Monthly Archives: December 2008

Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Venta will return and be resurrected." Known as "the barefoot people." Above, followers of Krishna Venta describe life at the Fountain of the World religious compound and the bombing that killed 10 people. "A tower of blue and white flame … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | Comments Off on Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

December 11, 1938: Breakfast of death; voodoo cult killings

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

December 10, 1938: I defy anyone to insist that the past was “a kinder, simpler time” after reading this page. But don’t take my word for it — see for yourself.

Posted in #courts, 1938, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on December 11, 1938: Breakfast of death; voodoo cult killings

Retro holiday gift — Yankees vs. Tigers, 1934

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

http://www.archive.org/flow/FlowPlayerLight.swf Of course, you could buy this broadcast, but it’s free on archive.org. Listening to a 74-year-old baseball game may not be everybody’s idea of entertainment, but it’s fun to hear the announcer talk about Hank Greenberg and Lou Gehrig … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Sports | 1 Comment

Flying saucer found in man’s garage

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

After 38 years, a "lost" Hollywood artifact with a truly cosmic history has resurfaced and, no surprise, it’s headed straight for the auction block. This Thursday, Dec. 11, the iconic flying saucer from the 1956 MGM classic "Forbidden Planet" will … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Stage, UFOs | 3 Comments

Dodgers’ move pays off at the gate, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Wow! Luger cuff links and matching tie clip. I mean … wow!–lrh At left, a pair from an old EBay auction. I’ll see if any more turn up. Just for the heck of it. The Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Fashion, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers’ move pays off at the gate, December 10, 1958

Cult leader killed in bombing of religious compound, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

American history presented as a lavish pageant, the only film directed by Anthony Quinn, who took over from the ailing  Cecil B. DeMille. With a great score by Elmer Bernstein. An ad published in The Times shortly before the explosion. … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — Florentine Gardens

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s one of the souvenir photos from the Florentine Gardens that occasionally turns up on EBay. It’s listed as Buy It Now for $15.99.

Posted in Nightclubs | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Florentine Gardens

Found on EBay — Bullocks Wilshire

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s still another Irene Lentz outfit from Bullocks Wilshire listed on EBay. It’s listed as Buy It Now for $698.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Bullocks Wilshire

Arsonists set fire to university offices, Colts win over Rams, December 9, 1968

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

  The Rams were supposed to beat the Chicago Bears and then face the Baltimore Colts to determine the division championship. But a series of mistakes — and the Bears — got in the way as the Rams lost, 17-16. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Education, Front Pages, Politics, San Fernando Valley, Sports | 2 Comments

Mayor refuses to give Senate committee secret files on LAPD funds, December 9, 1938

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles sizzles at 92 degrees and thousands of beach-goers went into the ocean, even though it was 64 degrees. The Soviet weather bureau says the North Pole has been warming up for the last 10 years. Octopus saves student … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo — 1st and Broadway

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch
Posted in art and artists, books, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — 1st and Broadway

Found on EBay — Batchelder tile

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

An EBay vendor is selling the two marked pieces of Batchelder tile at left, which appear to be part of the same design. Both are listed at $9.99, although there is a reserve. The top piece is listed here. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Real Estate | 2 Comments

Senator, 66, to marry beauty queen, 22; baseball commissioner fired, December 8, 1968

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) plans to marry Miss South Carolina, 1965, Nancy Moore. The Times ran a United Press International story predicting big changes for baseball in the wake of owners firing the commissioner, William D. Eckert. Possibilities included: — … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

L.A.’s confusing freeways, December 8, 1958

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Beverly and La Cienega, home of pony rides for two generations of children. I believe Gales was on a different corner. Note the Bible verse and the puzzling editorial cartoon. What was on the minds of Times’ readers in 1958? … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages, health, Transportation | 2 Comments

Nixon White House tapes released

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

From my colleague Andrew Malcom at Top of the Ticket President Nixon still pretty steamed about suspect staff loyalty Hard to believe maybe, but ex-President Richard Nixon is still pretty @&^?:%\%# angry. This guy’s mom may have been a Quaker, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Politics | Comments Off on Nixon White House tapes released

Vintage fashion photos

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Lillian Bassman/Peter Fetterman Gallery From Holly Myers at Culture Monster: Fashion photographer Lillian Bassman, protégée of Harper’s Bazaar designer Alexey Brodovitch and friend to Richard Avedon, rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s but drifted out of the business, … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Fashion | Comments Off on Vintage fashion photos

‘Animal House’ car for sale

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Courtesy Hemmings Motor News This is the Delta Tau Chi "Deathmobile" from "Animal House." Listed for $19,998.             

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Transportation | Comments Off on ‘Animal House’ car for sale

Guard unit loses fight to avoid overseas combat; riot at Forum, December 7, 1968

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Scary night at the Forum, where a riot broke out after a fight. Lionel Rose defeated Chucho Castillo in a split decision to retain the world’s bantamweight boxing title, then fans started throwing what The Times’ Frank Finch called … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Front Pages, Sports | 2 Comments

Meltdown delays U.S. atomic airplane; Rams win over Colts, December 7, 1958

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Longtime viewers of the History Channel (or "The Adolf Channel" as we call it at the Daily Mirror HQ) may have seen a program on the U.S. project to develop an atomic airplane. As you can imagine, a key component … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Science, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Gambling and vice on Central Avenue, December 7, 1938

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

France signs a friendship pact with the Nazis. Dine at Lucca, 5th and Western. Above, a group of African American leaders tells the Police Commission that gambling and prostitution are rampant in the black district along Central Avenue, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Gambling and vice on Central Avenue, December 7, 1938