Monthly Archives: October 2025

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, October 8, 1944

Posted on October 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 8, 1944: The first official visit Effie Klinker, Edgar Bergen’s new wooden spinster, made was to Louella Parsons. Continue reading →

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October 8, 1907: Sewage-Eating Fish Spread Disease at Local Markets, Health Officials Say

Posted on October 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. October 8, 1907Los AngelesHealth officials and a deputy district attorney have joined to urge the Board of Supervisors to ban fishing within a half-mile of the city’s Hyperion line that pours sewage … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights; ‘America Tropical’ at 93

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

In Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory looks at the history of David Siqueiros’ mural “America Tropical.” Continue reading →

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October 7, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 7, 1959: Matt Weinstock tells the story of Hal, a former newsman now working in the entertainment industry, who was so broke in 1936 that he slept on the ledge next to a drugstore. Continue reading →

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October 7, 1949: Actress Jean Spangler vanishes

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 7, 1949: Starlet Jean Spangler vanishes. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, October 2025

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and what sources went into creation of the Black Dahlia Mystique. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, October 7, 1944

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 7, 1944: One thing about Preston Sturges, he doesn’t underrate his own talents. He was approached recently to act as commentator on a radio show. “Yes I am interested,” drawled Sturges, “providing you give me a two-hour show and build a theater for me,” Louella Parsons says. Continue reading →

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October 7, 1938: Star pitcher Dizzy Dean walks his last mile

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 7, 1938: Dizzy Dean and the Cubs lost to the Yankees, 6-3, in the second game of the 1938 World Series. But it was more than a loss–it might have been the last chapter of a great career. Continue reading →

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October 7, 1909: Jurors Convict Man, Take Up a Collection for Him

Posted on October 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 7, 1909: Pedro Vasquez was arrested by Detective Talamantes for stealing two pairs of trousers. After the jurors convicted Vasquez,  they took up a collection so he could buy a shirt since he didn’t have one.  Continue reading →

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October 6, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 6, 1959: Irony and sarcasm are lost on some people, Matt Weinstock says. Continue reading →

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October 6, 1949: LAPD Gangster Squad Abolished

Posted on October 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 6, 1949: The LAPD’s Gangster Squad is abolished under Police Chief William Worton. Continue reading →

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October 6, 1965: Koufax chooses faith over Dodgers

Posted on October 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 6, 1965: Sandy Koufax sits out Game 1 of the World Series because it falls on Yom Kippur. Continue reading →

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Movieland ‘Unsuitable’ Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

This week’s “unsuitable” mystery movie was the 1934 Paramount film Search for Beauty, with Larry “Buster” Crabbe, Ida Lupino, Robert Armstrong, James Gleason, Toby Wing, Gertrude Michael, Bradley Page, Frank McGlynn Sr., Nora Cecil, Virginia Hammond, Eddie Gribbon and “Pop” … Continue reading →

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October 5, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 5, 1959: Matt Weinstock on UFOs and the greatest invention of all time. Continue reading →

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October 5, 1958: Lost genius found in homeless camp

Posted on October 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 5, 1958: Lost genius Elmer “Mox” Meukel is found living in homeless camp. Continue reading →

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October 5, 1947: Santa Monica Police Link Killing of Teenage Girl to Earlier Stabbing of Teenage Girl

Posted on October 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 5, 1947: Police link the stabbings of Barbara Jean Morse and Lillian Dominguez, as well as a third attack. Continue reading →

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October 5, 1909: Dies on Gold in a Filthy Cot

Posted on October 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 4, 1909: Richard Johnson Proctor, 79, was known to everyone in Santa Ana as a penniless old man. When he died in city’s dingiest tenement house, a search of his room turned up more than $3,500. Continue reading →

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October 5, 1907: White Neighbors Fight Hilliard Stricklin’s Retirement Home for Blacks

Posted on October 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 5, 1907: Hilliard Stricklin wanted to do something for his fellow Blacks: A facility for the elderly and orphaned children, naming it in honor of his mother. White neighbors thought he was bluffing until workers showed up on the site. And then they were furious. Continue reading →

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October 4, 1957: A second take

Posted on October 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 4, 1957: University professor Page Smith says students are fed up with American history. “The hall of history through which they have been led often resembles a taxidermist’s shop full of respectfully stuffed figures which give off an odor of dust and decay.” Continue reading →

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October 4, 1957: Madness

Posted on October 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 4, 1957: Allene Durston, dying of bone cancer, kidnaps her grandson, Ronald White, 9, kills him and commits suicide. Continue reading →

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