Monthly Archives: December 2009

December 11, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Youth Bought Death for Nickel a Game     I have never met a man who dropped $4,000 pitching pennies, but I guess it’s possible.  Because last week I talked to one who estimates that he has lost, in the past … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Dec. 11, 1948: Deborah Kerr has gone to New York to do a final scene for "Edward My Son." It could not be shot here because Ian Hunter, who appears in the scene, can't leave his Broadway play. ”Strippers … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update – Signe Hasso, May 11, 1941. As most people realized, this is Signe Hasso, who died in 2002 at the age of 86.   Just a reminder on how this works: I post … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 37 Comments

Texas a Gateway for Drugs From Mexico, Officials Say

Walter W. Williams, 117, the last living Civil War veteran, is in critical condition.   “Dear Jesus, I am writing to you instead of Santa because you are what Christmas is. I would like to say before we all forget … Continue reading

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Man Dies in Treatment for Freckles

  Knox hats and caps at Alexander and Oviatt. Dec. 14, 1919: George Blaha was given a fatal dose of chloroform by his mother-in-law? Dec. 17, 1919: An unusually large amount of chloroform and carbolic acid was found in Blaha’s … Continue reading

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Hanukkah, 1909

 Los Angeles Times file photo Temple B’nai B’rith, Hope and 9th streets.      Dec. 11, 1909: “The Hanukkah teaches us to be true to our colors as a religious entity; to shield, protect and safeguard our spiritual heritage for … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 10, 1959

Christmas Story It's about that time again so, as the saying goes, let's see if we can jerk a few tears.     A couple with four children have been in serious financial difficulty since the father was injured recently and … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 10, 1959

  Creative Writing as Created in Flackdom     Tributes have been made to outstanding individuals in just about every field of endeavor, but nobody has ever come out to honor the hard working press agent.    That's why I'm here today. … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

    Dec. 10, 1947: Peggy Cleary's restaurant, Talk O’ the Town, gets plenty of talk, especially on Wednesday nights when she shows old pictures. Last week "The Covered Wagon" was shown there and had the crowds roaring. The screen … Continue reading

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Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Whalen Killing

Mickey Cohen says: "I'm a lover, not a fighter." Sandy Hashagen says going steady with Mickey Cohen for 14 days gave her a police record and cost her a job as a dancer in Las Vegas.. Adjusted for inflation, these … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, #opera, classical music, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Sports | Comments Off on Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Whalen Killing

Cost of Living at a Historic High

   “Oh, Man – and Woman!” by Clare Briggs April 3, 1920: Former bank executive Frank A. Vanderlip says the American economy is unsound. "Unrestrained extravagance is our national keynote, and the capital of the smaller capitalists, when it isn't … Continue reading

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Rain Floods Downtown Streets

  A young woman gets carried across a flooded street at Jefferson and Grand.   Dec. 10, 1909: “There are few sights funnier than a large crowd on the streets during a heavy downpour. Such was the case yesterday. During … Continue reading

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December 9, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Dialing Chessman Francois de Montfort, correspondent for Ici Paris, is in Hollywood having a look at the movie making.  As he arrived on the set of “Strangers When We Meet” to interview Kim Novak the other day, he told publicist … Continue reading

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December 9, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Wacky Tony’s Story: ‘I Killed Jack Whalen’ I take stories as they come.  And yesterday’s came by phone. “My name is Tony,” the caller told me.  “I’m going to give you a story and you’re going to give me protection.” … Continue reading

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Dec. 9, 1946: “The Edgar Bergens poured last night after christening their daughter, Candy. They not only served cocktails, but also dinner. The Bergens don't give many parties, but when they do, they're good.” ps. Macdonald Carey is “hubba-hubba … Continue reading

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President’s Pilot Worries About Trip to Afghanistan

“Remember, leave your blood at the Red Cross, not on the highway,” says Capt. Dan Mathews of "Highway Patrol." Air pollution is linked to lung ailments. “Take a Giant Step” opens. And I’ve added to my Netflix queue. Dec. 9, … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics, Transportation | 3 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo

  Broadway between 1st and Temple, looking toward Hill Street. Oct. 20, 1943: A fire destroys Court Flight.  Sept. 14, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Court Flight, another long-vanished downtown landmark. Today, the Hall of Records is also … Continue reading

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Judge Clears Way for Deportation of Revolutionaries

  Dec. 9, 1919: A judge dismisses writs of habeas corpus for Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman, clearing the way for them to be deported to the Soviet Union as undesirable revolutionaries. The judge grants a temporary delay so that … Continue reading

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Mules for Sale

  Dec. 9, 1909: Mules are for sale at 1782 E. Main Street, autos at 747-749 S. Spring. Los Angeles traffic in this era consisted of streetcars, horse-drawn vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. It was an interesting time. My … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 8, 1959

      Crankcase Breather     As you may have read, the Automobile Manufacturers Assn. a few days ago announces the development of a device which would eliminate "substantial" amounts of smog-causing auto exhaust.     The fumes, it stated, would be … Continue reading

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