Monthly Archives: October 2009

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

  Oct. 20, 1947: “Forever Amber” is opening Oct. 29. With great music by David Raksin. March 21, 1945: Author Kathleen Winsor tells veteran Times columnist Timothy G. Turner that she’s tired of people asking whether “Forever Amber” is autobiographical.

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Caryl Chessman Wins Delay

  Oct. 21, 1959: Caryl Chessman gets a stay of execution.

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President Asks Court to Halt Steel Strike

Oct. 20, 1959: No clemency for Caryl Chessman, governor says … Calling it a sad day for America, President Eisenhower tells the Justice Department to seek a federal injunction to halt a strike by the United Steelworkers of America.    … Continue reading

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Man Sues for Divorce, Claims Wife Had Affair With Stepson

  Above, the woman at the center of the divorce case, Helen Elwood Stokes, Oct. 25, 1919. Oct. 20, 1919: W.E.D. “Weddie” Stokes Jr. says he had an affair with his stepmother. She later brought a $1-million lawsuit against him … Continue reading

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Woman May Be Seated as Juror

Oct. 20, 1909: Johanna Engleman may become California’s first woman juror. I’ll try to find a more legible copy of this story. Johanna Engleman of Santa Monica almost became the state’s first woman juror, but was removed by a peremptory … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, Oct. 19, 1959

Desert Beachcomber After a long time, I crossed orbits again the other day with Peter O’Crotty, writer, beachcomber and enthusiastic fugitive from civilization.  Pete, a fun-loving, charming gentleman to whom crazy things are always happening — with his help, it … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 19, 1959

Paul is still on vacation … Oct. 19, 1959: A woman who may have a bad case of “nerves” yells constantly at her 4-year-old daughter … And a woman whose husband keeps telling people about her  “horrible mistake” and her … Continue reading

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Supreme Court OKs Dodger Stadium

Oct. 19, 1959: Few attend Errol Flynn’s funeral … "Men will walk on the moon before there is a woman president," says Mrs. Claire B. Williams, assistant chairman of the Republican National Committee in charge of women's activities. Dodger Stadium … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Oct. 19, 1946: “Brief Encounter” is playing at the Esquire.

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Errol Flynn’s Body Arrives in Los Angeles

Oct. 19, 1959: Errol Flynn’s body arrives at Union Station. No mourners or crowds greeted the arrival of Errol Flynn’s body, just the folks from Forest Lawn and a few reporters. Beverly Aadland was groomed for show business starting at … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Judge Bars Gambling on Ships

June 5, 1939: A full-page ad for the S.S. Rex. Oct. 19, 1939: A judge grants a preliminary injunction barring gambling on ships beyond the three-mile limit.

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An Unlikely Film Idol

  Oct. 19, 1919: What actor is setting ladies’ hearts aflutter? Why it’s Ben Turpin, who says: “Never let your right eye know what your left is doing.”

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Doctor Charged With Illegally Prescribing Drugs

  Dr. G.W. Finch is arrested on charges of illegally prescribing morphine to drug addicts.

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Lunch With the Daily Mirror

  Photograph by Navid Nonahal / Los Angeles Times Oct. 17, 2009: We had a festive time on Saturday at Philippe, discussing Los Angeles history, vintage movies, the true origin of the French dip sandwich and tips on blogging.  I … Continue reading

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Location Sleuth – ‘Double Indemnity’

The Home Section featured the “Double Indemnity” house, now owned by Mae Brunken. I thought it would be interesting to compare the actual home with the way it was re-created as a set. The script describes it as " Spanish … Continue reading

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October 17, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Earthquake Weather Thursday, when a pink gloom caused by the brush fire and the smog engulfed the city, a man on Broadway remarked, “Hey, this is almost like earthquake weather!” It’s a phrase rarely heard these days, and evoked memories … Continue reading

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Tent Revival in El Monte

A.A. Allen stages a tent revival in El Monte, with faith healing. Oct. 17, 1959: Dear True Love, wait until the Shangri Las release “The Leader of the Pack.”

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Errol Flynn Called Teenage Lover ‘Little Wood Nymph’

Oct. 17, 1959: Florence Aadland releases Errol Flynn’s love letters to her teenage daughter, Beverly. Flynn called her his "little wood nymph” and “Woodsie.”

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

  Oct. 17, 1944: A screen kiss between Paul Henreid and Hedy Lamarr in “The Conspirators” lasts for 42 feet of film, according to Rudi Fehr, a man who keeps track of such things.

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Lunch With the Daily Mirror – Oct. 17

  Our lunch gatherings at Philippe have been so enjoyable that I thought it would be fun to have another. We’re shooting for Saturday, Oct. 17, at noon in the mass transit/clown alcove. Stop  by and discuss mystery photos, old … Continue reading

Posted in Downtown, Food and Drink | 2 Comments