Monthly Archives: June 2010

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 7, 1940

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The Times publishes another war map by Charles Owens. June 7, 1940: “Hollywood After Dark: Dorothy Lamour calmly changing stockings at her table in the Del Mar dining room while strong men wilted,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Film, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 7, 1940

Introducing the Sabra!

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 7, 1960: A car made in Israel? Are you serious? The dealer says the fiberglass-bodied car with a 36-horsepower Ford engine will do 65 mph. Over a cliff, maybe. ps. According to the Wikipedia entry (I know, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Introducing the Sabra!

From the Vaults: ‘First Spaceship on Venus’ (1960)

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

Well, "First Spaceship on Venus" is quite the odd little movie: a vintage space epic filmed in East Germany and co-produced with Poland. It features an international team of characters and a strong anti-nuclear message! Released in German as "Der … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood, Science, UFOs | 2 Comments

LAPD Sets Up Speed Trap on Grand Avenue

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 7, 1910: The 20% grade of Grand Avenue is a popular place for car salesmen to show customers the speed of their vehicles. In fact, Grand is such a perfect test track that the Police Department has set … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Alligator Farm

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

Although the ostrich farms get more attention, Los Angeles also had alligator farms, shown above in an image from USC’s digital archive. The postcard at left showing alligators at play has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $5.95.

Posted in Animals, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Alligator Farm

Matt Weinstock, June 6, 1960

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

   The miracle auto of tomorrow! No driver! No traffic! No accidents! June 6, 1960: A fellow named Don gets a phone call from a woman selling cemetery plots and asks some tough questions.  DEAR WAITRESS: There are no 'disgraceful' … Continue reading →

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Jim Murray: John Wooden Is the Best Coach in the History of College Basketball

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  USC stalls UCLA, 46-44, the Bruins’ first defeat at Pauley Pavilion. March 9, 1969: Sports columnist Jim Murray calls John Wooden “the best basketball coach in the history of the collegiate game — or maybe the game, period. He … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, Sports | 1 Comment

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

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 6, 1960: Paul Coates has a follow-up on the story of a doctor  confined to a mental ward who saved another patient’s life.

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5 Killed in Test Flight of Strange, Giant Plane

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 6, 1948: If this plane (a YB-49) looks familiar, it should. Among the five dead crewmen is Capt. Glen Edwards.

Posted in Transportation | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 6, 1940

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Another war map by Charles Owens! June 6, 1940 — Jimmie Fidler has a little story that begins: “Franz Waxman, the composer who scored 'Rebecca,' has a newly acquired Chihuahua pooch.”

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 6, 1940

Pavarotti in ‘La Boheme’

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

    June 6, 1980: With the skill of a surgeon, Martin Bernheimer dissects a performance by operatic sensation Luciano Pavarotti (d. 2007). “He conquered. He came. He sang. In that order,” Bernheimer says. Notice that in return for agreeing … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, classical music, Stage | 1 Comment

On the Frontiers of Medicine, 1910

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Anne Blanche in “Freckles” at the Los Angeles Theater.  June 6, 1910: Exhibit 1 in the argument that the past was not a kinder, simpler time is Abraham Flexner’s book “Medical Education in the United States and Canada.” The Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, health, Stage | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Medicine, 1910

Voices — Jerry Clark, 1940 – 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

   KTLA’s Stan Chambers, left, Times reporter Nieson Himmel, center, and Jerry Clark.   Note: Jerry Clark, who died Tuesday, was a longtime newsman who ran an informal group of retirees called the “Old Farts of The Times” (or in … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries | 2 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 5, 1940

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 5, 1940: “MGM's new Adonis, who'll be given a romantic tint, is Cliff Anderson, ex-Ciro's waiter, who was studying civil engineering while tray-pushing,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 5, 1940

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo    Update: As most people realized, our mystery guest is Hollywood nightclub owner Earl Carroll, who died in 1948 plane crash. In the above photo, he’s the young fellow with Elbert Hubbard (sorry, folks, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography, Stage | 26 Comments

Cheryl Crane Escapes

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 5, 1960: Cheryl Crane and two other inmates escape from El Retiro School for Girls, where she had been committed for killing Johnny Stompanato. "This was a big change from the meek and mild little girl who came … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | 2 Comments

Unions, Employers ‘Ready for War’ in Metalworkers’ Strike

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Kilflea Dog Soap does the job! June 5, 1910: The battle lines are becoming increasingly firm in the metalworkers’ strike and the attempt to unionize Los Angeles’ foundries, rolling mills and machine shops. The Times says: "There is no … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Los Angeles Times Bombing | Comments Off on Unions, Employers ‘Ready for War’ in Metalworkers’ Strike

John Wooden at UCLA

Posted on June 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 21, 1948: The Times reports that John Wooden is coming to UCLA as “head cage mentor.”  On the jump, Wooden takes UCLA to the NCAA title for his last game, March 31, 1975.

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on John Wooden at UCLA

Found on EBay – Haggarty’s

Posted on June 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

Items rarely show up from Haggarty’s, an upscale chain of Southern California women’s shops that opened in 1917 and closed in 1970. An Australian vendor has listed this dress with bids starting at $25 AU (note shipping costs). As with … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, June 4, 1960

Posted on June 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 4, 1960: The odd fate of Richard M. Kelley is a story worthy of Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock or John O’Hara…. CONFIDENTIAL TO 'NEEDS TO KNOW': You have been misinformed. There is no law which compels unmarried mothers … Continue reading →

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