Monthly Archives: February 2010

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 10, 1960

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

A Pugilist's Destiny Is in His Hands     I won't kid you.  I'm embarrassed.     For years I've been writing, here, about the evils of boxing.  If you check the files, you'll see that I've called it a racket infested … Continue reading →

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Charles Champlin on ‘Cruising’

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Feb. 10, 1980: Charles Champlin writes, “The principal complaint, artistically, about 'Cruising' is that it is not very clear at the rudimentary level of exposition of character and event. The problem, as with [William] Friedkin's 'Sorcerer,' which … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Film, 1965

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Now showing, a Peter Cushing double feature: “Curse of Frankenstein” and “Horror of Dracula.”  Feb. 10, 1965: Also opening, “Two on a Guillotine.” Directed by William Conrad!

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Film, 1965

Recalling the Days of Payola

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  I was  "blown away" today to see my dad on the front page of the Mirror News. My dad, Norm Prescott, was a big DJ in Boston and New York. We all moved to Los Angeles in 1966. The … Continue reading →

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Finch Trial Focuses on Victim’s Will

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times [Update: Feb. 10, 1960: Carole Tregoff wears a pink sweater her mother made for her because the courtroom was so cold]. Feb. 10, 1960: Q: Now let me ask you this, Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | Comments Off on Finch Trial Focuses on Victim’s Will

‘A Certain Infection’ in ‘Borax King’ Divorce Trial

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Ain’t It a Grand and Glorious Feelin’?” by Clare Briggs. Feb. 10, 1920: More revelations in the divorce trial of “Borax King” Thomas Thorkildsen. Notice how daintily The Times treats this issue: "…the woman was the donor and the man … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, health | Comments Off on ‘A Certain Infection’ in ‘Borax King’ Divorce Trial

Teenage War Hero Arrested in Los Angeles

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 10, 1910: The Times reports the adventures of Ian (possibly Jan) Koutnik, described as a “hero of the Czech-Slovak troops.” Young Ian, loose in the city en route to be adopted in Chicago,  was arrested on suspicion of … Continue reading →

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Strongheart, Dog Sheik of the Movies

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 2, 1925, Strongheart, the dog sheik of the movies.

Posted in Animals, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Strongheart, Dog Sheik of the Movies

The Underbelly of California

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Christina House / For The Times Richard Rayner at the Festival of Books, 2009 If you have a good memory, you may recall a panel at last year’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on “The Underbelly of California,” moderated … Continue reading →

Posted in books, LAPD | Comments Off on The Underbelly of California

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 9, 1960

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Urge to Kill     On his return from lunch a few days ago a doctor was told by his nurse that a man was waiting to see him.  "Send him in," he said.  The patient, a young man, had been … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 9, 1960

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A Gang-Shy Kid Has Me Stymied but Good     On his way home from playing hooky a 15-year-old city boy named Tony stopped by my office yesterday.  He wanted to interview me, he said, for a paper he was … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Feb. 9, 1947: Hedda Hopper says, “During his marriage days, I've seen Jack [Carson] wipe the grease paint off after a hard day's shooting and say, 'Well, now I've got to go home and put on $1,000 worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ Premieres at the Sports Arena

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 9, 1980: Robert Hilburn writes, “This production, which continues through Wednesday before moving to New York for its only other American staging, is more than just another night of rock 'n' roll. It's something the band's fans … Continue reading →

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Finch Describes Other Affairs

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 21, 1959: Dr. R. Bernard Finch at the West Covina police station after being arrested. Negro History Week is Feb. 7-13. Feb. 9, 1960: In addition to exhaustive coverage of the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

A Bungalow Above Broadway

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Wonder What a Candidate for the Third Degree Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs. [Briggs is referring to the Masons, in case you’re wondering].      Feb. 9, 1920: Walter P. Story has built a bungalow on top of his building … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, art and artists, Comics | Comments Off on A Bungalow Above Broadway

Through the Lens – Aviation Meet

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo Jan. 12, 1910, Louis Paulhan sets an altitude record. Los Angeles Times file photo Jan. 12, 1910: Many photos from the Aviation Meet show a balloon advertising the Los Angeles Examiner. Someone at The Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Transportation | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 8, 1960

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

Economics and Justice     Eunice Carlisle happened to be in the courthouse on another matter a few days ago when Dr. R. Bernard Finch told all and she was unavoidably caught in the crush and excitement.  She also was appalled … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 8, 1960

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Who Does He Think He Is — Grandpa?       Traditionally — or, at least, since the advent of the comic strip — the most maligned member of the American family unit is the mother-in-law.     It is ritual in … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 8, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Feb. 8, 1946: Hedda Hopper writes, "Twentieth is readying 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir' for Rex Harrison's next."

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

UCLA’s Larry Brown

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

       Feb. 8, 1980:  Mike Littwin writes,  “On a scale of 1 to 10 for unpredictability, Larry Brown's brief tenure as UCLA basketball coach already rates a Bo Derek. "For two reasons. First, although UCLA assumed its usual … Continue reading →

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