Monthly Archives: January 2009

December 10,1958: White mothers bar black child from Cub Scouts

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Who Wants to Kick Little Butch Harris? This is a personal column. Personal to a group of young mothers who probably consider themselves pretty typical American parents. They’re the mothers of 8, 9 and 10-year-old Cub Scouts in Thunderbird Pack … Continue reading →

Posted in 1958, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock — January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Only in L.A. Last week it was John Keats telling everyone what was wrong with Los Angeles. He didn’t like the place at all. He described it as "a vast sprawling slum . . . an incredible clutter without political … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Mash Notes and Comments "Dear Paul Coates, "I am writing to you– "(1) Because I received a beautiful portable typewriter for Christmas; "(2) I have written to all my relatives and friends who live more than five miles … Continue reading →

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Movie star mystery photo

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times photo Our mystery star has more than 100 credits on imdb. Update: These are pictures from the 1936 trial over the custody of Marilyn Astor Thorpe. Mary Astor charged that her ex-husband, Franklyn, wasn’t a fit parent … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystery Photo | 29 Comments

Black Lakers players barred from white hotel, January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times reports that detention facilities for juvenile girls is badly overcrowded but doesn’t really address the reason, merely saying that the rapid increase in Southern California’s population and lack of room at state facilities are to blame. But why … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here’s a real period piece from Bullock’s Wilshire. The vendor, alas, did not include a photo of the label. It’s listed on EBay with bids starting at $19.99.

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Coast Guard rescues passengers of plane crashed at sea, October 18, 1956

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Another Pan Am Stratocruiser goes down, but the 31 people aboard are rescued. Some other flights weren’t so fortunate.

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Coast Guard rescues passengers of plane crashed at sea, October 18, 1956

Matt Weinstock — January 16, 1959

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Saved by the Knell In everybody’s life there is a dark, unforgettable moment when it doesn’t appear he’s going to make it. A downtown group somehow got around to discussing the this topic over coffee, and KenBromfield Jones, Title Insurance … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 16, 1959

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Someday, Butch H., Try to Be Forgiving Some stories I’d rather not print. And when I first heard about what a bunch of grown men and women were doing to a kid named Butch Harris, I filed the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Freeways, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 16, 1959

Voices — Christine Collins, September 28, 1931

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Voices — Christine Collins, September 28, 1931

Wyeth / Nixon

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Jan. 11, 1972: Andrew Wyeth announces he will paint Nixon’s official portrait.   Jan. 12, 1972: The White House repudiates Wyeth’s announcement. Jan. 14, 1972: The Nixon White House says it misspoke itself. Kind of. In 1981, the White House … Continue reading →

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Vivian Leigh cast as Scarlett O’Hara, January 1939

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  On January 14, 1939, The Times published the news that an English actress had been cast in the lead of "Gone With the Wind." Excuse me, but Jean Arthur as Scarlett? Hedda Hopper covers the furious reaction over David … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Religion, Sports | 3 Comments

Found on EBay — Robinson’s

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

A clever little item from J.W. Robinson’s: A combination shoehorn and buttonhook. Listed on EBay with bids starting at $9.99.

Posted in Downtown, Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Robinson’s

Matt Weinstock — January 15, 1959

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Frontier Pusher-Back To newsman John Cornell goes a silent roll of drums, a bugle call and maybe a flag-raising for alertness above and beyond the call of routine. John was banging out a rewrite about Les White, Southland auto dealer, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Dodgers, Freeways, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock — January 15, 1959

Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 15, 1959

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Mother Knows Best (She Says So Herself) REPORT FROM A BOY’S BEST FRIEND: Deep down in the grimy recesses of my mind lives the unreasonable conviction that, in my dear mother’s eyes, I’m a bum. As I say, … Continue reading →

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Elizabeth Short remembered, January 15, 1947

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-382479120564900203&hl=en&fs=true A video I did on the caseseveral years ago. Today is the anniversary of the killing of Elizabeth Short, whose body was found in the 3800 block of South Norton Avenue in 1947. I always do two things in … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Voices — Christine Collins, September 10, 1931

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on Voices — Christine Collins, September 10, 1931

Dodger Stadium — and a Zoo, January 15, 1959

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

A mail bomb loaded with dynamite sits in the post office for three weeks because the victim didn’t leave a forwarding address! Fresh off an apparent victory in getting a downtown stadium for the Dodgers, some City Council members moved … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Overell’s, 1908

Posted on January 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here’s a pin from Overell’s, listed on EBay. Bids start at $14.99.

Posted in Downtown | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Overell’s, 1908

Matt Weinstock — January 14, 1959

Posted on January 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Capricious Electron An engaging stranger named Peter Buchanan came into the office, apologized for taking my time, handed me a typewritten half-sheet of paper and asked me to read it and perhaps check it. It was a theory he had … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Education, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment