Monthly Archives: March 2010

Oil!

  March 22, 1910: Oil executive A.B. Cohn says "… the Lakeview gusher can be seen sprouting oil like a miniature volcano for 20 miles across the desert country and it is impossible to approach within a reasonable distance of … Continue reading

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From the Vaults: ‘The Wasp Woman’ (1960*)

Note: Larry is posting items from 1920 and 1960 this year, and I will be watching movies from those years and writing about them, alternating weeks. This week is 1960's turn. And I owe you people something of an apology, … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 21, 1960

  Pulling a Chessman?     The letter, neatly written in pencil, is from a man named Arthur.     "I am in the City Jail on a phony beef," it begins.  "About 2:30 a.m. March 1 I was forced into a … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Journalism Lesson From a Dixie Editor     My mother didn’t exactly cancel her subscription to The Mirror News. What she did, she called me up — collect — from her flat in the Bronx just before Christmas last year with … Continue reading

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Westbrook Pegler, Fair Enough, March 21, 1941

  March 21, 1941: Westbrook Pegler breaks down the organization of the Army and compares it to the way the service was arranged in what was then known as the World War.

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Voices — ‘Howlin Mad’ Smith

March 21, 1960: Jack Smith profiles retired Gen. Holland Smith, who died in 1967 at the age of 84. 

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‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

March 21, 1920: William A. Marr says his motorcycle doesn’t work well unless he’s going 40 mph.

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on ‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

A Baffling Case – Solved

March 21, 1910: Rancher David W. Dwire, a powerfully built Los Feliz rancher, is found shot to death, completely clothed except for his right foot. His missing hat, shoe and stocking are found 100 yards away. Is it murder or … Continue reading

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | 1 Comment

Jim Murray, March 20, 1980

March 20, 1980: Jim Murray on the Fosbury flop.

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Westbrook Pegler on the Phillies, March 22, 1926

  March 20, 1926: I have to say, Peg was a pretty fair sports columnist, as he shows in this piece on the Phillies.  He writes: "They will lose with rousing reluctance, the customers will see earnest, if not polished, … Continue reading

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Dodgers Giving Up on Stadium for ’61 Season

  March 20, 1960: The Dodgers were giving up hope they would open the 1961 season in their new Chavez Ravine stadium. Walter O'Malley complained to The Times' sports editor, Paul Zimmerman, about the "little delays" that kept construction from … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Dodgers, Downtown | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Anne Nagel in a publicity photo stamped Sept. 17, 1936.   July 8, 1966: Anne Nagel dies of cancer at the age of 50.     Just a reminder on how … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Suicide | 28 Comments

GOP Loses Voting Strength, Poll finds

March 20, 1960: The Gallup Poll says: “…the Republican Party nationwide continues at one of its lowest ebbs in basic voting strength.” I have to wonder whether results like this set off any alarms among Republicans. Perhaps later stories will … Continue reading

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Crimes of Violence and Lust

March 20, 1920: After reading this long litany of crime, I began to wonder if The Times was merely going to catalog everything that was wrong with society or provide a solution -– perhaps a call for more police officers. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Fewer Japanese in U.S., Report Says

March 20, 1910: The Commissioner General of Immigration reports that there are 3,457 fewer Japanese in the U.S. and Hawaii, due to a decrease in immigration and an increase in emigration. The largest category of non-laborers is “no occupation,” but … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, March 19, 1960

  “?” Pig Stickers, En Garde     Sportsmen who complain they have to go farther and farther for good fishing and hunting — prepare to drool.  Dr. Louis Higger of L.A. writes from Kati, New Zealand: "Here we are on … Continue reading

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

     Mash Notes and Comment     (Press Release)  "John Mason Brown is a conversationalist critic whose verbal outpourings since birth have never ceased  to be witty and original, as well as readily and steadily forthcoming . . . " … Continue reading

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Ron Milner, March 19, 1980

  March 19, 1980: Lawrence Christon reviews Ron Milner’s “Season’s Reasons,” which he calls “a state of the black union address." "Much of the play emphasizes how little American racial attitudes have improved," Christon says.  Milner died in July 16, … Continue reading

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Hedda Hopper, March 19, 1945

  “The Three Caballeros” premieres at the Guild Theatre. March 19, 1945: “The Academy should never be allowed to give awards without Bob Hope as m.c.,” Hedda Hopper says.

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Ted Williams Praises Dodger Hitters

Well, it was the 1970s….   March 19, 1970: Ted Williams, manager of the Washington Senators who knew a few things about hitting, had high praise for two Dodgers. "Within three years (Bill) Bucker will lead the National League in … Continue reading

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | 2 Comments