? I want respect! Respect for human life and respect for American property! And I'm going to send the Atlantic Squadron to Morocco to get that respect. John Hay: That's illegal. Theodore Roosevelt: Why spoil the beauty of the thing with legality?

Theodore Roosevelt: The American grizzly is a symbol of the American character: strength, intelligence, ferocity. Maybe a little blind and reckless at times... but courageous beyond all doubt. And one other trait that goes with all previous. 2nd Reporter: And that, Mr. President? Theodore Roosevelt: Loneliness. The American grizzly lives out his life alone. Indomitable, unconquered - but always alone. He has no real allies, only enemies, but none of them as great as he. 2nd Reporter: And you feel this might be an American trait? Theodore Roosevelt: Certainly. The world will never love us. They respect us - they might even grow to fear us. But they will never love us, for we have too much audacity! And, we're a bit blind and reckless at times too. 2nd Reporter: Are you perhaps referring to the situation in Morocco and the Panama Canal. Theodore Roosevelt: If you say so... The American grizzly embodies the spirit of America. He should be our symbol! Not that ridiculous eagle - he's nothing more than a dandified vulture.

***

John Hay: Not having any, Mr. President? Theodore Roosevelt: Oh, no cake for me, John, birthday or no. Have to remain fit and trim, vigorous and active. After all, this Raisuli fellow is reputed to be over fifty and still a formidable brigand. John Hay: Well, you might well make a formidable brigand yourself. You've made a good start in life, and we all have high hopes for you - when you grow up! And now I shall have some of your cake. "Let them eat cake" - thank you! Theodore Roosevelt: Not good for you, John - neither are those cigars. John Hay: At my age, I can afford it.

Theodore Roosevelt: [to Hay, while boxing] You know as well as I do that we can't have Arab desperadoes running around kidnapping American citizens. If I had my way, I'd go in there with a couple of Winchesters, a batallion of Marines - but, I can't do that, can I? John Hay: [breaks up Roosevelt and his opponent] No. Theodore Roosevelt: Has this Raspuli-? John Hay: Raisuli. Theodore Roosevelt: Raspuli, Raisuli, whatever - has he made any terms? John Hay: No. Theodore Roosevelt: Good - that gives us an excuse!

***

John Hay: [on Raisuli] He kidnapped a British consul once, but they became friends and he sent him back - he spat on the blood money. Theodore Roosevelt: Spat on it? John Hay: Yes. There've been others, though - Spanish and French emissaries. Theodore Roosevelt: Did he send them back too? John Hay: Parts of them. Theodore Roosevelt: Parts of them? Obviously he has NO RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE! [said as he KO's his opponent]

***

Theodore Roosevelt: Gentlemen, nothing in this world is certain - absolutely nothing. The fate of the nation will be decided by the American people in November, and the fate of Morocco will be decided tomorrow by me. And now, if you don't mind, I'd just like to be alone with my bear!

***

Theodore Roosevelt: [examining a rifle he has received for his birthday] You can be sure that Raisuli fellow has a rifle that fits him. Those people know the value of a good weapon. The rifle is the very soul of the Arab. President's Aide: Raisuli's a Berber, Mr. President. Theodore Roosevelt: It goes double for Berbers!

Jimmy Stewart Reads L.A. Morgue Files

Clark Gable & Marion Davies Read L.A. Morgue Files

Alan Ladd Reads L.A. Morgue Files

HOLLYWOODLAND (2006)

HOLLYWOODLAND is a 2006 American biographical docudrama film directed by Allen Coulter in his feature directorial debut. The film documents a fictional account of the investigation surrounding the death of actor George Reeves (Ben Affleck), the star of the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman. Adrien Brody plays Louis Simo, a fictional down-on-his-luck private investigator on the case, as he questions Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), who was involved in a long romantic relationship with Reeves and was the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins). Reeves had ended the affair and had become engaged to a younger woman, aspiring actress Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney).

"Adventures of Superman" Daily Planet Building

The establishing shot of the Daily Planet Building in the first season of the "Adventures of Superman" was the E. Clem Wilson Building in Los Angeles, California (above), at 5225 Wilshire Boulevard. The angle of the stock pan-down shot of the Wilson building tended to make it look taller than its 10 or 12 stories. From the second season onward, stock shots of the 32-story Los Angeles City Hall (below) were used as the Daily Planet building.

"Adventures of Superman" 1952-1958

Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California. Sponsored by cereal manufacturer Kellogg's, the syndicated show's first, and last, air dates are disputed but generally accepted as September 19, 1952 and April 28, 1958. The show's first two seasons (episodes 1–52, 26 titles per season) were filmed in black-and-white; seasons three through six (episodes 53–104, 13 titles per season) were filmed in color but originally telecast monochromatically both on the ABC network and in first-run syndication. Television viewers would not see Superman in color until the series was syndicated to local stations in 1965.

George Reeves plays Clark Kent/Superman with Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen, John Hamilton as Perry White, and Robert Shayne as Inspector Henderson. Phyllis Coates plays Lois Lane in the first season with Noel Neill stepping into the role in the second season (1953). Stories follow Superman as he battles crooks, gangsters, and other villains in the fictional city of Metropolis while masquerading "off-duty" as Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Clark's colleagues at the office, often find themselves in dangerous situations which can only be resolved with Superman's timely intervention.

Adventures of Superman generally employed visual effects advanced for television of the period, and, while the show won no major awards, it was popular with its audience and remains popular today. Its opening theme is known as The Superman March. In 1976, the book Superman: From Serial to Cereal was published, and, in 1987, selected episodes of the show were released to video. In 2006, the series became available in its entirety on DVD and reruns of the show still hold a place on television programming schedules. In 2006, HOLLYWOODLAND, a film dramatizing the show's production and the death of its star, George Reeves, was released.

They're Digging Up Ray Bradbury's Grave

Stopped by Westwood Village Cemetery this afternoon and found them digging up Ray Bradbury's grave. The garden area where Ray will be buried and where his wife lies at rest is inaccessible to motorized equipment, so the grave has to be dug up by hand and shovel.

Bus & Car Collision in Westwood 6/10/12

So, I'm sitting at my desk on Sunday watching HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1962) with the commentary track playing and I hear the horrible sound of metal smashing into metal. I look outside to see a car crashed nearly head on with a Metro bus.

No one appeared to be hurt. No paramedics, just police, firemen, and a tow truck.

Author Henry Miller Pontificates in REDS (1981)

Before his death, author Henry Miller (1891-1980) filmed with Warren Beatty for his film REDS (1981). He spoke of his remembrances of John Reed and Louise Bryant as part of a series of "witnesses." The film was released eighteen months after Miller's death.

VINCENT PRICE READS L.A. MORGUE FILES