Monthly Archives: September 2026

September 30, 1886: ‘An Orgie Such as Even the Most Salacious Pen of Ancient Rome Never Dared Describe’

Posted on September 30, 2026 by lmharnisch

Sept. 30, 1886: The Times describes an all-night “orgie” in the apartments over Eckert’s saloon involving Walter S. Moore, running for secretary of state, three other men and “four common prostitutes.” By morning, Moore was trying to rouse the waiter to get a photographer ‘for an obscene purpose.’ Continue reading →

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Reminder: My Next Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia Case Is October 6

Posted on September 29, 2026 by lmharnisch

Reminder: The next Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case is at 10 a.m. Pacific time Tuesday at YouTube.com/LMHarnisch The next Black Dahlia Book Club is October 27 at 10 a.m. on my YouTube channel. See you then! Continue reading →

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September 28, 1938: Los Angeles Mayor Begins City Hall Cleanup

Posted on September 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 28, 1938: Mayor Fletcher Bowron begins a cleanup of City Hall, asking for the resignations of 117 members of 22 city commissions. Germany issues a new ultimatum on Czechoslovakia, King George VI places Britain under a state of emergency, and Hank Greenberg hits his 57th home run. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, September 28, 1931

Posted on September 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 28, 1931: George Anderson of the Los Angeles Railway system, writes a letter to prison officials saying he has no objection to parole for Walter Collins, who was sentenced for holding up the railway. The murder of Collins’ son was the basis for the Clint Eastwood film ‘Changeling.’ Continue reading →

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September 28, 1907: L.A. Motorcycle Club Backs Ban on Loud Pipes

Posted on September 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 28, 1907: Members of the Los Angeles Motorcycle Club have written to officials in support of a measure banning loud exhaust pipes on motorcycles. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a masked man conducting a weird ceremony. Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 27 Comments

September 22, 1947: Avak the Healer Comes to Los Angeles

Posted on September 22, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 22, 1947: Hundreds of people throw themselves at his feet to kiss the hem of his robes or simply to occupy the chair where he had been sitting. And then Avak the Healer was gone; nothing but a memory. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 21, 2026 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1943 Columbia film What a Woman, with Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne, Willard Parker, Alan Dinehart, Edward Fielding, Ann Savage, Norma Varden, Douglas Wood and Grady Sutton.

Posted in 1943, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Black Dahlia: Daniel Curtis Interview on The Growth Time Machine

Posted on September 18, 2026 by lmharnisch

I had a pleasant chat with Daniel Curtis about the Black Dahlia, British vs. American mystery writers, Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare, Jack the Ripper — and Mozart! Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia Book Club for September 2026

Posted on September 15, 2026 by lmharnisch

The Black Dahlia Book Club for September 2026 is posted on youtube.com/@lmharnisch/streams Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 14, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious switchboard operator and an enigmatic caller. Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

September 13, 1963: Woman’s Body Found Behind Wall in Highland Park Home

Posted on September 13, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 13, 1963: Joseph Lewis of Highland Park wasn’t terribly concerned when his wife, Anna, disappeared. It was only when her daughter returned from vacation that police were notified. Continue reading →

Posted in 1963, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

September 12, 1947: L.A. Times Columnist Lee Shippey

Posted on September 12, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 12, 1947: Times columnist Lee Shippey writes about four women (gasp) who invaded the sanctum of the Zamorano Club! And a mini biography of Shippey (I failed to mention that he was blind, though he rarely talked about it). Continue reading →

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September 12, 1944: Wife Stabs Venice Man to Death

Posted on September 12, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 12, 1944: September 12, 1944: Charles Holdren, 45, lived at 1515 Trolleyway, Venice, with his wife, Ellen, and daughters from a previous marriage. He worked as a fish cutter and after Charles and Ellen had spent Sunday drinking heavily, he decided to go to bed. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Los Angeles City Hall, September 11, 2011

Posted on September 11, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 11, 2011: On the 10th anniversary of 9/11 a huge flag hangs on the side of Los Angeles City Hall. Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Photography | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

September 10, 1947: In Love but Unable to Marry First Cousin, 17, Man Shoots Himself

Posted on September 10, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1947: David Everett, a 30-year-old mechanic, is in critical condition at Torrance General Hospital after shooting himself in the head and neck in despondency over his frustrated love for his 17-year-old first cousin Janet. And yes, she lives in a trailer park. Continue reading →

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September 10, 1931: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on September 10, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1931: Christine Collins, whose experiences inspired the Clint Eastwood movie ‘Changeling,’ writes to the warden seeking release for her husband, Walter. Continue reading →

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September 10, 1907: Horoscope — ‘A Very Uncertain Day’

Posted on September 10, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1907: Horoscope: A very uncertain day. No evil omens glare anywhere but in all aspects there lies a heavy veil, defying those who would peer into this day. Beware, therefore, of all and any unconsidered act. Continue reading →

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Dodger players buy homes in Compton, September 9, 1958

Posted on September 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 9, 1958: The Dodgers are settling down in Los Angeles. Charlie Neal and Johnny Roseboro buy homes in Compton while Ed Roebuck is building a house in Long Beach. Continue reading →

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Sept. 9, 1947: Model Destroys Fake Painting Showing Her Semi-Nude

Posted on September 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 9, 1947: Model Carol Janis destroys a painting in which her head was placed on a semi-nude figure. Men: It’s the end of straw hat season and felt hat season begins. Morning tip: Try a little salt in your coffee! Continue reading →

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