Monthly Archives: September 2009

Mexican Independence Day

Sept. 14, 1909: From the recording horn. Gen. Antonio Aguilar will preside at Chutes Park for the celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

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Don’t Call Me a Cowgirl

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Beverly Chandler shows her skill in roping in a 1969 photo. Gwen Sharp, who blogs at Sociological Images, picked up the Daily Mirror post on Beverly Chandler, who worked on Rancho Mission Viejo. Gwen … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

  Sept. 13, 1931: Ann Harding in “Devotion” at Carthay Circle. I wonder what they were thinking by reversing the image.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

L.A. Prepares for Khrushchev; Dodgers’ Ron Fairly

Sept. 14, 1959: A robot housekeeper, just like "The Jetsons!" (1962).  Khrushchev is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Sept. 19. Found a gushing photo-feature on the Dodgers' Ron Fairly that read like a time capsule from another city.  " … Continue reading

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Why Cars Don’t Have Running Boards Anymore

Sept. 13, 1919: "That Guiltiest Feeling" by Clare Briggs.   Mr. Huber was spending lots of time on the phone, so his wife decided to investigate, especially since he began talking about it in his sleep.  Mr. Huber told his … Continue reading

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Police Seek to Close Dance Halls

Sept. 13, 1909: Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws Dr. Reinhardt Wernigk. A campaign endorsed by Police Chief Dishman is underway to shut down the dance halls of Los Angeles. The businesses would have already been closed except that they their … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock — Sept. 12, 1959

  "There are a million definitions of public relations. From my own experience in the business, I have found it to be the craft of arranging the truth so that people will like you. Public relations specialists make flower arrangements … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Sept. 12, 1959

Sept. 12, 1959: A setback for the U.S. in the space race and a boost for Nikita Khrushchev as he prepares to visit America.   Dear Know-it-all: I read your smarty remarks about Sen. Dirksen and his plan for him … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Sept. 12, 1930: Do Mr. Drysdale and Miss Jane know about this?   American talking pictures take Paris by storm — and not in the good way. Note to copy desk, it's "revue" not "review." June 20, 1929: Joan Crawford … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Jack L. Warner Ankles Studio; Tough Times for the Padres

Sept. 12, 1969: Al Capp features a wrestling promoter named William Fastbuckley. Jack L. Warner, 77, ends his association with the family studio to concentrate on a Broadway musical titled "Jimmy," starring Frank Gorshin as New York Mayor Jimmy Walker. … Continue reading

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Cabdriver Accused of Attempted Rape

Sept. 12, 1919: Why risk buying a poor hat? "When a Feller Needs a Friend," by Clare Briggs. Cabdriver R.M. Kennedy is accused of trying to rape Sara Revalee, 16. Yes, we identified sexual assault victims back then. And look: … Continue reading

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Man Convicted of Shooting Wife Fights a Team of Officers

Sept. 12, 1909: Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo in Slumberland." McCay's drawings are a mixed blessing. He was a wonderful artist with a fabulous imagination — and he drew this appalling character, Imp. A police automobile speeding on a call crashes … Continue reading

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Artist’s Notebook — Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade by Marion Eisenmann, Sept. 4, 2009 Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade awakens a bit at a time in the sweet coolness of a summer morning near the ocean. Along the darkened strip of gleaming glass and steel … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Music, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

This menu from Bullock's Wilshire, dated 1949, has been listed on EBay. These menus rarely turn up, but there was one from 1946 a few days ago from a different vendor. Bidding starts at $14.95.

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Matt Weinstock, Sept. 11, 1959

Nikita Khrushchev is getting a luxurious suite at the Ambassador Hotel. Wouldn't it be great to go see it? Oh wait, we let L.A. Unified tear down the hotel. 

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Voices: Larry Gelbart, 1928 – 2009

June 17, 1951: How Larry Gelbart got started in show business while he was a student at Fairfax High.   Nov. 25, 1951: Rehearsals of "My L.A.," sketches inspired by Matt Weinstock's book, with a script by Larry Gelbart, Laurence … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | 2 Comments

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Sept. 11, 1959

Actor Paul Douglas dies at the age of 52. "The reading public is seldom aware of the enterprise, imagination, teamwork and tireless digging that goes into the achievement of an exclusive newspaper story. The Mirror News published such a scoop … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Sept. 11, 1929: All talking … singing … dancing! "Broadway Melody." Note Lon Chaney in "Thunder," a film that is now lost.

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

 Los Angeles Times file photo Oct. 23, 1954: Lance Fuller (1928 – 2001) in a publicity shot from Universal. Update: The cool cat is Lance Fuller. Please congratulate Dewey Webb, Michael Christian, Richard Heft and Stacia for identifying him!  At … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 36 Comments

Dangers of Police, Firefighters Unions

 "Wonder What Venus de Milo Thinks About" by Clare Briggs.   The Times editorializes against unions for police officers and firefighters, asking: "Shall we expect union firemen to put out union-set fires?" "Only a few days ago The Times called … Continue reading

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