Meet James T. Bartlett

Today we’re excited to be connecting with James T. Bartlett again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

James T., we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
The formal story goes: Originally from London, I have been living in Los Angeles since 2004. As a travel/lifestyle journalist and historian, I have written for the Los Angeles Times, National Geographic Traveler, AARP Magazine, BBC, Los Angeles Daily News, Westways, Los Angeles Magazine, ALTA Journal, High Life, Thrillist, Hemispheres, Frommers, American Way, Atlas Obscura, The Guardian, Variety and History Ireland, among others.

I’m also the author of Anthony Award-nominated “The Alaskan Blonde: Sex, Secrets, and the Hollywood Story that Shocked America”, a true crime book reexamining a scandalous 1953 murder that began in Alaska and ended in Hollywood, and the two “Gourmet Ghosts” alternative guides to L.A’s bars, restaurants and hotels. His fictional short story “Under The Stars” was selected for the Sisters in Crime – Los Angeles 2023 anthology “Entertainment To Die For”.

How did I get here as of today? I guess it’s a combination of luck, hard work, support from my wife, friends and family, and of course plenty of cups of tea! I certainly never thought I would end up living in Los Angeles, searching the archives for historic murders and other crimes!

Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
The big thing right now is that I was recently commissioned by History Press to write a book about true crime in Burbank, covering the period 1900-1980. It means I’ll again be diving into the archives and finding stories both famous and infamous, for a release that is due to be in time for the 140th anniversary of Burbank’s founding in 2027. I’m thrilled to be back in this world, as it means I get to explore the streets of a new city and find out about its dark and deadly past!

Also, “The Alaskan Blonde” people mercifully still seem interested in the story, so I’m still writing articles and appearing on podcasts about it. I have an upcoming talk about it at Studio City Library on March 10th at 6pm.

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: So hard to just say one. The movie I can watch again and again? Alien. Or Blade Runner.

Favorite Book: Right now I’m trying to read more fiction, if that helps!

Favorite TV Show: If it helps, I’m enjoying the “History Buffs” videos on YouTube right now. And I’ll always watch cricket. But that doesn’t really count.

Favorite Band or Artist: Am currently working my way through 4000+ tracks on Spotify of the “Now That’s What I Call Music” UK compliation albums (1983-2023)

Sweet or Savory: Sweet. Shockingly sweet teeth, me. But I am English!

Mountains or Beach: Both in one, ideally. The former you can be alone and quiet, the latter too – but maybe with dolphins too.

Favorite Sport (to watch): Cricket.

Favorite Sport (to play): Trugo. I am the only international club member of this Australian sport played only in Melbourne. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-45326460

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Soccer, cricket, rugby, swimming.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: It varied I am sure – but my paternal grandfather, who died before I was born, was a journalist.

French Fries or Onion Rings: Fries. Onion rings often make me gag – slimy. Crispy ones are barely tolerable.

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Who? English born and raised. No idea who they are.

Favorite Cartoon growing up: English cartoons mainly, and we had some stop-animation shows too: The Clangers, Trumpton, Camberwick Green. Look them up!

Favorite Childhood movie: That I loved when I was a child, or is about your younger days? Not really childhood, but Cinema Paradiso always makes me cry.

Favorite Breakfast Food: Toast with Bovril (look Bovril up!). With tea, of course.

What are you most excited about in the coming year?
I really hope to go to Australia on another trip. As soon as you come out of the airport, you hear the chattering and chirping and twittering of their amazing bird life. Absolutely love it there. Last time we went to Hobart, which is the capital city of Tasmania, the heart-shaped island state that often isn’t even included on maps of Australia. When there, we went on the Antarctic icebreaker Nuyina for a tour, then got drunk with the crew in a pub nearby.

And the day before, we spent almost all day with David Walsh and his wife Kirscha Kaeschele https://www.instagram.com/kirshakaechele/?hl=en who are art collectors and curators that set up the amazing underground museum MONA – Museum of Old and New Art. That was a trip and a half, but god knows where we’ll be able to take them to impress them if they come to LA and call us up!

Website: https://www.thealaskanblonde.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gourmetghosts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-t-bartlett-999501153/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.bartlett.5074644

Other: https://travmedia.com/jamesbartlett