Monthly Archives: February 2010

Legislators Debate Chessman and Death Penalty

Posted on February 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Feb. 21, 1960: Caryl Chessman, center, after receiving a stay of execution, with attorneys George T. Davis and Rosalie Asher. Feb. 21, 1960: A 60-day stay of execution for Caryl Chessman so the Legislature can … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Photography, RFK | Comments Off on Legislators Debate Chessman and Death Penalty

Waiters Go On Strike

Posted on February 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale on the waiters’ strike. Feb. 21, 1920: The Times satirizes a strike by members of the Southern California Waiters Assn. who wanted a raise of $1 a day [$10.66 USD 2008] and rejected restaurant operators’ … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Food and Drink, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Waiters Go On Strike

Philadelphia Transit Strike Touches Off Riots

Posted on February 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. declared the strike over April 5, 1910.   Feb. 21, 1910: Striking transit workers in Philadelphia dynamite a streetcar and burn or wreck two dozen more. Many strikebreakers brought in from New York are … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages | Comments Off on Philadelphia Transit Strike Touches Off Riots

Found on EBay – Williams and Walker

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

 May 1, 1898: Williams and Walker share the stage with McIntyre and Heath at the Orpheum.  “Dora Dean,” a song by Bert Williams and George Walker, has been listed on EBay. Many people are familiar with Williams and Walker but … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Stage | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Williams and Walker

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 20, 1960

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Please! My Life Is in Danger!”   Mediator in Middle     The smoldering dispute between newspapermen and TV reporters over coverage of interviews almost broke out again this week at the press conference for labor Secretary James M. Mitchell.  Newspapermen … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Feb. 20, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 20, 1960

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Legal Revenge Not Dead Yet     I read Gov. Brown's reasons for giving Caryl Chessman a 60-day reprieve yesterday, but I'm not sure that I believe them.     He indicated that he felt  the climate in California had changed … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 20, 1960

Carter Calls on Iran to Free Hostages

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 20, 1980:  Storms kill 22 people across the Southland, including 13 in Los Angeles County. President Carter demands that Iran release 53 American hostages, then in their 108th day of captivity,  and the Fed raises interest rates to … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Politics | Comments Off on Carter Calls on Iran to Free Hostages

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 20, 1958: Hedda Hopper says, “[Michael] Todd and Liz flying all over Europe in their own plane. No, he's not at the controls.”

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

Voices — Alexander Haig, 1924 – 2010

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

"As of now, I am in control here in the White House pending return of the vice president and (I am) in close touch with him." — Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Jr.,on the transfer of power after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Politics | 2 Comments

1910 Auto Show

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 20, 1910: The Auto Show at Fiesta Park featured nearly 200 cars. An enormous tent was built at the park and redwood limbs were used to disguise the uprights so that the entire show resembled a forest. There are … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on 1910 Auto Show

Artist’s Notebook: Grand Central Market

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Grand Central Market” by Marion Eisenmann Marion Eisenmann and I made an art excursion to Grand Central Market on Broadway last year so she could try out a new Tradio pen on some sketch paper, but she wasn’t happy with … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Downtown, Food and Drink, Marion Eisenmann | Comments Off on Artist’s Notebook: Grand Central Market

Found on EBay — Broadway and 6th

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

This postcard view looking north on Broadway from 6th Street, showing the Los Angeles Examiner Building and the Pantages Theater, has been listed on EBay. The vendor guesses that the photograph was taken in the 1930s, but I suspect it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Broadway and 6th

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 19, 1960

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

Prison Sounds       As this was written, Caryl Chessman's date with death was still undecided. But as time was running out for him yesterday a man who was once No. 69883 in San Quentin reminiscently recalled the case of … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Feb. 19, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 19, 1960

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment       (Press Release) "More and more cities are using police dogs — for police duty, natch.       "Pittsburgh, Houston, St. Louis and Minneapolis are among the cities which have found that a good, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 19, 1960

The Old Woman of the Freeway

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 19, 1980: I had forgotten about this wonderful mural until I came across Suzanne Muchnic’s feature about Kent Twitchell. “The Old Woman of the Freeway” on the Prince Hotel in Echo Park was painted over in 1986 … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on The Old Woman of the Freeway

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 19, 1957: Hedda Hopper says, “Dick Widmark, back from England after locationing for 'Saint Joan,' in which he played the Dauphin, says, 'We had bad weather throughout the entire stay. I took a flat when I first went … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo Update: As many people guessed, this is Anna Sten, above, in a 1932 publicity photo.     Anna Sten; Actress Imported by Goldwyn Tuesday November 16, 1993 By MYRNA OLIVER, TIMES STAFF WRITER … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystery Photo, Photography | 54 Comments

Governor Halts Chessman Execution

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Caryl Chessman is prepared for the gas chamber, but gets a last-minute reprieve – for now.  Vice President Richard Nixon visits the winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. An experiment in composting, “one of the disposal systems of the future.” … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Environment, Front Pages, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Governor Halts Chessman Execution

‘Borax King’s’ Divorce Goes to Judge

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  "Wonder What the Girl on the Magazine Cover Thinks About?" by Clare Briggs.   Feb. 19, 1920: The Times summarizes the main points in the divorce trial of Thomas Thorkildsen, the “Borax King,” as the case goes to the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics | Comments Off on ‘Borax King’s’ Divorce Goes to Judge

Streetcar Crossings Pose Danger

Posted on February 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Feb. 19, 1910: A Board of Public Utilities meeting focuses on the dangers of speeding streetcars at crossings on the Pacific Electric right of way from 8th Street to Vernon Avenue on the Long Beach line.  “ ‘It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Streetcar Crossings Pose Danger