Monthly Archives: October 2026

Harry Houdini: An Interview by Marcet Haldeman-Julius, October 1925

Posted on October 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

On the centennial of Houdini’s death, here’s an interview with him from October 1925 Continue reading →

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October 31, 1957: Trick or Treat Murder

Posted on October 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 31, 1957: The Trick-or-Treat Murder. Joan and Goldyne planned for months on killing hairdresser Peter Fabiano on Halloween. Investigation revealed that Fabiano had recently reconciled with his wife, Betty, after separating over her relationship with Joan. Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, 1957, Homicide, LAPD, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

October 28, 1956: Charlton Heston on the ‘Ten Commandments’

Posted on October 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 28, 1956: Religion writer Dan Thrapp interviews Charlton Heston about his role as Moses in “The Ten Commandments.” Continue reading →

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October 28, 1938: Mayor investigates honorary LAPD badges

Posted on October 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 28, 1938: Mayor Fletcher Bowron calls for an investigation into so-called juice badges given to celebrities and others by the LAPD. This eventually resulted in an overhaul of the badge to its current design. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on October 28, 1938: Mayor investigates honorary LAPD badges

October 28, 1907: Former LAPD Chief Calls It ‘Most Detestable Job Ever Created’

Posted on October 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 28, 1907: A former LAPD chief says the job is the worst in the city. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia Book Club for October 2026

Posted on October 27, 2026 by lmharnisch

In the 10th episode of the Black Dahlia Book Club, I discussed a 1959 TV episode based on Joseph Dumais’ false confession in the murder of Elizabeth Short. Video at https://www.youtube.com/LMHarnisch Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 26, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious musician! Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

October 23, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 23, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 23, 1959: An out-of-town driver with a two-way radio gets lost on the freeway, so a trucker and KTTV’s mobile unit lead him through the baffling interchange, Matt Weinstock says. Continue reading →

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October 22, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 22, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 22, 1959: Gov. Pat Brown is getting out of the proclamation business, Matt Weinstock says. Continue reading →

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October 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 20, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 21, 1959: Jerry Leshay, associate director of the George Gobel show, realized the program was running a few seconds long, so he cut his own credit off the end of the show. Continue reading →

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October 19, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 19, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 19, 1959: I crossed orbits again the other day with Peter O’Crotty, writer, beachcomber and enthusiastic fugitive from civilization.  Pete, a fun-loving, charming gentleman to whom crazy things are always happening — with his help, it must be added — disappeared into the desert below Tucson about five years ago. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 19, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow who is somewhat shy. Continue reading →

Posted in 1936, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

October 17, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 17, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 17, 1959: Matt Weinstock describes “earthquake weather,” though he concedes there is no such thing. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 2 Comments

November 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 17, 2026 by lmharnisch

November 12, 1959: The killing of Lillian Kenorak, and Paul Coates on juvenile delinquency. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on November 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

October 16, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 16, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 16,1959: Matt Weinstock interviews a veteran film editor who discusses his recent work on a film for the teen trade. Continue reading →

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October 14, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 14, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 14, 1959: It’s “wine week,” but any vino is “fino” with Matt Weinstock. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia Book Club – Coming October 27, 2026

Posted on October 13, 2026 by lmharnisch

Reminder: The Black Dahlia Book Club will meet a week later than usual: October 27 at 10 a.m. Pacific time at YouTube.com/LMHarnisch. Up for charity auction, a signed first edition of Michael Connelly’s ‘The Drop.’ Continue reading →

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October 12, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 12, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 12, 1959: A retired councilman gets calls from angry man who distinctly remembers voting for him in the last election — in which he didn’t run. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on October 12, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 12, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow. His mystery companion has been cropped out due to lack of mysteriousness and will appear later in the week. Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Television | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments

October 9, 1994: Julius Shulman Q & A

Posted on October 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

October 9, 1994: A Q&A with photographer Julius Shulman, about to turn 84. Continue reading →

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