Monthly Archives: February 2010

Dared to Shoot Herself, Wife Kills Husband

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 8, 1960: Frank D. Brill's last words, "Use your gun. I haven't any use for you. You haven't guts enough to shoot."

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Los Angeles Speedway to Open

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

    A gas station occupies the spot where the track's gateway used to be. Feb. 8, 1920: The Los Angeles Speedway is about to open at Pico Boulevard and Beverly Drive. The property was sold in 1923 to be … Continue reading →

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Skeletal Remains Partially Identified

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  David Dougherty and Frances Young are arrested in Bloomington, Ill, on charges of defying the orders of a Nebraska court by living as man and wife, even though they are uncle and niece.    Feb. 8, 1910: A skeleton … Continue reading →

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Jim Murray on the Olympics

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 7, 1980: Jim Murray writes, “The International Olympic Committee is a body of men made up largely of dukes and earls and lords and millionaires who look at the world through monocles, probably because they do not … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 7, 1945: Hedda Hopper says John Wayne is replacing Robert Taylor in “They Were Expendable,” based on a book by W.L. White.

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Through the Lens – Finch Trial

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times March 5, 1960: Court Clerk Mel La Valley shows items from the so-called murder kit in the Finch trial. I wonder if John Malmin put a light in the briefcase to get … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, Photography | 2 Comments

The Complicated Geometry of the Eternal Triangle

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “That Guiltiest Feeling,” by Clare Briggs.   Feb. 7, 1920: Talk about complicated. Schoolteacher Frieda C. Boehncke was in love with Phillip Eicholz but discovered he was married. Eicholz's wife sued Boehncke for $2,500 that her husband evidently gave … Continue reading →

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Rancher Killed Outside Old Mission Winery

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

The 1910 auto show is coming Feb. 19!     Feb. 7, 1910: The story about the shooting of William Moss outside the Old Mission Winery  could have come out of the Old West, for it refers to a horse and … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 6, 1960

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Call of Wilds Fades     A year ago, at infrequent intervals, seven quail used to fly into my yard and stride about in their chesty manner, scratch around like chickens and after awhile take off.  One would come first … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 6, 1960

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

 [Wow! Now there’s an ugly layout. I guess Mr. Modular had the day off – lrh] Mash Notes and Comment     (PRESS RELEASE) "TV HELP FOR DENTISTS . . . Dentists soon may be using a television camera for inspecting … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, JFK, Politics, Religion | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 6, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 6, 1944: Hedda Hopper profiles Louis Mayer, who was marking 20 years at MGM. Notice that she mentions Selig’s studio on Mission. And she says she was in Mayer's first picture, “Virtuous Wives.”

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Mrs. Finch’s Dying Words: ‘I’m Sorry’

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Feb. 3, 1960: Dr. R. Bernard Finch and defense lawyer Grant B. Cooper Feb. 6, 1960: The Times keeps the Finch case off the front page. Barbara Jean Finch supposedly said: "I'm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Stuntman Dies in Fall From Plane

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “The Days of Real Sport,” by Clare Briggs. Feb. 6, 1920: A ghastly story. Stuntman Earle (or Earl) Burgess  dies after performing stunts on the wing of a plane. He was clinging to the left landing skid when he … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Through the Lens – Aviation Meet

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo Dec. 25, 1910: These photos were actually taken at the second Aviation Meet, held at the end of 1910. The aircraft in the foreground is the Bleriot monoplane of James Radley. The aircraft in the … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 5, 1960

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Kindly Artist     A woman came into artist Leon Frank's studio and said she admired his work and wanted to buy one of his paintings.  He showed her several, ranging in price from $150 to $500.  She was hesitant … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 5, 1960

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

A Jailhouse Pen Pal Is Heard From Again     Got a real angry Mash Note today from an old friend — Jet Simrell.     The return address was 306 N Broadway.  The County Jail.     Jet, you will remember, is … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 5, 1943: As usual, the World War II papers are hard to read. Hedda Hopper says Erich von Stroheim and Zasu Pitts, who worked together in “Greed,”  saw each other for the first time in years.

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Raiders Trying to Move to Los Angeles

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 5, 1980: The Los Angeles Coliseum Commission has been saying that the Raiders are coming to L.A. The team has asked a federal judge to bar the NFL from preventing the move. And Jim Murray writes about Spectacular Bid, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Sports | Comments Off on Raiders Trying to Move to Los Angeles

Lakers Seeking New Home

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 5, 1960: The Lakers were inching closer to a new home in Los Angeles. The team's owner, Bob Short, was complaining about life in Minneapolis while the team was adjusting its schedule to play two games in February at … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Lakers, Sports | Comments Off on Lakers Seeking New Home

Mystery Photo

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields in a photo stamped July 8, 1923. Their lives were made into the 1952 film “Somebody Loves Me” with Betty Hutton and Ralph Meeker. Aug. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Photography, Stage | 17 Comments