Friday, April 3, 2026

The Midnight Story, 1957

As well as Tony Curtis, the standout performances come from Gilbert Roland & Marisa Pavan, as well as Kathleen Freeman, who makes the most of a couple of scenes.

Plenty of San Francisco location work, and supporting roles for Jay C Flippen & Ted De Corsia. Liked Peggy Maley too.


The Midnight Story, 1957.  

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Los Angeles, 1930s


The first clip is 6th and Hill. Second clip is Broadway (Kress was located at 644-646 Broadway). Can’t make out the others but I love the old traffic signals “STOP” and “GO”

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Elysian Park landslide, 1937

Nice find and compilation by Henry Briceno.

This shot amazes me.
That's Figueroa Street in the foreground.  The Figueroa Street Tunnels are just west of this on the eastbound lanes.  Also called even today the Arroyo Seco Parkway.

"Griogal Cridhe," a Scottish lament.

 
"Griogal Cridhe," a Scottish lament.  "Griogal Cridhe" translates from Scottish Gaelic as "Beloved Gregor" or ""Gregor of the Heart."  It is a renowned traditional Scottish lament and lullaby, often pronounced "GREE-uh-gul KREE-uh," composed around 1570 by Marion Campbell for her husband, Gregor MacGregor of Glen Strae, after his execution

Thanks to this post about Kriss Donald.

Monday, March 9, 2026

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 with Mike's Morning Coffee

Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto · Leif Ove Andsnes. Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2.

It's a sad, reflective piece, and at points hard to bear. It just reminded me of loss, the loss of the things I loved the most, my mom and dad. Loss of other people, too, things not so much, mainly the loss of people. It's only people that can break your heart. Speaking of loss reminded me of Elizabeth Bishop's poem, "The Art of Losing," 1979. It doesn't read like a highly technical poem, nor does it capture the grief of loss so much. It has a bit of a cavalier attitude toward loss, like it's no big thing.

I heard this Rachmaninoff on the way to get coffee this morning, and it reminded me of how Mom and Dad loved, endearingly and deeply.  I miss being in their physical presence when they were overwhelmed by loving feelings for their mom and dad.  And too for their affection and doting love for their sons and daughters.

Monday, February 23, 2026

7th & Broadway in front of the Lankershim Hotel. 1970

 1970, View of the overturned snorkel truck as seen from the fire escape of the Lankershim Hotel. A huge crowd gathered as firemen hosed off Broadway Street; it took three hours to right the vehicle and tow it away. (E. Bruce Howell - Herald Examiner Collection).  Thanks to LAPL.  If you're in the mood, check out these other photos of 7th and Broadway.