Monthly Archives: December 2009

Pastor Accused of Stealing Church Funds, Eloping With Choir Member

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1909: I had a difficult time picking a story this morning because the entire page is fascinating. First there’s the pastor from a small town in Indiana who is accused of stealing money from his church and eloping with … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, health, LAPD, Religion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 21, 1959

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Death in December     The National Safety Council has focused its apprehension this Christmas on the office party.  Before me as I write this is its Drinking and Driving Fact Sheet, a sobering document.    It begins, "During 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Matt Weinstock, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 21, 1959

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Tokyo Rose Story Stirs Up Little Ire     If you're a newspaperman, it's nice to stay in the good graces of your readers.  But it's not essential.     There's no hard-and-fast rule in journalism that the customer is always … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 21, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Dec. 21, 1958: Jeffrey Hunter says of making “The Last Hurrah”: “Working with Spencer Tracy was great. Some of the most telling scenes between me and my wife, played by Diane Foster, had to be cut out in editing … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Christmas 1608

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  "The General Historie of Virginia, New England and the Summer Islands," on display at the Huntington Library. "Sleeping in his boat, accidentallie one fired his powder bag, which tore the flesh from his body and thighes, nine or ten … Continue reading →

Posted in books, broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

Voices – Erich von Stroheim

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 21, 1919: Edwin Schallert profiles Erich von Stroheim and talks about his new film, "Blind Husbands."  “Everything Stroheim does is [characterization]; he can't talk to you for five minutes without starting to act.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Officials Seek Location for Aviation Meet

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 21, 1909: The racetrack at Santa Anita is eliminated as a place for the aviation meet because there are too many trees. “The site which appears to meet with most favor is on the Pacific Electric and … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Officials Seek Location for Aviation Meet

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1957: (While Miss Hopper is away, column is being compiled by her staff). Preston Sturges is in Paris writing a screenplay on the most fabulous swindler of our era, F. Donald Coster. Story is based on New Yorker … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Last Civil War Veteran Dies at 117

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1959: “Peanuts” characters not only discuss Christmas, but they go to church.     W.N. Chandler decorates his home at 13060 Otsego St. for Christmas. 13060 Otsego St., Sherman Oaks, via Google maps’ street view. “What do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Front Pages, Obituaries, Politics, Religion, Sports | 2 Comments

Prison for Drunk Driving

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Dome Cafe has a New Year’s dance contest!   Dec. 20, 1919: People convicted of drunk driving may go to prison, starting Jan. 1, 1920.

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Prison for Drunk Driving

Fire Roars Through Lumber Yard, Threatens Homes

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 20, 1909: A fire apparently started by a homeless person roars through a lumber yard and a factory that made doors and window sashes, spreading to an adjoining rooming house and a home. About 50 horses were … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Downtown | Comments Off on Fire Roars Through Lumber Yard, Threatens Homes

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 19, 1959

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  On Eucalyptus Trees     On a distinct hill, eucalyptus trees are things of beauty, particularly to roving artists, who depict them standing as graceful sentinels against the sky.  Up close as in your backyard, phooey!  In a strong wind … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Dec. 19, 1959

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

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment     (Form letter)  "Kind Friends —     "A joyous year of rich fulfillment to you all!     "A severely bitten hand (received when a frightened little dog at our shelter misunderstood my attempts to feed … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 19, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 19, 1956: Burl Ives, who played Big Daddy on stage in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" will repeat his characterization on screen. Burl has also been chosen by Don Hartman to play the father in Eugene O'Neill's … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Writer Blacklisted by Mistake Clears His Name

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

    “Super-Sonic Hell Creatures No Weapons Can Destroy!” “The Killer Shrews” [What? Only 3 stars on imdb?]  and “The Giant Gila Monster” [2.8 stars on imdb?] now playing at the Avenue Drive-In in Downey!  And of course that Mr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Deceived Woman Kills Herself

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Beauty and everyday usefulness of aluminum utensils are bound to be appreciated. Dec. 19, 1919: Muriel McMunn kills herself after discovering that she was deceived into marrying a streetcar conductor who claimed to be an Army investigator and vanished shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Suicide | 1 Comment

On the Frontiers of Medicine

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Receiving Hospital cot where more than 600 died. Dec. 19, 1909: “Within a few days the old rubber-covered cot at the Receiving Hospital in the Central Police Station will be removed, and a new and more sanitary operating stand … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, health, LAPD | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Medicine

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 18, 1959

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Code 3     Late one afternoon about two weeks ago, as Jack Fuller was driving past Pico Blvd. and Roxbury Dr., en route home from his job at the Hollywood office of civil defense, he saw a commotion inside the … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Dec. 18, 1959

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 18, 1959

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Captain Is Dedicated to Prisoners' Return     Capt. Eugene R. Guild, U.S. Army (ret.), has a few close friends in his home town of Glenwood Springs, Colo.     Townfolk shy away from him.  He's a distinguished looking man, clean … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 18, 1959

A Kinder Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 18, 1955: Hedda Hopper is named one of The Times’ Women of the Year!

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment