Monthly Archives: December 2025

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

One of my favorite books on Los Angeles is the 1940 Nuestro Pueblo, collected from pieces in the Los Angeles Times, with artwork by Charles Owens and text by Joseph Seewerker. Continue reading →

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December 9, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 9, 1959: A reporter for Ici Paris is assigned an interview with Caryl Chessman, and Matt Weinstock has the story. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1959, art and artists, broadcasting, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Television | Leave a comment

December 9, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 9, 1959: A man calling himself Tony tells Paul Coates that he killed Jack “The Enforcer” Whalen, but Coates is skeptical. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Mickey Cohen, Paul Coates | Leave a comment

‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – December 16

Posted on December 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I will do an Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel next Tuesday, December 16, at 10 a.m. Pacific time on YouTube. Have questions? Leave them in the comments. Continue reading →

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

Posted on December 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 9, 1907: 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 that Bowen, who is Black, blames on racism. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Film Books for the Holidays

Posted on December 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory has suggestions for holiday books for film fans. Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

FBI Rounds Up Japanese in Hunt for Subversives, Dec. 8, 1941

Posted on December 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 8, 1941: The FBI begins rounding up 200 “alien Japanese suspected of subversive activities.”
Several truckloads of Japanese were seen passing through Brea toward Pomona, Brea police reported, and orders to stop all cars bearing Japanese and to confiscate maps and binoculars or radios were given. Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Aviation, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Nuestro Pueblo, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

In our exploration of “unsuitable” movies, we have the most “unsuitable” one yet, as in extremely “unsuitable.” Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 33 Comments

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

Posted on December 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 8, 1907: Three members of the Schiffman family who are Jewish refugees from Baku, Russia: Sigmund, the father; Benjamin, 15; and Emella [or Emelia], 10. They have been brought to Los Angeles as part of the Galveston Plan, in which Jews were taken to Galveston, Texas, for dispersal throughout the West because New York was overcrowded. Continue reading →

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A Firsthand History Lesson on Pearl Harbor

Posted on December 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

My seventh-grade history teacher, Rene Humbert, was at Pearl Harbor and the anniversary told the class about his experiences. This is his memoir. Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Education, History, World War II | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

December 3, 1941: L.A. County Cuts Welfare Costs, Pays Immigrants to Go Back to Mexico — Updated

Posted on December 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 3, 1941: To reduce the welfare rolls, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approves paying $100 [$1,441.19 USD 2009] to immigrants to move back to Mexico. Continue reading →

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December 5, 1907: Man Accused of Scheme in Selling Daughter to Gypsies

Posted on December 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 5, 1907: A Los Angeles couple have a novel way of making money: Antonio Thompson and his wife sell their daughter Marie to the Gypsies, then go to court to get her back. According to statements taken in St. Louis, Marie has been sold off several times as a Gypsy princess. Continue reading →

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December 4, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 4,1959: Matt Weinstock looks at the public relations industry’s attempts to improve its image. Continue reading →

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December 4, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 4, 1959: Paul Coates has the story of Roger “The Terrible” Touhy, Prohibition gangland boss who was finally released from prison. Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Mickey Cohen, Paul Coates | Comments Off on December 4, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

December 4, 1959: Mickey Cohen Arrested

Posted on December 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 4, 1959: Mickey Cohen is arrested in the cafe slaying of Jack “The Enforcer” Whalen. Cohen is a “perfect gentleman,” says companion Sandy Hashagen, 18. Continue reading →

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December 4, 1911: Man Arrested for ‘Masquerading in Female Attire’

Posted on December 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 4, 1911: Clarence Westfall, 22, is arrested for masquerading in female attire when the boat from San Diego docks in San Pedro. Continue reading →

Posted in 1908, 1911, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Fashions, LAPD, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Streetcars | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on December 4, 1911: Man Arrested for ‘Masquerading in Female Attire’

December 4, 1907: Shooting on Baldwin Ranch Raises Tensions Between Chinese, Latino Workers

Posted on December 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 4, 1907: Shooting on Lucky Baldwin’s ranch raises tensions between Chinese and Latino workers. Continue reading →

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December 3, 1907: Gunman Kills LAPD Officer; Dies in Slow Agony Awaiting the Gallows

Posted on December 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 3,1907: Daniel Meskil kills LAPD Officer Patrick Lyons, who was trying to arrest Meskil and his companion, Rolla Robe. Meskil was sentenced to be hanged at San Quentin, but died of injuries from jumping off a roof during an escape attempt. Continue reading →

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December 2, 1958: Model stabbed, dumped off mountain highway

Posted on December 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 2, 1958: Model Charlotte Trosper is found stabbed to death in a clump of bushes off Angeles Crest Highway. Boyfriend Gerald Feasby was convicted in the killing. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1958, Courts, Crime and Courts, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off on December 2, 1958: Model stabbed, dumped off mountain highway

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, December 2025

Posted on December 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case includes a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a brief introduction to the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading →

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