Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Dec. 14, 1947: Chess Columnist Seeks Help for Ailing Grand Master Geza Maroczy

Posted on December 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. It’s hard to reduce so many important stories to three-bullet items … like blood flowing in the streets of Jerusalem and Jaffa … Earl E. Kynette … Continue reading →

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Dec. 14, 1907: L.A. Schools Ban Mention of Christ at Christmas (Uh-Oh)

Posted on December 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 14, 1907 Los Angeles The madman who calls himself the superintendent of the Los Angeles schools has touched off an absolute firestorm of anger by ordering teachers not to mention Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Education, Music, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Paul Bryan Gray was recently mentioned in the Los Angeles Times as the author of “A Clamor for Equality,” the biography of Francisco Ramirez, who published Los Angeles’ first entirely Spanish-language newspaper, … Continue reading →

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Al Martinez, a Dying Boy and Some Peaches — A (Non) Christmas Story

Posted on December 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2015. Jim Romenesko, for those who aren’t in the news business, runs an essential blog that serves as a clearing house for information, gossip, bad headlines and assorted gaffes. A Jan. 6 post … Continue reading →

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An Early Christmas for Children With Terminal Illnesses

Posted on December 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. One of the tragic staples in The Times is stories of young cancer patients who received their presents early because they weren’t expected to live until … Continue reading →

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

December 13, 1907: The Annual Rite of ‘Messiah’ at Cold, Drafty Shrine Auditorium

Posted on December 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Los AngelesDecember 13, 1907What do we find in music criticism of another era? Let’s take a good look.“ ‘The Messiah’ was presented at Shrine Auditorium by the Apollo Club last night, and … Continue reading →

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December 1947: ‘Half of Police Work Caused by Drunks!’

Posted on December 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Quote of the day: “The atomic bomb was characterized yesterday as ‘the greatest blessing ever to befall the Japanese.’ ” Col. Herbert L. Herberts, making the … Continue reading →

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

Dec. 12, 1907: Recreation Center to Be Built in Heart of Industrial District

Posted on December 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec.12, 1907 Los Angeles In the gritty, industrial heart of the 8th Ward at Holly Street and St. John, officials are planning a large recreation facility “as an oasis in the wilderness,” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1910, Architecture, Downtown | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

December 1947: Igor Stravinsky at Work on ‘The Rake’s Progress’

Posted on December 11, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. In late November, composer Igor Stravinsky had a guest at his home in the Hollywood Hills (The Times is elusive as to its exact location). His … Continue reading →

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December 12, 1907: The .45-Caliber Newspaper Ombudsman

Posted on December 11, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. December 12, 1907 Los Angeles via the Associated Press Goldfield, Nev.—J. Holtman Buck, editor of the Western Nevada Miner in Mina, Nev., shot Francis L. Burton to death during a fight over … Continue reading →

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Nowhere to Go but Up: L.A. Times Seeks a Book Editor

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Quakebot, the annoying Twitter account that erupts in panic whenever there is a 2.1 quake in Hayfork, Calif., was silent last Sunday, so apparently there was no seismic upheaval in El Segundo when Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1964 film “Nothing but a Man,” with Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, unit manager William Rhodes, assistant cameraman Peter Vollstadt, electrician Frank Sukosd,  location manager Philip Clarkson, assistant Clayton Riley, costumes by Nancy Ruffing, secretary … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood Sign Built and Illuminated November-December 1923

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Hollywoodland Sign, in a photo published in the Los Angeles Evening Herald, Dec. 8, 1923. Note: This is an encore post from 2017. Originally constructed as a publicity gimmick and branding symbol to help generate sales for a real … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

December 1947: ‘Taxi Army’ Saves Tel Aviv

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Quote of the day: “Dream Dress to dance into 1948—Young sorceress of the wand-waist, bouffant skirt school, whirls through the holidays in the luminous splendor of … Continue reading →

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1920: Police Raid Party at Ex-Mayor’s Home, Arrest 7 Men in Drag

Posted on December 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 10,1907 Los Angeles Mayor Arthur C. Harper happens to be in all sorts of trouble. He’s telling the newspapers that he has had enough of politics and won’t seek another term. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1909, 1912, City Hall, Crime and Courts, Downtown, LAPD, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dec. 2, 1938: California’s First Use of Gas Chamber Horrifies Witnesses; Hanging Is ‘Quicker and Better’

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project.   The Times editorialized: Kessel and Cannon were two of five convicts who twisted a wire around the warden’s neck and dragged him into the prison … Continue reading →

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Dec. 9, 1907: Black LAPD Officer Blames Firing on Racism, Rejoins Fire Department

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 9, 1907 Los Angeles Mayor Harper has restored E.J. Bowen to his old job in the Fire Department after the rookie police officer was fired for allegedly being a coward—a charge … Continue reading →

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Follies Theater’s 1927 ‘Hot Mamma’ Show Led Court to Overturn Law on ‘Indecent Shows’

Posted on December 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

A EBay vendor posted this photo of a woman named Aline or Alene Carberry, and I could not resist unleashing the hounds of research. Bidding on the “Hot Mamma” photo is currently at $34.50.

Posted in 1927, Crime and Courts, Found on EBay, Photography, Stage | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Follies Theater’s 1927 ‘Hot Mamma’ Show Led Court to Overturn Law on ‘Indecent Shows’

December 1947: Forget-Me-Nots for the Rose Queens of Yesteryear

Posted on December 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. What has become of the Rose Queens of yesteryear? What has happened to the girls who in the past have ruled over the glamour, excitement … Continue reading →

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Dec. 8, 1907: Jewish Refugees, Fleeing Russian Persecution, Come to L.A.

Posted on December 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Dec. 8, 1907 Los Angeles I’ll apologize now, for this is an account with more questions than answers; a story of heartbreak and hope without an ending. The Times features three members … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Education, Immigration, Religion | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment