Monthly Archives: February 2010

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 13, 1951: Edith Head, the Paramount designer, says: "I don't know why I'm so happy these days unless it's because I've found a waist smaller than Veronica Lake's." The 21 1/2-inch waist belongs to Jan Sterling, Hedda Hopper … Continue reading →

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Home-Schooler Goes to Jail

Posted on February 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 21, 1959: Dr. R. Bernard Finch escorts police and reporters in a tour of the crime scene in West Covina.  Newsmen at the courtroom door peep through a crack to get … Continue reading →

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New Studio Signs Stars, Plans Complex Near Culver City

Posted on February 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

 “Oh, Man!” by Clare Briggs. Location sleuth, Feb. 13, 1920: “A section of Chinatown was practically remodeled early this week to conform to the exigencies of ‘The Heart of a Child,' from Frank Danby's novel, which is Nazimova's current Metro … Continue reading →

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Family Searches for Artist Driven Insane by Painting Frescoes

Posted on February 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Times’ editorializes on Valentine’s Day, of which it is much in favor.  “Think back — think away back along the track of the wild years to the day when you sent your first valentine." Feb. 13, 1910: Fresco painter … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 12, 1960

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Hollywood Countdown     Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin, retired Army chief of research and development, related wryly yesterday that MGM almost launched the nation's first satellite in 1957.     Producer Andy Stone, he recalled, was bringing out a movie about … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 12, 1960

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  If Jack Paar is remembered at all, it’s for walking off the “Tonight” show (yes, he returned). From watching him as a kid, I remember him as being urbane but volatile – a curious combination. Minnie, 83, and Young … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates, Television | 1 Comment

Jim Murray – Requiem for a Buddy

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 12, 1980: A Jim Murray turn of phrase, “When you talk about love affairs, you start with theirs. They made Romeo and Juliet look like enemies.”

Posted in Columnists, Sports | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 12, 1950: William Holden tells Hedda Hopper, "It's up to the producers. You know stars are made by them before they're made by the public. And stars are broken by producers before they're broken by the public. Thus it's … Continue reading →

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: Virtually everyone recognized our mystery guest as Louise Beavers. Oct. 27, 1962: Louise Beavers dies at the age of 60.  Nov. 2, 1962: Services for Louise Beavers include her favorite gospel song, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 76 Comments

Confronted With Recording, Finch Says He Wouldn’t Lie

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 22, 1959: Carole Tregoff enters a detectives' office for more questioning in the death of Barbara Jean Finch. Hey, it’s Lena Horne at the Cocoanut Grove. Wouldn’t it be great to … Continue reading →

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Former Minister Accused of Abuse

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Wonder What a Twenty-Two Months-Old Baby Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs.      Feb. 12, 1920: Walter H. Evans, a former Episcopal minister, is accused of extreme cruelty by his wife, who said she even wrote his sermons for him … Continue reading →

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A Humiliating Night in Jail

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 12, 1910: John L. Grant and his wife, Margie, are in jail on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, accused of selling their five-year lease and the furniture in a rooming house at 1401 N. Winfield … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 11, 1960

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A Visit From Ptex     After an absence of several years, Tex, or as he prefers to spell it, Ptex, dropped in the other day to say hello.  He brought with him, as he usually does, a great idea. … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 11, 1960

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A Woman Pays, Pays and Pays for Nothing     The word is blackmail, and you don't know what it means until it happens to you.     Mrs. Anita Roddy-Eden Sutton said it happened to her on the third day … Continue reading →

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The Specials at the Whisky

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 11, 1980: The long-awaited merger of punk and reggae is message, mirth and mayhem, Richard Cromelin says.

Posted in Music, Nightclubs, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on The Specials at the Whisky

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 11, 1949: Wedding bells for Clark Gable and Joan Crawford? Hedda Hopper says no.

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

Finch Shows How He Cracked Wife’s Skull

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Dr. R. Bernard Finch passes co-defendant Carole Tregoff while returning to his chair after a court recess. The State Board of Education clears a Van Nuys teacher who was charged with … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Education, Homicide | 3 Comments

Caring for Stolen Car

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

“When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs. [Note: The issue of child labor is a rare departure for Briggs, who usually kept his material humorous—lrh]. Feb. 11, 1920:  Roy Mitchell denies stealing a car. Notice that The Times … Continue reading →

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Woman Refuses to Testify Against Husband in Prostitution Case

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 11, 1910: A.C. Berchtold, onetime head of the police "purity squad," is found hiding in the closet when detectives serve a search warrant on Myrtle Booth. "His costume was not suitable for a polite social call," The Times … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 10, 1960

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Recollectors     Reading the testimony in the Finch trial, I am again filled with awe and admiration for those who can remember exactly where they were standing and what they were thinking when they heard the fatal shot or … Continue reading →

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