Monthly Archives: December 2010

Grim Sleeper No. 139

        Grim Sleeper No. 139 has a bit of interesting signage that says “The Mail Slot” and gives a phone number that appears to be 419-0395. I’m not able to locate this number or business, so I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment

Grim Sleeper Nos. 75-78

      Grim Sleeper No. 76         Grim Sleeper No. 78   These ladies, plus Nos. 75 and 77, have a labret, or piercing, in their lower lip.   No. 76 also has a tattoo on her … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment

Reagan May Call Economic Emergency

Ronald Reagan’s political education: The new Assembly speaker, Van Nuys Democrat Bob Moretti, went to Reagan and said, “Look, you don’t like me and I don’t like you but if we want to get anything done here we’ve got to work together.”
Continue reading

Posted in Comics, Front Pages, Ronald Reagan, Television | 2 Comments

Grim Sleeper Nos. 75 and 77

        This is a different sort of puzzle. Grim Sleeper No. 75, top, and No. 77, have a tattoo that reads “Kendreay, RIP or HIP” and they both have a piercing (called a labret) in their bottom … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment

Grim Sleeper Nos. 96-97, Maxine — Updated

   Nos. 96, left, and 97, right, seem to be the same woman. And in No. 97, she’s wearing a name tag that says “Maxine.” The shape of her name tag is quite distinctive. Does anyone recognize it? [Update: This … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts | 7 Comments

Grim Sleeper Nos. 59 and 81

  It seems that Grim Sleeper Nos. 59, left, and 81, right, show the same woman and may have been taken at the same time.  No. 81 is dated May 8, 2006, which may or may not be accurate.   … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 17, 1960

CONFIDENTIAL TO BERTHA, SALLY AND ROSALIE: If you want male companionship in Miami this winter, better bring your own.
Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Dec. 17, 1960

Plane Crash Survivor Dies, Dec. 17, 1960

Marilyn Monroe: “The breakup that was to make Arthur Miller another ex-Mr. Marilyn Monroe, like Jim Dougherty and Joe DiMaggio, had been presaged by the declining status of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright in the Monroe menage as well as in the world of the stage. And also by rumors and jokes that emanated from Hollywood,” Maurice Zolotow says.
Continue reading

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Grim Sleeper Nos. 141-142

    Grim Sleeper No. 141 appears to be a Polaroid marked Deborah B. Cleveland, Sept. 18, 2001, although there seems to have been some hesitation about the “18,” as if the writer started with 28 and changed his mind. … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 3 Comments

Grim Sleeper No. 149

       Grim Sleeper photo No. 149 has quite a bit of detail. The picture apparently shows Frenchie’s Patio Soul Food, which was located 8101 S. Western Ave. (323) 753-2614. The only mention in The Times is a 1998 … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 3 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 17, 1940

               Dec. 17. 1940: Watching Mae West stroll down the avenue, I always catch myself musing on the sway of all flesh, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Nightclubs, Transportation | 1 Comment

Grim Sleeper No. 166

        Grim Sleeper No. 166 is wearing an ID badge reading “Ms. D. Johnson, N.A.” If I had to guess, I would say this was taken professionally and is some sort of graduation picture, and I would … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 2 Comments

Movieland Christmas Mystery Photo

Photograph by Bill Murphy/Los Angeles Times Here’s a mystery fellow with a mystery pet!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 13 Comments

Never Seen Again — Update

        I recently heard from relatives of Dr. George Ripley Fuller, who was the subject of a Paul Coates column in July 2007 and a follow-up post a few days later. Fuller’s story was one of several … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Never Seen Again — Update

Grim Sleeper Nos. 4 and 52

    I also got to wondering if No. 4 and No. 52 were the same woman. ALSO Grim Sleeper Nos. 48-49Grim Sleeper Nos. 51-53.Grim Sleeper Nos. 56-57Grim Sleeper Nos. 59 and 81Grim Sleeper Nos. 75-78, labretsGrim Sleeper Nos. 75 … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | Comments Off on Grim Sleeper Nos. 4 and 52

Grim Sleeper Nos. 51-53

    Here are three more photos that seem to belong together, Nos. 51-53. Perhaps the women will be more recognizable in context with one another. ALSO Grim Sleeper Nos. 4 and 52Grim Sleeper Nos. 48-49Grim Sleeper Nos. 56-57Grim Sleeper … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 5 Comments

Grim Sleeper Nos. 56-57

    Here’s another pair of photos that belong together. Maybe these women will be more recognizable in context with one another. No. 56 is on the right, No. 57 is on the left. ALSO Grim Sleeper Nos. 4 and … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | Comments Off on Grim Sleeper Nos. 56-57

Grim Sleeper Nos. 48-49

     I noticed in going through the LAPD’s photos in the Grim Sleeper case that several images were taken from one photo. Here’s Nos. 48 and 49, pasted back together. Maybe these women will be more recognizable in context … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Courts, Grim Sleeper, Homicide, Photography | 4 Comments

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 16, 1960

       Dec. 16, 1960: Matt Weinstock has the story of a cat that was taken to West Hollywood because its Bunker Hill home was to be torn down, but made its way back because it was evidently homesick.  … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, art and artists, classical music, Columnists, Comics, Downtown, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Dec. 16, 1960

127 Die When Planes Collide Over New York

       Dec. 16, 1960: The collision of two airplanes over New York is one of the terrible news stories of my childhood. Stephen Baltz, 11, survived the crash but died of his injuries His father, William said at … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Comments Off on 127 Die When Planes Collide Over New York