Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

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

Posted on November 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 4, 1947: In a possible riff on Sadie Hawkins Day, the co-eds of East Los Angeles Junior College observe Women’s Week, devoted to frustrating the male students, at least according to The Times. And in the “Kinder, Gentler Time Dept.” Women’s Week ends with “slave day.” Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 4, 1907: Luck finally runs out for Eugene Rowe’s runabout, which was repaired after being smashed by a trolley, then crashed during practice for the Thanksgiving run. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Fighting to Bring ‘Salt of the Earth’ to the Screen

Posted on November 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory looks at the fight to bring the 1954 film ‘Salt of the Earth’ to the screen. Continue reading →

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November 3, 1958: 44 shopping days until Christmas

Posted on November 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 3, 1958: Only 44 shopping days until Christmas. And check out those aluminum trees! Continue reading →

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November 3, 1958: Officials turn away football crowds at Coliseum

Posted on November 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 3, 1958: More than 100,000 people watch the Rams vs. the Bears at the Coliseum, with 10,000 more people turned away, Keith Thursby writes. Continue reading →

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November 3, 1941: Wingy Manone Puts the Swing in Swing Shift

Posted on November 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 3, 1941: Tom Treanor goes to a dance at the Glendale Civic Auditorium for swing shift workers, about 5,000 of them, from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Most of the couples are married, he says, and the wives are 18 or 19. Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Dance, Film, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on November 3, 1941: Wingy Manone Puts the Swing in Swing Shift

Movieland ‘Unsuitable’ Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on November 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday in this week’s “unsuitable” mystery movie, we have a mysterious hot dog vendor. Continue reading →

Posted in 1930, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

November 3, 1907: A House With Curb Appeal

Posted on November 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 3, 1907: Mrs. E.N. Eskey is building this 10-room house in Pico Heights, on Van Ness just south of Pico. Continue reading →

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Daylight Saving Time Ends: A Reminder From Pier Angeli and the Daily Mirror

Posted on November 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

Pier Angeli and her little friend with a reminder that turn your clocks back an hour. Daylight Saving Time ends today. Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 1, 1947: Ruffians from UCLA kidnap USC mascot George Tirebiter and shave “UCLA” into his coat. Continue reading →

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October 31, 1957: Trick or Treat murder

Posted on October 31, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 31, 1957: The Trick-or-Treat Murder. Joan and Goldyne planned for months on killing hairdresser Peter Fabiano on Halloween. Investigation revealed that Fabiano had recently reconciled with his wife, Betty, after separating over her relationship with Joan. Continue reading →

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October 30, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 30, 1959: A woman walking to the store is “kidnapped” by a bus of Stanford graduates en route to the football game against USC, Matt Weinstock says. (Stanford lost). Continue reading →

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October 30, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 30, 1959: Touring Japan, Paul Coates writes about the complicated tradition of “saving face.” Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 30: 1907: 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 ban issued last year. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory: Hollywood Heights – ‘Auction of Souls’

Posted on October 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory looks at the life of Aurora Mardiganian and the film ‘Auction of Souls’ Continue reading →

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October 29, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 29, 1959: An admirer goes all-out wishing Beverly a happy birthday, Matt Weinstock says. Continue reading →

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October 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 29, 1959: One of the main beneficiaries of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s leadership of Japan after World War II was the nation’s women, Paul Coates says. Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 29, 1907: A labor dispute forces an opera company’s performance of “Mignon” to use local players, almost entirely unrehearsed, leading the conductor to exclaim: “Oh, God, the bassoon!” Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Oct. 28, 1959

Posted on October 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 28, 1959: Janice, 11, saves her money for more than a year to send her parents on the honeymoon they never had because they married during World War II, Matt Weinstock writes. Continue reading →

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October 28, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 28, 1959:  LADIES DAY IN TOKYO:  The flowery era of Madame Butterfly is dying, but not quite dead in the postwar life of Japan, Paul Coates writes, Continue reading →

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