Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Shriners Gather in L.A.

Posted on September 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

The 1907 Shriners convention in Los Angeles created a boom market in all sorts of memorabilia: plates, cups and other glassware, plus pins, postcards and lots of trinkets, which were sold and traded, all of which show up regularly on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Shriners Gather in L.A.

One Magazine From 1957 and 1958

Posted on September 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

What the vendor says are complete runs of the 1957 and 1958 issues of One magazine have been listed on EBay at $69.99 each. Individual issues often sell for $10-$20 or more, so this is actually a deal – if … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, 1958, Books and Authors, Found on EBay, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

March 4, 1907: L.A. Streetcars — Another Look

Posted on September 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 4, 1907: Los Angeles’ sainted streetcar system has a bad day. Beacon and 6th streets, minus the streetcars, via Google Street View. One of the most deeply held and ardently expressed beliefs about Los Angeles’ past is the shadowy … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Navy Doctors Defuse ‘Human Bomb’

Posted on September 19, 2013 by lmharnisch

Sept. 19, 1943: In a story delayed for wartime, the Associated Press reports that Allen L. Gordon, 23, of Rock Island, Ill., fire control operator third class, was struck Dec. 2 with a 20-millimeter antiaircraft shell that lodged in his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, African Americans, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Hollywood, Labor, Medicine, Music, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Great White Fleet Visits San Pedro, 1908

Posted on September 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

This postcard of the Great White Fleet entering San Pedro Harbor during its around the world cruise in 1908 has been listed on EBay. I wrote quite a bit about the Great White Fleet’s visit to Los Angeles when the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1908, Found on EBay, Harbor, Photography | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Great White Fleet Visits San Pedro, 1908

Bandit Killed, LAPD Officers Wounded in Burlesque Theater Shootout

Posted on September 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

Sept. 18, 1933: Jack Keating, 30, and John Melvin Early, 35, had a plan to rob the Girlesque Theater at 510 S. Main St., but when the shooting was over, Keating was dead and Early and two men who helped … Continue reading →

Posted in 1933, Art & Artists, Comics, Downtown, Hollywood, LAPD, Main Street, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Bandit Killed, LAPD Officers Wounded in Burlesque Theater Shootout

Angels Flight — Another View

Posted on September 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

This postcard complements the Rediscovering Los Angeles post on Angels Flight. It’s postmarked 1904 and photo was taken from Spring Street looking toward the 3rd Street tunnel.  Bidding starts at $5.

Posted in 1914, Architecture, Broadway, Downtown, Found on EBay, Spring Street, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rediscovering Los Angeles — And Timothy Turner

Posted on September 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

I have had a copy of this drawing over my desk for years as a reminder that I really ought to write a series of posts on the subject. This is the first in a series of columns featuring Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Architecture, Art & Artists, Columnists, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Jerry Lewis – The Day the Clown Played Baseball

Posted on September 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

I was fairly certain that I had written about this uniform – or at least a uniform – for Jerry Lewis’ baseball team, the Clowns, but I can’t seem to locate the post anywhere. In any event, a uniform for … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Sports | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

Posted on September 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

And here’s Monday’s mystery photo!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 43 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Rah! Rah! Hollywood Celebrates Pennants

Posted on September 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

Hollywood has always been creative in promoting its films and personalities to the public. Employing posters, lobby cards, window cards and photographs, silent film production companies hyped upcoming films. With the success of these forms of advertisements and publicity, companies … Continue reading →

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

Woman’s Body Found Behind Wall in Highland Park Home

Posted on September 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

Joseph and Anna Lewis, 2630 Johnston St., Highland Park, had been married for 42 when she disappeared. Not that Joseph, 72, a carpenter, was particularly concerned about her absence. Police were not informed of the disappearance until her daughter Shirley … Continue reading →

Posted in 1963, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Becomes N.Y.

Posted on September 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

I snapped this photo yesterday of the Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway dressed as the Montclair. Notice the New York taxicab. You’re a long way from home, pal. Hey, it’s Blythe Danner!

Posted in 2013, Broadway, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, New York | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on L.A. Becomes N.Y.

Sex Talk in Pasadena Canceled Due to Lack of Interest

Posted on September 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

Sept. 12, 1953: Angry San Fernando Valley residents picket Lockheed’s plant in Van Nuys after a jet trainer crashed, killing Phyllis O’Kray, 16504 Chase St., Sepulveda. Lockheed executive Courtland S. Gross expressed regret over O’Kray’s death and noted that the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, Aviation, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cafe Bristol Revisited

Posted on September 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

If you’ll recall from yesterday’s post on the Cafe Bristol, the main entrances were two marble staircases off 4th Street. The door on 4th Street was locked, alas, but I was able to get these shots of the two staircases. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1904, Downtown, Food and Drink, Spring Street | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Coming Attractions: Downtown Art Show

Posted on September 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

Alex Schaefer, above, and Jose De Juan have an opening of their show “L.A.ndscapes” on Thursday at the District Gallery, 740E. 3rd. There’s a reception Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show continues through Oct. 20. More information … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Art & Artists, Downtown | Tagged , | Comments Off on Coming Attractions: Downtown Art Show

Escaped Soldier Denies Attacking Former Screen Star

Posted on September 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

Sept. 11, 1943: The Times features the Los Angeles Times-Army Ordnance in Action Show being held at Exposition Park. The Times promised that “visitors will see the massive 32-ton Gen. Sherman tanks whose tough armor and deadly firepower blasted the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Music, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cafe Bristol – Downtown Los Angeles

Posted on September 10, 2013 by lmharnisch

I came across another program from the Mason Opera House listed on EBay, this one from 1909. Here’s an ad for the Cafe Bristol, which was in the basement of the Hellman Building at 4th and Spring. It’s listed as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1904, 1909, Downtown, Food and Drink, Found on EBay, Spring Street, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Joaquin Murrieta’s Head on Display in San Francisco

Posted on September 10, 2013 by lmharnisch

What exists of the Sept. 3, 1853, issue of the Los Angeles Star, in the collection at the Huntington, is online at USC (although it can only be viewed after it is downloaded due to some malfunction in the interface) … Continue reading →

Posted in 1853, African Americans, Animals, Crime and Courts, Homicide, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + +)

Posted on September 9, 2013 by lmharnisch

And for Monday, a mystery woman.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments