Monthly Archives: May 2010

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 17, 1960

Posted on May 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 17, 1960: Paul Coates runs a humorous piece by future Times arts writer and screenwriter Burt Prelutsky, who was then a UCLA student. And yes, Prelutsky is still writing.

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 17, 1960

Movie Star Mystery Photo [Update]

Posted on May 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo  It’s Friday, which means it’s time to identify our “mystery” guest. As everyone knows, she’s Lucille Ball. I have to say I enjoyed going through her photos so much that I have another week’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 73 Comments

From the Vaults: ‘Crimes at the Dark House’ (1940)

Posted on May 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

We have commenter Fibber McGee to thank for this week's movie. Also, I have a new boyfriend, and his name is Tod Slaughter! (Both of those are real names! Oh, OK… Tod's real first name was Norman…) I read Wilkie … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 4 Comments

Found on EBay – Giant Turtle

Posted on May 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  I came across an EBay listing of a postcard showing a leatherback turtle that was caught off Santa Catalina Island. According to a May 9, 1906, story, the turtle was netted by Jerry Marincovich and died trying to free … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Giant Turtle

Matt Weinstock, May 16, 1960

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

   “BLANGG!” May 16, 1960:  Matt Weinstock says, “It is an accepted thing among literary people that most novels today deal boldly with sex and misbehavior. Which gives pertinence to an exchange between two writers discussing Caskie Stinnett's book ‘Out … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, May 16, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 16, 1960

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 16, 1960: The Revell model toy company decided not to release a kit version of the U-2 spy plane because “it had a few interesting features, but basically, it lacked color,” Paul Coates writes. Then Francis Gary Powers … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 16, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 16, 1940

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 16, 1940: “Peas-in-a-pod: Loretta Young and Ann Dvorak,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 16, 1940

Mystery Photo

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

Isn’t this a great photo? There’s a little story that goes with it. Update: As everybody realized, this is an extremely casual Otis Chandler in one of the few pictures I’ve ever seen of him in which he’s not wearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystery Photo, Photography | 4 Comments

Miracle TI-99/4 Home Computer Has 16K RAM, Runs BASIC!

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 16, 1980: The absolutely amazing TI-99/4 home computer … with 16K RAM! BASIC! 16-color graphics! Thermal printer! An an acoustic coupler! Notice that the ad doesn’t even list a price. Update: If you poke around a little bit you … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 4 Comments

Little Damage From 6.0 Quake, 1910

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 16, 1910: Here’s an interesting problem – how did newspapers report an earthquake 100 years ago? The Times gathered brief accounts over a wide area, from San Diego and Santa Catalina Island to Riverside, Banning, Mt. Wilson and … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Comments Off on Little Damage From 6.0 Quake, 1910

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 15, 1940

Posted on May 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 15, 1940: “Richard Arlen has stocked his ranch lake with fish and plans summer angling parties for his chums,” Jimmie Fidler says. 

Posted in Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 15, 1940

John Wayne Denies Confrontation With Sinatra

Posted on May 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

    John Wayne and Maria Cooper, left, and Frank Sinatra at fundraiser. May 15, 1960: Witnesses say John Wayne and Frank Sinatra nearly got into a fight during a benefit dinner at the Moulin Rouge over Wayne’s comments about … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs | 4 Comments

On the Frontiers of Sports

Posted on May 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 15, 1910: New rules are approved to avoid some football injuries. For example, “no pushing or pulling of the man with the ball” and the flying tackle is banned. But the rules committee keeps the forward pass after … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Sports

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 14, 1940

Posted on May 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Dr. Jones…. Tell us about this Nazi death ray. May 14, 1940: “Signs of the season: Clark Gable and Carole Lombard practicing fly casting on the front lawn,” Jimmie Fidler says. 

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Charles Champlin on ‘Haywire’

Posted on May 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 14, 1980: Charles Champlin on the making of “Haywire,” the TV movie based on the book by Brooke Hayward. The project, which was scaled back from a mini-series to a three-hour show, evoked painful memories for the surviving family … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Homicide, Television | Comments Off on Charles Champlin on ‘Haywire’

‘Let Us Commune With the Yogi’

Posted on May 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nellie Nichols and the Four Dancing Bugs at the Orpheum! May 14, 1910: On the jump, the curious case of  Sakharam G. Pandit, a Hindu in Chicago with a “hypnotic eye” who allegedly went too far with women when … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Religion, Stage | Comments Off on ‘Let Us Commune With the Yogi’

Matt Weinstock, May 13, 1960

Posted on May 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

   May 13, 1960: Matt Weinstock writes about a group of Hill Street barflies who are transfixed by “Miracle on 34th Street.” And a woman tells Abby that she’s troubled by the attention she’s receiving from her husband’s best friend, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, May 13, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 13, 1960

Posted on May 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 13, 1960: Two mothers share their stories on dealing with teenage sons who are so obsessed with drag racing that everything else in their lives is suffering.  

Posted in Columnists, Freeways, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 13, 1960

Jimmie Fidler, May 13, 1940

Posted on May 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 13, 1940: “Charlie Chaplin, ringsiding at N.T.G.'s, with Marlene Dietrich and Tim Durant, ducking to the floor as an acrobatic dancer somersaults less than a foot away,” Jimmie Fidler says. Note: N.T.G. is Nils T. Granlund and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler, May 13, 1940

Aly Khan Killed in Car Crash

Posted on May 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 13, 1960: Prince Aly Khan, former husband of Rita Hayworth, is killed when his Lancia sports car crashes into a Simca at Suresnes, France. Khan, who was driving, was accompanied by French model Bettina (Simone Bodin), who suffered … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on Aly Khan Killed in Car Crash