Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

September 2, 1947: Miss Muscle Beach of 1947

Posted on September 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 2, 1947: Vivian Crockett is chosen as Miss Muscle Beach of 1947 in the annual Labor Day contest in Santa Monica. Continue reading →

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September 2, 1910: Police Quell Labor Riot Over Body of Ironworker Killed at Alexandria Hotel

Posted on September 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 2, 1910: Louis Jeffries, a Baker Iron Works employee, is crushed by a steel girder during construction of the Alexandra Hotel Annex. Workers carrying his body to an ambulance on Spring Street are assaulted by union supporters who are picketing the building. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, September 2026

Posted on September 1, 2026 by lmharnisch

The Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case for September 2026, focusing on the backstory of Killer in the Code. Continue reading →

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September 1, 1947: 1,000 World War II Veterans Now in LAPD Uniforms

Posted on September 1, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 1, 1947: More than 1,000 new LAPD officers are World War II veterans. “We’re going to have a young and strong Police Department,” Assistant Chief Joe Reed says. Continue reading →

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August 31, 1947: Herbert Kline Shoots ‘Palestine’s First Feature Film Drama’

Posted on August 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 31, 1947: A little more than a year ago Herbert Kline and Meyer Levin decided Palestine would be headline news for some time to come and would furnish excellent material for an exciting film. Their film was released as “Beit Avi” (“My Father’s House.”) Continue reading →

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August 31, 1907: The Year in Liquor — 20 Gallons of Beer for Every Man, Woman and Child in U.S.

Posted on August 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 31, 1907: Distillers produced 20 gallons of beer and 1.4 gallons of whiskey for every man, woman and child in America, the U.S. says. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious piano player. Continue reading →

Posted in 1946, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

August 30, 1953: Barbara Graham Defense Wins Delay After Prosecution Bombshell

Posted on August 30, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 30, 1953: Judge Charles Fricke grants a delay to attorneys for Barbara Graham after the prosecution discloses a recorded conversation between Graham and an undercover police officer. Continue reading →

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August 30, 1907: Rabbi Leads Campaign to Open Hebrew University in L.A.

Posted on August 30, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 30, 1907: Rabbi Alfred Arndt of Congregation Beth Israel leads an effort to open what The Times describes as “the only Hebrew university within the entire United States.” Continue reading →

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August 29, 1907: Engine Co. 20 Pranks Newlywed Firefighter

Posted on August 29, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 29, 1907: Lt. Samuel Dodd is something of a practical joker around the firehouse, so when he left on his honeymoon with his bride, Juanita, his fellow firefighters decided to get even. Continue reading →

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August 28, 1958: Intruder kills former actress

Posted on August 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1958: Helene Jerome, described as a retired actress, is found strangled in her apartment at the Las Palmas Hotel. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Dodgers, Film, Forest Lawn, Front Pages, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off on August 28, 1958: Intruder kills former actress

August 28, 1947: Diamond Street Gang Member Takes Murder Rap ‘for the Gang’

Posted on August 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1947: Earl Bush, 19, member of the Diamond Street gang, says he’s taking a killing rap for the gang. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, August 28, 1932

Posted on August 28, 2026 by lmharnisch

Walter Collins in an undated prison photo. August 28, 1932: Christine Collins replies to the warden, saying that she is not yet ready to visit the grave of her husband, Walter, in the prison cemetery. She also says she is … Continue reading →

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August 27,1958: Woman kills husband over singing, Reds win against Dodgers

Posted on August 27, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1958: Anne Benyon was arguing with her husband, Ben, about his singing, and as he hummed a tune, she rolled her wheelchair into the kitchen, got a knife and stabbed him. Continue reading →

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August 27, 1947: I. Magnin Seeks Young Woman to Supervise Glove Department

Posted on August 27, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1947: Spot the mistakes: I. Magnin is seeking a young woman to manage the glove department. Continue reading →

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August 27, 1907: Undertaker Sent Home as Minister Survives Suicide Attempt

Posted on August 27, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1907: An undertaker makes two trips to pick up a retired Episcopal minister — but he wasn’t dead. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 26, 1944

Posted on August 26, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 26, 1944: William Bendix repays a loan from his father-in-law by setting up a hardware store for him, Louella Parsons says. Virgo: Put today in your happy medium column. Continue reading →

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August 26, 1907: Save Those Redwoods

Posted on August 26, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 26, 1907: A large rally calls for saving the 800-acre Armstrong Grove of redwoods. In 2025, it is a State Natural Reserve. Continue reading →

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August 25, 1948: Stars Pick Their Biggest Movie Turkeys; Lizabeth Scott Calls ‘Dead Reckoning’ Her Worst Film

Posted on August 25, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 25, 1948: Stars pick their worst pictures. Lizabeth Scott says it’s ‘Dead Reckoning.’ Alan Ladd says it’s ‘Blue Dahlia.’ John Wayne says ‘Allegheny Uprising.’ Donna Reed walked out of ‘Mokey.’ Continue reading →

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Reminder: My Next Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia Case Is September 1

Posted on August 25, 2026 by lmharnisch

Reminder, Boxie and I will be doing an Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. Pacific time at https://www.youtube.com/@lmharnisch/streams Continue reading →

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