Monthly Archives: August 2011

What Are the 50 Best Books About L.A.?

Posted on August 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

I don’t care much for lists because they’re usually nothing but “flame bait.”*  The BBC is an abundant source of these dictums, such as “100 Smashing Top-Drawer Books That Everyone Who Aspires to Cultural Literacy Should Read,” which is second … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, History, Libraries | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Found on EBay – Cursed House $666

Posted on August 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

Note: This is funniest EBay entry I have seen in years. Bidding starts at $666. Cursed Land and/or House Five pounds of land removed from the center of the basement of the cursed house. If the bid goes over 80k, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Found on EBay | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Tip Jar

Posted on August 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

I have often said that the Daily Mirror is a labor of love for everyone who contributes their work. And it is. There are a few minor expenses of operating the website, books for the Daily Mirror HQ, etc. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tip Jar

Mike Wallace Interviews

Posted on August 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

I stumbled into a trove of interesting interviews by Mike Wallace that are online at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Austin at Texas. Here’s Wallace’s Aug. 25, 1957, interview with the notorious Freddie Otash, the former LAPD … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, 1958, Film, Hollywood, Television | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Scarlett’s Costumes Nearly ‘Gone With the Wind’

Posted on August 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Crane bathroom fixtures. Credit: Life magazine, April 29, 1957.   We grew up in a sterile, cookie-cutter home, on a sterile, cookie-cutter street, in a sterile suburb of Chicago, where all the people were white and all the bathrooms … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, African Americans, Architecture, Fashion, Film, Futurism, Hollywood, Interior Design, Preservation, Transportation | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Coming Attractions: Classes With Marion Eisenmann

Posted on August 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

“Santa Anita Racetrack,” by Marion Eisenmann Marion Eisenmann, who shares her artwork with the Daily Mirror in Artist’s Notebook, will be giving monthly classes in plein air painting on Thursdays at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Artist's Notebook, Coming Attractions, Marion Eisenmann | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Coming Attractions: Classes With Marion Eisenmann

Mystery Witzel Photo

Posted on August 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

This Witzel photo has been posted on EBay. Judging by the stamp on the back, it’s some celebrity, but the woman isn’t identified. OK, brain trust, what do you think? Bidding starts at $24.99.

Posted in Brain Trust, Mystery Photo, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Location Sleuth: Lasky Mesa

Posted on August 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: “Charge of the Light Brigade,” filmed at Lasky Mesa. James Curtis’ interview with Dick Lane touched on a filming location known as Lasky Mesa. Films shot there include “Rose of the Rancho” 1914, “The Thundering Herd” (1925), “The Charge … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, History, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Location Sleuth, Parks, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Woman Executed for Sex With Dog, 1677

Posted on August 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Mujeres listas para recivir a Rabago, 1911. Credit: Walter H. Horne/Getty Research Institute “A Nation Emerges,” featuring images of the Mexican Revolution, will go  on display at the Central Library from Sept. 8 to June 3. The exhibit, presented … Continue reading →

Posted in 1677, Animals, Crime and Courts, History, Libraries, Photography | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Witzel Photograph

Posted on August 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

This Witzel photo of actress Dorothy Phillips has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $19.99. Phillips received a one-paragraph obituary in The Times on March 10, 1980.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Location Sleuth: ‘Crime Wave’

Posted on August 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

Back in 2008, Scott of Tropico Station decided to revisit Glendale locations used in “Crime Wave.” Voila! Photo 1: “Crime Wave.” Photo 2: San Fernando road looking north. Credit: Tropico Station.

Posted in Architecture, Film, History, Hollywood, Location Sleuth, Photography | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

James Curtis: L.A. Voices – Dick Lane, Part 5

Posted on August 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Dick Lane with Laurel and Hardy in “The Bullfighters.” This is Part 5 of James Curtis’ 1975 interview with Dick Lane. In this segment, Lane discusses Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, making “Wonder Man” with Danny Kaye and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, James Curtis, L.A. Voices, Television | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on August 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

This hat from the Collegienne department of Bullock’s Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $14.99.

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

Coming Tomorrow: James Curtis’ L.A. Voices – Dick Lane, Part 5

Posted on August 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Dick Lane in “Boom Town.” Coming up tomorrow: Part 5 of James Curtis’ interview with Dick Lane, who discusses Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, making “Wonder Man” with Danny Kaye and televising pro wrestling.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, James Curtis, L.A. Voices, Television | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

#art, #history, #museums 8|16|2011

Posted on August 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: “The Marriage of Tobias and Sarah” by Jan Steen. Credit: Museum Bredius in The Hague Photo: “The Marriage of Tobias and Sarah” by Jan Steen. Credit: Museum Bredius in The Hague The Hague municipality has settled with an heir … Continue reading →

Posted in 1893, Art & Artists, Crime and Courts, History, Museums, Washington, World War II | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lizzie Borden and Fall River’s Mysterious Murder

Posted on August 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Aug. 6, 1892: Fall River’s Mysterious Murder. Jennifer Levitz of the Wall Street Journal revisits the Lizzie Borden case. So why shouldn’t we?

Posted in 1893, Crime and Courts, History, Homicide | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Lizzie Borden and Fall River’s Mysterious Murder

The Mystery of the Wounded Crucifix

Posted on August 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Crucifix on display at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times I was reading the Sunday papers with my eye out for historical items and saw Mike Anton’s piece about artifacts on display at Mission San Juan … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Religion | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Found on EBay – Spring Street

Posted on August 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

A photo of Spring Street looking north from about 4th Street has been listed on EBay. Our landmark is the Steinway piano ad on the side the building. Bidding on this postcard starts at $5.49. Here’s a better view:

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Found on EBay, Photography | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Coming Tomorrow: Lizzie Borden

Posted on August 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

June 21, 1893: Lizzie Borden is found not guilty of killing her father and stepmother. Since it’s August, I thought it would be interesting to go through a few clips on the Lizzie Borden case.

Posted in 1893, Coming Attractions, History, Homicide | Tagged , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror and L.A. Crime Beat 8|15|2011

Posted on August 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

I’m taking a break from the daily listings of history and museum news. Compiling the lists is time-consuming and they don’t seem to get many readers. In the meantime, there’s the L.A. Daily Mirror and the L.A. Crime Beat crafted … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Crime and Courts, History, Museums | Tagged , , | 3 Comments