L.A. Confidential is a noir novel and film set in 1950s Los Angeles. As in any noir film (Chinatown for example), the city is integral to the story. You spot places you know, learn a little history, or pick up a topic to research later. The movie is based on the best-selling book by James … Continue reading An Evening at the Los Angeles Theatre for a Noir Classic
Places
Movies Shrink the Size of Los Angeles
It’s always been funny how small Los Angeles feels in movies. Most movies shrink everything about the city, right down to its name, which is almost always shortened to L.A. Yes, the initials are on the many hats and shirts we Angelenos wear but I prefer to spell out the name of the city because … Continue reading Movies Shrink the Size of Los Angeles
Doheny Murder at Greystone Mansion
On the evening of February 16, 1929, the son of oil magnate Edward Doheny, Ned Doheny was found dead inside his mansion. Also dead was Hugh Plunkett, Ned’s business partner or aid (depending on where you look). Ned’s wife, Lucy, was in the library at the time of the incident. She heard two shots and … Continue reading Doheny Murder at Greystone Mansion
CES 2026 Had More Robots and Less Connection
CES, aka The Consumer Electronics Show, kicks off each year with lots of buzz among tech and trends nerds like myself. The last time I wrote about CES was in 2018 with the title, “AI Will Change Our Lives (for better or worse).” Eight years later, that promise is already taking shape. Corporations are asking … Continue reading CES 2026 Had More Robots and Less Connection
A Weekend So Los Angeles
This past October weekend was busy, Los Angeles busy. It included history, scares, and music. But like so many October weekends since 1958, it began with the boys in blue. Feeling blue Friday, October 17, the Dodgers took the field in Dodger Stadium one win away from sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers and reaching the World … Continue reading A Weekend So Los Angeles
The Pacific Coast League: Baseball in Los Angeles Before the Dodgers
Baseball in Los Angeles started with the Dodgers. Nope. Not even close. With the baseball season now underway and the Dodgers defending their title, this is a great time to cover some Los Angeles baseball history. Did you know there was baseball in Los Angeles long before the Dodgers came to town? In fact, baseball … Continue reading The Pacific Coast League: Baseball in Los Angeles Before the Dodgers