Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

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 →

Posted in #courts, 1931, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | Leave a comment

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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September 9, 1907: Taft Leads Bryan in Presidential Poll

Posted on September 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 9, 1907: More than a year before the 1908 presidential election, Republican William Howard Taft is far and away the favorite over Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a straw poll reported by The Times. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1908, Elections, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black Dahlia Book Club — Coming September 15, 2026

Posted on September 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

Reminder: The next session of the Black Dahlia Book Club is Tuesday, September 15, at 10 a.m. Pacific time at YouTube.com/LMHarnisch. I will discuss the LAPD files in the Black Dahlia case and conclude the charity auction of Michael Connelly’s ‘The Narrows.’ Continue reading →

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September 8, 1931: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on September 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 8, 1931: Christine Collins, whose experiences inspired the Clint Eastwood movie ‘Changeling,’ writes to prison officials urging a parole for her husband, Walter Collins. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1931, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Robberies | Leave a comment

September 8, 1907: Actor Guilty of ‘Mashing’ Young Woman

Posted on September 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 8, 1907: A judge fines Jack Foster, a handsome, blond actor who is the toast of the vaudeville circuit, $90 in lieu of time on the city chain gang after the entertainer flirted with a young lady waiting for her husband to return from buying a cigar. Continue reading →

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September 7, 1907: Typhoid, Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever and Tuberculosis

Posted on September 7, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 7,1907: No measles or smallpox cases for August, and diphtheria, scarlet fever and tuberculosis are down. Typhoid cases, however, are increasing. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 7, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have our leading man. This will make more sense later in the week. Continue reading →

Posted in 1936, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

September 3, 1943: Los Angeles Tattoo Shops

Posted on September 3, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 2, 1943: One of my favorite finds from the city archives — a visit to Los Angeles’ tattoo shops. Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, City Hall, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Libraries, Photography, World War II | Comments Off on September 3, 1943: Los Angeles Tattoo Shops

Charity Auction: Michael Connelly’s ‘The Narrows’

Posted on September 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

I am auctioning, for charity, a first edition of Michael Connelly’s The Narrows, signed and inscribed by the author. Jacket has the usual rubbing, etc. A good reading copy. Continue reading →

Posted in Black Dahlia, Black Dahlia Book Club, Books and Authors | Tagged , , | 1 Comment