Monthly Archives: December 2009

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Daria Massey in a photo by Bernard of Hollywood. “Pretty 18-year-old Daria Massey, a former child actress in such films as ‘The Miracle of Fatima,’ ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ and ‘The Iron … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 40 Comments

Antiwar Film Premieres Around the World

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Stanley Kramer's “On the Beach” opens in 18 countries. "Linus Pauling, a Nobel Prize winner: 'It may be that someday we can look back and say 'On the Beach' is the picture that saved the world." The movie that … Continue reading →

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Location Sleuth — Update

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

The opening of “The High Sign.” Peter Mullan writes in, citing the research of John Bengtson, who suggests that the carousel used in “The High Sign” was at the Pike, a huge amusement park in Long Beach. I’m not sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Women Accused of Performing Abortions

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 19, 1916: Lila Atherton is arrested on charges of performing abortions at 2217 S. Hoover. Dec. 18, 1919: Abortions are again allegedly being conducted at 2217 S. Hoover. Dec. 20, 1919: Sarah J. Williams denies performing an abortion on … Continue reading →

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Man Accused of Decapitating Woman

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 18, 1909: The Times publishes a gruesome story from Chippewa Falls, Wis., about a man called “Crazy Ole” who is accused of shooting Mrs. Peter Shirley in the head and then decapitating her.  The woman’s 3-year-old daughter says: … Continue reading →

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December 17, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Forgotten Men As you probably read, film director, Joseph Von Sternberg has sued Fox for $1 million, charging the 1959 version of “The Blue Angel” with May Britt and Curt Jurgens was made without his consent and was inferior to … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

December 17, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

We Have Living Dead Living in Red China Historically, war is a cold fact of life. And one of its most terrifying aspects is that some men conscripted by their nations to fight are swallowed up and lost in its … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Dec. 17, 1954: Otto Preminger would like to team up Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge after “Carmen Jones,” but “Porgy and Bess” is tied up.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Gangster Killed in Ambush

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Gov. Brown cites a projected $70-million surplus, says he'll propose no new taxes. Fred Whalen admits hitting Tony Reno, who was sitting with Mickey Cohen at Rondelli's restaurant when Whalen's son, Jack, was killed.   Dean “The Love Bug” … Continue reading →

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A Renaissance in Filmmaking

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  An ad for "Strictly Confidential" says, “Renaissance of Motion Pictures: Goldwyn has reclaimed the motion picture from the moneymaking mechanics of industry and restored it to its pedestal as one of the greatest arts. Masterful craftsmanship in direction, absolute … Continue reading →

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Man Who Was Declared Dead Returns After 10-Year Absence

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Christian Scientist Church in Pasadena, designed by Franklin P. Burnham.    Franklin P. Burnham also designed the Georgia State Capitol and many civic buildings in Southern California.     Dec. 17, 1909: Henry E. Christopher returns to Fresno after … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 16, 1959

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Thought-Wave Arrest     While making a routine inspection of a Sunset Blvd. tavern, Jack Zumstein and Adolphus Miles, supervising public health sanitarians (yes, that's the correct title), were heckled by a customer who clearly had overindulged.     When they … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 16, 1959

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mother Wants Probe on Case of Missing GI The U.S. government says that Donald Sybrant is dead.  It lists him as one of the 142,000 casualties of the Korean war.It first reported him missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 16, 1953: “Sam Fuller has about finished writing a screen story that begins where "Mogambo" leaves off. Some of the African scenes about which he told me were hair-raising. What a character Sammy is! Dynamic, forceful and fearless. … Continue reading →

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Shooting Victim’s Father Accused of Seeking Revenge

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Tony Reno says he was attacked by Fred Whalen, the father of shooting victim Jack “the Enforcer” Whalen. Dec. 16, 1959: Vice President Richard Nixon holds a wide margin among Republican voters over all other GOP contenders in the … Continue reading →

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Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

2215 Long Beach Ave., via Google maps’ street view. Sept. 16, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit 2215 Long Beach Ave. Note: The original run of Nuestro Pueblo ended in 1939. I’m going back and picking up the ones … Continue reading →

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World’s First Wireless Phone?

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Texting is next!  Dec. 16, 1909:  The Times reports that disagreement over education and missionaries has been resolved on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. “The ruling faction at Oraibi is well content to be included in the progress of … Continue reading →

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The healer

Posted on December 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 20. 1957, Los Angeles Tent revivals are nothing new in Los Angeles–they have been going on for a century. But by any standards, Oral Roberts’ crusades were sensational events. The televangelist staged his first Southern California revival from … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 15, 1959

Posted on December 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Censorship Reverberations     The action of Principal Walter Larsh of Venice High School in banning "The New Pocket Anthology of American Verse" from an 11th grade English classroom is reverberating among teachers.     The book, available at drugstores and newsstands … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 15, 1959

Posted on December 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

  That Limp-Brain Gang Is on the Loose Again     Last week, late one afternoon, a ringing phone snapped the quiet of a typical home in this town.     The man of the house, who had just come in from … Continue reading →

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