Monthly Archives: December 2018

December 12, 1907: The .45-Caliber Newspaper Ombudsman

Posted on December 11, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. December 12, 1907 Los Angeles via the Associated Press Goldfield, Nev.—J. Holtman Buck, editor of the Western Nevada Miner in Mina, Nev., shot Francis L. Burton to death during a fight over … Continue reading →

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Nowhere to Go but Up: L.A. Times Seeks a Book Editor

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Quakebot, the annoying Twitter account that erupts in panic whenever there is a 2.1 quake in Hayfork, Calif., was silent last Sunday, so apparently there was no seismic upheaval in El Segundo when Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1964 film “Nothing but a Man,” with Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, unit manager William Rhodes, assistant cameraman Peter Vollstadt, electrician Frank Sukosd,  location manager Philip Clarkson, assistant Clayton Riley, costumes by Nancy Ruffing, secretary … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Sign Built and Illuminated November-December 1923

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Hollywoodland Sign, in a photo published in the Los Angeles Evening Herald, Dec. 8, 1923. Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Originally constructed as a publicity gimmick and branding symbol to help generate sales for a real … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

December 1947: ‘Taxi Army’ Saves Tel Aviv

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Quote of the day: “Dream Dress to dance into 1948—Young sorceress of the wand-waist, bouffant skirt school, whirls through the holidays in the luminous splendor of … Continue reading →

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1920: Police Raid Party at Ex-Mayor’s Home, Arrest 7 Men in Drag

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 10,1907 Los Angeles Mayor Arthur C. Harper happens to be in all sorts of trouble. He’s telling the newspapers that he has had enough of politics and won’t seek another term. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1909, 1912, City Hall, Crime and Courts, Downtown, LAPD, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dec. 2, 1938: California’s First Use of Gas Chamber Horrifies Witnesses; Hanging Is ‘Quicker and Better’

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.   The Times editorialized: Kessel and Cannon were two of five convicts who twisted a wire around the warden’s neck and dragged him into the prison … Continue reading →

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Dec. 9, 1907: Black LAPD Officer Blames Firing on Racism, Rejoins Fire Department

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 9, 1907 Los Angeles Mayor Harper has restored E.J. Bowen to his old job in the Fire Department after the rookie police officer was fired for allegedly being a coward—a charge … Continue reading →

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Follies Theater’s 1927 ‘Hot Mamma’ Show Led Court to Overturn Law on ‘Indecent Shows’

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

A EBay vendor posted this photo of a woman named Aline or Alene Carberry, and I could not resist unleashing the hounds of research. Bidding on the “Hot Mamma” photo is currently at $34.50.

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December 1947: Forget-Me-Nots for the Rose Queens of Yesteryear

Posted on December 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. What has become of the Rose Queens of yesteryear? What has happened to the girls who in the past have ruled over the glamour, excitement … Continue reading →

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Dec. 8, 1907: Jewish Refugees, Fleeing Russian Persecution, Come to L.A.

Posted on December 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 8, 1907 Los Angeles I’ll apologize now, for this is an account with more questions than answers; a story of heartbreak and hope without an ending. The Times features three members … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Education, Immigration, Religion | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a repost from 2013. You might have to hunt a bit for Don Normark’s 1999 book “Chavez Ravine, 1949,” but your search will be rewarded. The photos are terrific and the residents’ recollections make the book even … Continue reading →

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Dec, 7, 2006: Note to "Dahlia Avenger" Fans

Posted on December 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Here’s a publicity still of “Maddy” Comfort from “Kiss Me Deadly” for sale on EBay. Her name is also spelled “Mattie” and “Mady.” Comfort is referred to in the Los Angeles County … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 2006, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Found on EBay, Homicide, LAPD, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Dec, 7, 2006: Note to "Dahlia Avenger" Fans

December 1947: Police Bullets End Bull’s Run for Freedom

Posted on December 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Ferdinand is dead. He ran five miles in his flight for freedom before police bullets cut him down. He escaped at 3811 S. Soto, and lurched … Continue reading →

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Dec. 7, 1907: Morris Buck Hanged for Killing Mrs. Canfield, Former Employer

Posted on December 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 7, 1907 Los Angeles “I asked if she received the letter. She said she had. I asked her if she would loan me a sum of money to be paid back … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1908, 1911, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 6, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a repost from 2013. Glen Creason’s book on maps of Los Angeles shows the many ways people have viewed the city over the years. I interviewed him for The Times in 2012 and fortunately for all concerned, … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010, Books and Authors, Libraries | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

December 1947: Powerful Blast Destroys House, Injures Fumigation Crew, Kills Neighbor

Posted on December 6, 2018 by lmharnisch

Before the introduction of Vikane, also known as Sulfuryl Fluoride, pesticide companies relied on hydrocyanic gas, a compound used to exterminate termites—and in California’s lethal gas chamber. That’s what a crew from Guarantee Fumigating Co. was pumping into the home … Continue reading →

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L.A. Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Mary Mallory’s posts are one of the L.A. Daily Mirror’s most popular features, so we are happy to recommend “Hollywoodland”; “Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays,” written with Karie Bible; “Hollywood at Play,” written … Continue reading →

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Shout Out to Nathan

Posted on December 5, 2018 by lmharnisch
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December 1947: It’s Curtains, Rocky! MPAA Bans Gangster Pictures

Posted on December 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. NEW YORK, Dec. 3. (AP)—The board of directors of the Motion Picture Association of America today voted to cease distribution of new and old pictures glorifying … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment