Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Nov. 6, 1947: LAPD Officer Kills Black Suspect in Market Burglary

Posted on November 6, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.. The Times did absolutely no follow-up to this incident as to whether Everline was tried in the burglary, nor was there any apparent investigation of the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Comics, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Nov. 6, 1907: An EBay Mystery

Posted on November 6, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 6, 1907 Los Angeles Here’s a real mystery, although a minor one, and like all real mysteries, it is incomplete and may have no solution. Exhibit 1: This postcard up for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1964 Twentieth Century-Fox picture “Back Door to Hell” with Jimmie Rodgers, Jack Nicholson, John Hackett, Annabelle Huggins, Conrad Maga, Johnny Monteiro, Joe Sison, Henry Duval, Ben Perez and Vic Uematsu. Photography by Mars … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: John Decker – Painter to the Stars

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Chester Conklin by John Decker, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2013. “To sing, to laugh, to dream, to walk in my own way and be alone…” A recording of John Decker’s voice recited this … Continue reading →

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Nov. 5, 1947: ‘Amazing Career of a Girl Drug Addict’

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Nov. 5, 1947: She called it “The Amazing Career of a Girl Drug Addict” and she wasn’t exaggerating—and yet she was. Arrested in October for driving … Continue reading →

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Nov. 5, 1907: Bride Travels From Scotland to Marry Fiance Seeking Better Life in L.A.

Posted on November 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 5, 1907 Los Angeles John Richie led the bass section of the choir at St. Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland, while Testristina Adams was a contralto. They sang in the choir … Continue reading →

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Nov. 4, 1947: East L.A. Junior College Observes ‘Women’s Week’; Jokes Ensue

Posted on November 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Nov. 4, 1947: Although it isn’t mentioned, this sounds like a riff on “Sadie Hawkins Day,” founded by “Li’l Abner” cartoonist Al Capp, who has been … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Comics, Education | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Nov. 4, 1907: Final Crash Finishes Off Ford Runabout, but Driver Survives to Race Again

Posted on November 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 4, 1907 Los Angeles About a year ago, Eugene Rowe’s little runabout was smashed by a trolley. After some repairs, it won a trophy, but a month later, it was wrecked … Continue reading →

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Nov. 3, 1947: University of Wisconsin Groups Back Women Facing Eviction for Dating Blacks

Posted on November 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

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November 3, 1907: A House With Curb Appeal

Posted on November 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. November 3, 1907 Los Angeles Mrs. E.N. Eskey is building this 10-room house in Pico Heights, on Van Ness just south of Pico. According to The Times, the two-story house (with basement) … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Architecture | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Location Sleuth: ‘Double Indemnity’

Posted on November 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Update: This is a post from 2006. The location was identified by Crime Buddy Nathan Marsak as Olive Street, with Philharmonic Auditorium and Pershing Square in the background. Here’s a frame grab from the opening shots of “Double Indemnity.” According … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Architecture, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth, Olive, Parks | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Frightening Toys From the 1940s: Glow-in-the-Dark Tom Mix Cowboy Spurs

Posted on November 2, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. All right, kids, let’s do some math. 1947 take away 1940 leaves 7. That’s how many years Tom Mix has been dead. Now some science… Does … Continue reading →

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Nov. 2, 1907: Beautification Campaign Would Make a Garden Spot of the L.A. River

Posted on November 2, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Nov. 2, 1907 Los Angeles As part of a new city beautification campaign, Boyle Heights residents have suggested turning the Los Angeles River into a garden spot. The plan calls for “a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: 1949 Letter Proves Nothing About Dr. George Hodel

Posted on November 1, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sorry, no. If you are familiar with Steve Hodel’s elevator pitch (“retired LAPD homicide cop discovers evil genius dad was maniacal serial killer”) you can skip all of this in the South Pasadenan. It’s more of the same old exaggerated … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Nov. 1, 1947: UCLA Ruffians Kidnap USC’s George Tirebiter!

Posted on November 1, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. The assault on USC’s campus canine prompted angry letters to The Times and a pointed barb on the sports pages. “Whoever did that had a warped … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Animals, Sports | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black L.A. 1947: Great-Grandmother Wins ‘Sepia Cinderella’ Contest

Posted on October 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 30, 1947: Annie Rhone, a 60-year-old great-grandmother, was chosen as the Sentinel’s “Sepia Cinderella” in a contest judged by Eddie “Rochester” Anderson and held at West Coast premiere of the film. “Sepia Cinderella” was directed by Arthur H. … Continue reading →

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Frightening Food From the 1940s: Instant G. Washington’s Soluble Coffee Product

Posted on October 31, 2018 by lmharnisch
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Oct. 31, 1907: Streetcar Crash at Spring and 2nd Kills 1, Injures 7

Posted on October 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 31, 1907 Los Angeles John J. Mooney, 23, a Southern Pacific machinist who recently arrived from Butte, Mont., was aboard the West 2nd Street car on his way to be initiated … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: This Week’s Juke Box Hits

Posted on October 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 30, 1947: Leading the juke box hits this week: Louis Jordan’s “Early in the Morning,” T-Bone Walker’s “I Know Your Wig Is Gone” and “Look Out” by Louis Jordan.

Posted in 1947, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

October 1947: Veteran’s Story of Adopting Enemy Soldier’s Daughter Leaves Troubling Questions

Posted on October 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Less than three years ago the average American solider in combat was under oath to kill Japanese—but yesterday it was learned that a former combat soldier, … Continue reading →

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