Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

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 →

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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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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