Monthly Archives: May 2008

May 12, 1958

Posted on May 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a landmark we actually saved — sort of. I’m still waiting for the Sinai and Olivet to be reinstalled … Below, celebrity journalism, 1950s style: Peter Lawford gets clipped by a hit-and-run driver and Gen. Rafael Trujillo of the … Continue reading →

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Mystery photo countdown

Posted on May 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

TargetDate = “05/12/2008 9:00 AM”; BackColor = “white”; ForeColor = “navy”; CountActive = true; CountStepper = -1; LeadingZero = true; DisplayFormat = “%%D%% Days, %%H%% Hours, %%M%% Minutes, %%S%% Seconds.”; FinishMessage = “Here’s this week’s mystery photo!”; http://scripts.hashemian.com/js/countdown.js

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May 12, 1938

Posted on May 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

It’s fun to imagine the first crowds going into the movie palaces for the premiere of "Robin Hood" with nobody to say "Oh, I saw that on TV as a kid" or "Isn’t Basil Rathbone a great villain"?" and no … Continue reading →

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May 12, 1908

Posted on May 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a gruesome story from Stanford is Page 1 news … Below, a cross-section of what The Times often called "Life’s Seamy Side" … The print isn’t terribly legible, but reading the stories is worth the effort. Pay special attention … Continue reading →

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May 11, 1958

Posted on May 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a look back at Anna Jarvis, who died in seclusion after inaugurating an annual tribute to mothers (especially her own) only to have it turned into a commercialized holiday hijacked by merchants. Below, one woman’s view of Mother’s Day … Continue reading →

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May 11, 1938

Posted on May 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a scenario that sounds tragically familiar … Below, George Sakalis, a prosecution witness in the trial of Police Capt. Earle Kynette in the Harry Raymond bombing, is wanted in Arizona–or is he? Dist. Atty. Buron Fitts says the arrest … Continue reading →

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May 11, 1908

Posted on May 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, note the speed limit in downtown Los Angeles: 4 mph at an intersection. Below, everybody is engaged in reading the help wanted ads except a young lad who doesn’t appear to be too pleased. And what exactly does The … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Transportation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

May 10, 1958

Posted on May 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the initial Jackie Robinson story, May 9, 1958. Below, the next day, when Robinson modified his remarks… Unfortunately, the Urban League’s award to the Dodgers apparently wasn’t considered newsworthy, so The Times didn’t cover it and we don’t know … Continue reading →

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May 10, 1938

Posted on May 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a little mishap on the city’s sainted streetcar system is blamed on "man failure." I think they might have done well to come up with another term. The motorman on the westbound "J" car on Jefferson Boulevard ran a … Continue reading →

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May 10, 1908

Posted on May 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, I’ll leave it to someone else to comment on women’s concepts of body image in the early 20th century. Below, interesting coverage of the Laporte, Ind., "death farm." The Times reported yesterday that Belle Gunness had been captured. Today’s … Continue reading →

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Building of the Week

Posted on May 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

May 10, 1908 A century later, the church is still standing, as shown in Google’s street view feature. The building was designed by Franklin P. Burnham. The article notes that a speaker can be easily heard anywhere in the auditorium … Continue reading →

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May 9, 1958

Posted on May 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a mother who claimed she strangled her 2-year-old son when he actually died of pneumonia drives up to Mulholland and kills herself … Below, a Peruvian mob blocks Vice President Nixon as he tries to enter the gates of … Continue reading →

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Commies

Posted on May 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

May 9, 1958 Los Angeles   By Keith ThursbyTimes staff writer Opponents of the deal to build the Dodgers a baseball stadium in Chavez Ravine apparently tried to paint the proposal in a 1950s shade of red. According to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

May 9, 1938

Posted on May 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a bottle of Pepsi costs a nickel (71 cents USD 2007) and is worth a dime ($1.43 USD 2007) … Below,  unemployed actor and author Charles E. Royal finds another career telling tourists about City Hall in staggering detail. … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Food and Drink, Front Pages, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , | 1 Comment

May 9, 1908

Posted on May 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a banjo recital that makes everyone feel like getting up and dancing … Below, Belle Gunness is captured as investigators uncover more bodies on the Laporte, Ind., "death farm" … Problems at a convention for the unemployed: "Gas House" … Continue reading →

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May 8, 1938

Posted on May 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, an arresting and perhaps inflammatory title for a book that’s fairly obscure today. It appears to have been written by a Swedish Christian who advocated assimilation … The book also appears to have evoked a response from Rabbi Stephen … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Found on EBay

Posted on May 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s an image of Harvard Military School, which covered 10 acres at Western Avenue and 16th Street, an area then known as Pico Heights. The original postcard is for sale on EBay. Email me

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May 8, 1908

Posted on May 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

At first I thought this story was left over from April Fool’s Day. Then again, maybe not. Anybody else notice a key question that hasn’t been addressed? Below, meet hard-drinking Police Officer Clarence E. Logie, a colorful character in early … Continue reading →

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May 7, 1958

Posted on May 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, in Louisiana, even the boxing ring is segregated … Below, problems for Bing Crosby’s son Dennis. A "tall, willowy, Hollywood brunette" says he’s the father of her 5 1/2-month-old daughter Denise–and there are allegations that the man who performed … Continue reading →

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May 7, 1938

Posted on May 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, theater manager Boris Posner is accused of "misconduct" while measuring young women for a beauty contest. Charges were eventually dismissed and he vanished from the pages of The Times … In Cleveland, welfare recipients overwhelm relief stations, chanting "We … Continue reading →

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