Monthly Archives: June 2010

Mad Scientists’ Garage Sale

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Wholly Moses!” with Dudley Moore and Laraine Newman, directed by Gary Weis, who did a series of quirky shorts for “Saturday Night Live.”   June 14, 1980: The Times features two movie memorabilia events, with appearances by Nina Bara from … Continue reading →

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He’s Netted a Few Baseballs in His Day

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 14, 1960: Herman Kent caught Dodger fever. The former Brooklyn resident and Ebbets Field customer moved to Los Angeles in 1946 and when the Dodgers came west, he installed himself as one of the first characters in the … Continue reading →

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From the Vaults: ‘Why Change Your Wife?’ (1920)

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

For Mary and all the other silent-film aficionados out there, we return triumphantly to 1920 this week! Cecil B. DeMille's tremendously entertaining "Why Change Your Wife?" is one of a slew of romantic comedies he made around this time, following … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 9 Comments

Burglar Hangs Himself in Jail Cell

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  What if it rained eyeglasses? June 14, 1910: Martin T. Smith is found hanging from the door of his cell after being arrested in Santa Monica for burglary. Smith, who had been drinking heavily, leaves no family, The Times … Continue reading →

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Mini Mystery Photo

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Update: This is artist Hugo Ballin and Marlene Dietrich in a photo stamped May 25, 1936, apparently during filming of “Garden of Allah.” I’m at a loss to explain her expression.  Here’s our weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 14 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: This is Madge Bellamy as “The Spirit of Christmas” in a photo marked Dec. 30, 1923. Curiously enough, I saw her introduce a showing of “The Iron Horse” at the Autry museum years … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 67 Comments

Found on EBay – 417 E. 41st St.

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

A postcard mailed in 1907 showing the house at 417 E. 41st St. has been listed on EBay. According to Google maps, the house is gone but most of the neighborhood remains. Bidding starts at $4.

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Matt Weinstock, June 13, 1960

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 13, 1960: Matt Weinstock writes about a sign that says “25 Cents to Eat Your Own Sandwich.” And Abby tackles the question of whether any sound is made by a  plane that crashes in the desert with no … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates – Confidential File, June 13, 1960

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 13, 1960: Paul Coates writes about the strengths and weaknesses of various writers, including Matt Weinstock – and himself.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 13, 1940

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes a map by Charles Owens showing the battle for Paris. June 13, 1940: “Joan Crawford's nursery for her newly adopted baby is equipped with a sound system so acute the tot's breathing can be heard in Joan's … Continue reading →

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On the Frontiers of Medicine, June 13, 1960

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 13, 1960: The gist of Bruce Russell’s cartoon seems to be that speeding is bad. Either that or driving through a huge skull is dangerous. On the jump, bone marrow injections offer hope for cancer patients, and TV viewers … Continue reading →

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Landslide Closes Hill Street Tunnel

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A landslide closes the Hill Street tunnel, which was demolished when the “nose” of Bunker Hill was removed in June 1955.  June 13, 1910: Police find that the athletic burglar who was caught the other day has refined tastes … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler, June 12, 1940

Posted on June 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 12, 1940: “New Yorkers say Al Jolson is revolving among Ruby Keeler, Jinx Falkenberg and Broadway dancer Gloria Cook,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Alston’s Job Is Safe, Bavasi Says

Posted on June 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 12, 1960: Don't worry Dodger fans. Walt Alston's job was safe. "I can positively say that Alston is not on the spot," General Manager Buzzie Bavasi told The Times' Frank Finch. "It's not Dodger policy to blame the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers | 1 Comment

Major Crimes Decline, LAPD Says

Posted on June 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “I’m No Good … No Good … No Good!” June 12, 1960: The LAPD, which has kept detailed statistics for decades, finds that major crimes declined 5.7% in 1959 after a three-year increase. Of the 3,124 people who applied … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on Major Crimes Decline, LAPD Says

Panama Canal Nearing Completion

Posted on June 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 12, 1910: Work continues on the Panama Canal, an example of American ingenuity, where the slogan is “1915 or Bust.” Also on the jump, a Times editorial against picketing by strikers.  The Times’ staunch opposition to picketing will … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, June 11, 1960

Posted on June 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 11, 1960: Paul Coates, Matt Weinstock and Abby on one page!

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 11, 1940

Posted on June 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A map by Charles Owens shows the fighting in France. June 11, 1940: “Why don't they give more romantic roles to Humphrey Bogart?” Jimmie Fidler asks.

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Oh, Say, Can You See….

Posted on June 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 11, 1980: Ever since Sinatra and the Bee Gees sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium, everybody wants to try….

Posted in Dodgers, Music, Sports | Comments Off on Oh, Say, Can You See….

Sandy Koufax and Charley Neal on the Radio

Posted on June 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 11, 1960: After Sandy Koufax retired, he spent some time as a clearly uncomfortable member of NBC's baseball coverage. So it's surprising to find a Times critic praising Koufax's ability as a communicator. Koufax and fellow Dodger Charlie … Continue reading →

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