Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Feb. 19, 1907: Orange County Accuses L.A. County of Attempted ‘Land Grab’ of Beach Towns

Posted on February 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb. 19, 1907 Los Angeles A quick trip to the Thomas Bros. will show that Los Angeles County doesn’t look like this, but it’s not for lack of trying. The wealthy men … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging “Black Dahlia Files” Part 17 — The Lookies

Posted on February 18, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Above, one of the formative publications of my youth, which was included with the purchase of the World Book Encyclopedia. The Lookies had a wonderful motto: “We don’t guess, we look it … Continue reading →

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Feb. 18, 2007: Architectural Ramblings

Posted on February 18, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb. 18, 2007 Los Angeles The buildings featured in The Times for this week have been torn down, but in glancing through the listings, I found the sale by the Althouse brothers … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging "Black Dahlia Files" Part 16 — A Moment of Silence

Posted on February 17, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Wednesday was the 61st anniversary of the kidnapping of 6-year-old Rochelle Gluskoter from the frontyard of a home around the corner from where her parents, Abe and Miriam, were preparing to open … Continue reading →

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Feb. 17, 1907: Before Staples Center — City Straightens 12th Street

Posted on February 17, 2018 by lmharnisch

Above, a vanished landmark: The Schermerhorn Inn, at Potter Park, a street that has disappeared. Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb. 17, 1907 Los Angeles West 12th Street between Main and Hoover is maddeningly crooked, but how … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging "Black Dahlia Files" Part 15 — Time for a Reality Check

Posted on February 16, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. I was all set, or so I thought, for today’s entry. And then something fell in my lap that I simply couldn’t ignore. Let’s suppose you are an established author with a … Continue reading →

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Black L.A., 1947: Stylish Men in Harlem Wearing Berets

Posted on February 15, 2018 by lmharnisch

At top, the home at 2443 S. St. Andrews Place is for sale at $16,500 cash or $18,000 “terms.” Above, the 2400 block of South St. Andrews Place via Google Street View. Feb. 13, 1947: Columnist Bill Smallwood says “Richard … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging "Black Dahlia Files" Part 14 — Teutonic Thoroughness

Posted on February 15, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Several years ago, I was interviewed by a writer for the German magazine Stern about the Black Dahlia case. In explaining what was wrong with the various Dahlia books, I said: “They … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Ritual Sacrifice? Now I Have Heard Everything – And My Hair Is On Fire

Posted on February 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

I thought I had heard every possible crackpot idea about the Black Dahlia case (including comments on the blog that aren’t fit for publication). But ritual sacrifice? As Zippy the Pinhead would say: Yow!

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Black L.A., 1947: ‘Why Do 14-Year-Old Girls Get Drunk and Fall Into Bed With Men?’ Judge Asks

Posted on February 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Sentinel runs a publicity photo of Flora Washington, who released “Broken Hearted” and “If I Ever Cry, You’ll Never Know” on the United Artist label in 1946. Flora Washington sings “Broken Hearted” via Archive.org.   Feb. 13, 1947: Municipal … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging "Black Dahlia Files" Part 13 — The Subject Is Roses

Posted on February 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. I always cut my roses on Jan. 15 as a memorial to Elizabeth Short, because I remember that on the night before the body was found a neighbor had a strange encounter … Continue reading →

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Feb. 14-15, 1907: Gas Explosion in Downtown L.A. Levels Building, Kills 7

Posted on February 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb. 14-15, 1907 Los Angeles An 11:30 a.m. blast caused by an accumulation of gas shattered the Rawson building at 114 W. 2nd St. in an explosion blamed on a gas company … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Judge Backs Racial Ban, Orders Native Americans Out of West Hollywood Home

Posted on February 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Feb. 13, 1947: Dorothy Bradley becomes the first African American cashier hired at the Safeway grocery store in Watts. She was hired as the result of a campaign by the Watts Citizens Welfare committee protesting Safeway’s refusal to hired black … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging "Black Dahlia Files" Part 12 — I’m My Own Grandpaw

Posted on February 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Page 16 In the Black Dahlia books, all roads lead to William Randolph Fowler and it would be interesting to see how a sociologist would make a graph of the incestuous literary … Continue reading →

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Feb. 13, 1907: Hotel Alexandria Celebrates 1st Anniversary

Posted on February 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb.13, 1907 Los Angeles An enormous masked ball for the city’s elite was staged on Mardi Gras at Kramer’s Studio and Dancing Academy, 1500 S. Figueroa.

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood National Bank Watches History Go By

Posted on February 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Carol Hughes as photographed by Schuyler Crail, with Hollywood and Cahuenga in the background, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2016. One of the most important and busiest intersections in Hollywood has always been … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Jazz Musicians Outraged by Esquire Jazz Book for 1947

Posted on February 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Feb. 13, 1947: Coming to the Shrine Auditorium – Esquire Award winners Lester Young, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Lucky Thompson, Benny Carter, Dodo Marmarosa, Barney Kessell and Vic Dickenson. Feb. 13, 1947: Esquire magazine began an annual poll in 1943 … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Blogging "Black Dahlia Files" Part 11 — The Thrill Is Gone

Posted on February 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Page 14 “Hansen studied the body and the ‘sacred setting’ for some time before he stood up and said to Finis, ‘We won’t know what we’re really dealing with here until we … Continue reading →

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Location Sleuth

Posted on February 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Look what I found while watching the opening of “Some Like It Hot.” Why it’s signage for a 1950s Standard gas station. Hey isn’t that going to be in the shot? Naw, don’t worry about it.

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie has been the 1954 Italian film “Voyage to Italy” or “Journey to Italy,” with George “Georges” Sanders and Ingrid Bergman. It was directed by Roberto Rossellini. The film is available on DVD from the Criterion Collection.

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