Monthly Archives: November 2008

Our rural past — farming in Torrance

Posted on November 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

By Russ Parsons You would hardly know it today, when South Bay towns like Torrance and Gardena seem composed of little but suburbs and strip malls, but it wasn’t so long ago that this broad, flat plain included some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, books, Food and Drink, Real Estate | 2 Comments

Film tells story of 1920s Jewish athletes

Posted on November 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photographs from Laemmle/Zeller Films A Jewish basketball team from 1921-22. ‘First Basket’ honors Jewish athletes Film documents the early days of organized basketball. By Gary Goldstein November 9, 2008 Inky Lautman of he Philadelphia SPHAS, about 1939-40. Did you hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Religion | 2 Comments

A plan for Dodger Stadium

Posted on November 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Ray Graham / Los Angeles Times Dodger Stadium under construction in a photo published April 22, 1961. (No, this image hasn’t been Photoshopped. It’s a large print so I had to scan it in two pieces and paste … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 3 Comments

Movie star mystery photo

Posted on November 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Our mystery guest has nearly 50 credits on imdb.  Update: Yes, she’s Jean Porter … "she has just completed ‘Abbott and Costello in Hollywood’ and ‘Early to Wed,’ " according to the caption information on the back of the photo. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 24 Comments

Vintage architecture — Richard Neutra

Posted on November 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph courtesy Crosby Doe Associates Richard Neutra’s Leon Barsha Residence, 302 Mesa Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90402 From the Realty company’s website: The Leon Barsha Residence, 1938. Originally saved from destruction by the Hollywood Freeway expansion with its relocation to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Real Estate | Comments Off on Vintage architecture — Richard Neutra

Found on EBay — From Silverwood’s

Posted on November 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Now here’s a vintage cashmere jacket from Silverwood’s, a longtime men’s store in Los Angeles that folded in the early 1990s, that might come in handy if you’re playing Nathan Detroit. On EBay with bids starting at $14.99.      … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — From Silverwood’s

Lasorda’s Dodger forecast, November 13, 1968

Posted on November 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, "Therese and Isabelle," 1968. "Reminds us anew that there’s nothing quite so puritanical as a dirty picture."— Kevin Thomas Some clips on YouTube for the curious.,,, Part of the pleasure in plowing through old sports stories is reading about … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Columnists, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Batchelder tile

Posted on November 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s a piece of Batchelder tile listed on EBay with bids starting at 99 cents. (Yes, there is a reserve). It’s signed "Batchelder Los Angeles."            

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Real Estate | 1 Comment

November 12, 1958: Teenage hitchhiker killed

Posted on November 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Daryle Kelch was one of the most popular seniors at William S. Hart High School. He had a good friend, Douglas Austin, and a girlfriend, Karen Deadmon. And he was a dependable boy, according to the eulogy delivered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Voices — Jay Fiondella

Posted on November 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Jay Fiondella sets off to look for World War II planes that crashed in Greenland. "My Holy Grail." "Adventure is out there."

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off on Voices — Jay Fiondella

Sid Hughes dies at 50; the Daily Mirror mourns

Posted on November 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Sid Hughes, Los Angeles newsman. Sid Hughes, who owned the badge that is the Daily Mirror’s icon, worked at nearly every newspaper in Los Angeles: The Times, the Record, the Express, the Herald, the Examiner … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Obituaries | Comments Off on Sid Hughes dies at 50; the Daily Mirror mourns

Found on EBay — vintage golf club

Posted on November 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, golf equipment at B.H. Dyas Co., Jan. 29, 1929. This is a Walker Cup "rainbow face" driver that was sold at the B.H. Dyas store in Los Angeles. Bidding starts at $9.99. The B.H. Dyas Co. opened in 1914 … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | 1 Comment

Peace — November 11, 1918

Posted on November 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

In February 1993, I found a box of old letters at the Salvation Army store in Pasadena. The price — $148 — was based on the alleged value of the stamps, which were quite ordinary. The letters turned out to … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Front Pages | 2 Comments

Rams win against Falcons, November 11, 1968

Posted on November 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Oh! What a Lovely War," 1969 The 1968 Rams weren’t known for their offense and things hit a low point at Atlanta. But the Rams had enough defense to edge the Falcons, 17-10. It just wasn’t pretty. Jack Pardee returned … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports | Comments Off on Rams win against Falcons, November 11, 1968

Dodgers cut back on day games — November 11, 1958

Posted on November 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

  It took only one season in Los Angeles for the Dodgers to shift their hours later. The team’s 1959 schedule almost eliminated day baseball at the Coliseum. The Times’ Frank Finch said the team would have a record number … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — Williams and Walker

Posted on November 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Sheet music of a song performed by Bert Williams and George Walker turned up on EBay. Bidding starts at $24.99, which seems a bit steep to me, but I don’t follow prices on old sheet music. Then again, maybe not. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Stage | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Williams and Walker

Voices — Miriam Makeba, 1932 – 2008

Posted on November 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times ‘MAMA AFRICA’: Makeba’s evocative 2005 performance in Los Angeles connected powerfully with audience members. A spiritual experience South African singer Miriam Makeba’s last L.A. appearance (or is it?) is flowing with style … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Rams win 56-7 over 49ers, November 10, 1958

Posted on November 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Bell, Book and Candle" opens and Gene Kelly says he’s taking a hit show to Broadway, "Flower Drum Song."  http://www.clipser.com/Play?vid=61438"Bell, Book and Candle"     The 1958 Rams were nearly too popular. That’s one explanation for the Rams drawing only … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Rams win 56-7 over 49ers, November 10, 1958

Changeling — Finding Christine Collins

Posted on November 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Christine Collins’ residences, as shown on Google Earth. Christine Collins’ addresses in Google maps Dick Morris, a regular Daily Mirror reader, is a skilled researcher and passed along some material on Christine I. Collins. It fills in a few details … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 42 Comments

November 7, 2008: Jews celebrate survival of Holocaust Torah

Posted on November 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times Dr. Joel Kushner, left, and Rabbi Richard N. Levy unroll the Yanov Torah during a ceremony at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion near USC. The Torah survived the Holocaust by being cut … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Religion | Comments Off on November 7, 2008: Jews celebrate survival of Holocaust Torah