Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Oct. 30, 1907: ‘Brat Frat’ Defies Ban by L.A. High School

Posted on October 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 30, 1907 Los Angeles The young men of Los Angeles High School have issued a direct challenge to the Board of Education, defying its authority by enlisting fraternity members despite a … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1922 “The Toll of the Sea,” one of the earliest two-strip Technicolor features. Story by Frances Marion, directed by Chester M. Franklin, photographic direction by J.A. Ball, with Anna May Wong, Kenneth Harlan, Beatrice … Continue reading →

Posted in 1922, Asians, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 50 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘That’s My Baby’ Promotes Popularity of Baby Peggy

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Film studios often employed gimmicks as ways to build word of mouth, increase box office, and promote movie stars throughout the golden age of Hollywood. Pennants, dolls, photos, dishes, and even sheet music produced in conjunction with sponsors or major … Continue reading →

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October 29, 1907: ‘Oh, God, The Bassoon!’ Musicians Union Dispute Becomes Operatic

Posted on October 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. October 29, 1907 Los Angeles Given The Times’ view of unions, it’s a little difficult to determine precisely what went wrong with a production of Ambroise Thomas’ “Mignon” at the Auditorium, but … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Idaho’s Singing Cowboy Senator, a Future Toupee Tycoon, Saddles Up for Cross-Country Ride

Posted on October 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Sen. Glen H. Taylor (D-Idaho) gave up his cross-country trip after three days, arriving in Phoenix by car with the admission that “he bit off … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 28, 1907 Los Angeles You know the song even if you’ve never seen “Pirates of Penzance”: A policeman’s lot is not a happy one” and that is doubly true for one … Continue reading →

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Black Cat Sandwiches: Frightening Food From the 1940s

Posted on October 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. The night of witches and hobgoblins is a beloved holiday to all children. Exciting masquerade dress, gleaming jack o’ lanterns, eerie black cats, laughter and traditional … Continue reading →

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On the Comics Page

Posted on October 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 27, 1907 Los Angeles Along with “Little Nemo,” “Buster Brown” was a popular feature of the Sunday comics. Like other cartoons of the era, such as “The Katzenjammer Kids” and “Foxy … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Books and Authors, Comics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

October 1947: New DC-6 Catches Fire in Midair, Crashes 30 Seconds Short of Landing Field

Posted on October 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. America’s first postwar airliner, the DC-6, was given a royal debut in a ceremony March 28, 1947, at Douglas’ Santa Monica plant attended by 15,000 people, … Continue reading →

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Oct. 26, 1907: Women Clean Clothes With Gasoline, Die After Explosion and Fire

Posted on October 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 26, 1907 Los Angeles Two women in the West Adams District were badly burned and expected to die after a bowl of gasoline they were using to clean a soiled dress … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Toyoda of Japan Sells First Postwar Sedan for $5,000

Posted on October 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. 1957—Toyota Motors announces plans to enter the U.S. market with a four-seat “midget car” ($1,000-$1,200) and a six-seat Toyopet Crown De Luxe ($2,200). The Land Cruiser … Continue reading →

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

Oct. 25, 1907: L.A. Bids Adieu to the Boys of Summer as Pacific Coast League Ends Season

Posted on October 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. “A dollar’s worth of wholesome fun is really worth a dollar and a half ($40.04 USD 2017).”

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October 1947: A Shopping Reminder From Bullock’s

Posted on October 24, 2018 by lmharnisch
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Oct. 24, 1907: Sanitarium Doctor Tells Patients to ‘Live on Love’ and Forget About Food

Posted on October 24, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 24, 1907 Los Angeles Upon the suicide in February of Dr. H. Russell Burner, advocate of the “radium milk” cure, his sanitarium at 2033 E. 4th St. was taken over by … Continue reading →

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October 23, 1947: Hollywood Fashion Designer, Partner Die Within Hours; Family Sues Over Estate of Men With ‘Strange Attachment’

Posted on October 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.. Robert and Joseph were close—even in death. They shared a home filled with antiques, bric-a-brac and paintings at 4329 Agnes Ave. in North Hollywood, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on October 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1941 Warner Bros. picture “Father’s Son,” with John Litel, Frieda Inescort, Billy Dawson and Christian Rub. The screenplay was by Fred Niblo Jr., from a story by Booth Tarkington. Photography by Allen G. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 40 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Tam O’Shanter Celebrates the Art of Dining

Posted on October 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Tam O’Shanter, as seen in the 1920s, when Los Feliz Boulevard was a dirt road. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library. Opened 96 years ago, the storybook-style Tam O’Shanter Inn has always provided homey dining with stylish flair. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1922, Architecture, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

October 1947: Firefighter Sits Through Movie With Dead Friend to Avoid Audience Panic

Posted on October 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Moviegoers Walter Saul of Cincinnati and his wife had just settled into their seats for a double feature with his friend Aloysius Bollin and son Joseph … Continue reading →

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Oct. 22, 1907: Mayor’s Son Gives a Lesson in Identifying L.A. County Sheriff’s Badges

Posted on October 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Oct. 22, 1907 Los Angeles A trolley conductor at 4th Street and Hill complained to a patrolman that one of the passengers looked like a holdup man. The officer investigated and laughed … Continue reading →

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Oct. 21, 1907: L.A. Doctor Wants to Exterminate Cats Over Their Diet of Diseased Rats

Posted on October 21, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Evel (whom I mistakenly called “Evil”) in the last paragraph was the cat of Kim Cooper and Richard Schave. Oct. 21, 1907 Los Angeles There’s no shortage of opinions on how to … Continue reading →

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