Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on December 5, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s Thursday’s mystery woman, courtesy of Christopher McPherson.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

PROHIBITION ENDS!

Posted on December 5, 2013 by lmharnisch

The Times marks the end of Prohibition with a front page cartoon by Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale, who  quit in 1934 and went to the Examiner in a dispute over The Times’ editorial policies. Dec. 5, 1933: With the passage … Continue reading →

Posted in 1933, Art & Artists, Comics, Downtown, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 4, 2013 by lmharnisch

Today’s holiday gift suggestion is the latest biography from Eve Golden, “John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars.” The Daily Mirror likes to support its local independent bookstore whenever possible. But if you’re not close to a good … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Before You Watch ‘Mob City’ — Bugsy Siegel, Mickey Cohen and Chief Parker

Posted on December 4, 2013 by lmharnisch

Before you watch TNT’s “Mob City” tonight, read these items from The Times about what Police Capt. William H. Parker was actually doing in the 1940s. Parker served in the Army during World War II and was discharged in November … Continue reading →

Posted in 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, Hollywood, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on December 4, 2013 by lmharnisch

And here is Wednesday’s mystery chap, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

LAPD: Parker Center Cop Shop Files

Posted on December 4, 2013 by lmharnisch

I was given a box of material that was cleaned out of the old press room at the LAPD’s Parker Center headquarters, sometimes called “the cop shop.” The box was a jumble of press releases, photographs, artists’ sketches and other … Continue reading →

Posted in 1965, 1973, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Parker Center Cop Shop Files | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

Whenever I’m asked about my favorite books on Los Angeles, my first recommendation is “Nuestro Pueblo,” a selection of features by Times artist Charles Owens and writer Joseph Seewerker that appeared in The Times. I went through all of them … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated)

Posted on December 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

And for Tuesday, we have a mystery lady, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson. Yes, Eve, it’s Lilyan Tashman. Honest!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Rediscovering Los Angeles — Sam Kee Laundry

Posted on December 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

Jan. 20, 1936: For this installment of Rediscovering Los Angeles, Times artist Charles Owens and columnist Timothy Turner visit a Chinese laundry on Figueroa near Temple. Turner writes: It was a busy hive before John Chinaman cut off his pigtail, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1936, Architecture, Art & Artists, Columnists, Downtown, Film, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 2, 2013 by lmharnisch

If you enjoy Mary Mallory’s columns (and our survey shows that readers do) you might like this anthology of Hollywood Heights called “Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found.” It’s available for the Kindle, but don’t forget that Amazon has a free … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on December 2, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s Monday’s mystery chap, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson. The annoying black box is where our mystery fellow thoughtfully signed his photo. Update: Yes, this is William Bakewell (d. 1993), who appeared in “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Bonner Fruit Co. Cans San Fernando Valley’s Peaches

Posted on December 2, 2013 by lmharnisch

The San Fernando Valley has experienced a great evolution over the last several centuries from bucolic fields to economic powerhouse. Quiet and peaceful for years, it served as Southern California’s breadbasket for decades until Angelenos looked to its empty vistas … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Food and Drink, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Bonner Fruit Co. Cans San Fernando Valley’s Peaches

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 1, 2013 by lmharnisch

We are being bombarded by stories about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with videos of long lines at stores and the attendant consumer frenzy. The L.A. Daily Mirror prefers a more subdued approach to buying gifts during the holiday season. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, Art & Artists, Books and Authors | Tagged , , | Comments Off on L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Take the L.A. Daily Mirror Reader Survey — Responses Closed

Posted on November 30, 2013 by lmharnisch

Jack Webb and William Conrad phone in their answers to the L.A. Daily Mirror Reader Survey. Update 2: Today’s the last day to express your thoughts in the Daily Mirror Reader Survey. And stay tuned for the results. Update: More … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, History, Hollywood, LAPD, Mystery Photo, Theaters | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Take the L.A. Daily Mirror Reader Survey — Responses Closed

Ernst Lubitsch Dies!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I originally wrote for the 1947project in 2005. I’m reposting it for newer readers. CAIRO, Nov. 30. (AP) With Arab bitterness mounting in the Middle East, Syrian demonstrators set fire to the United States Legation … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ernst Lubitsch Dies!

Matzo Brawl!

Posted on November 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project and I’m reposting it for newer readers. Nov. 29, 1907 Oh Those Shriners: Recall, if you will, the grisly train wreck that killed a large number of Shriners … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD, Religion, Streetcars | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Millennial Moment: Locke High Student Hangs Herself

Posted on November 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

Nov. 29, 1983: Bridget Marie Hicks was a 17-year-old girl with two children and apparently too many problems. A worker at the South-Central Multi-Purpose Child Development Center found her hanging from a tree. Police said Bridget, a student at nearby … Continue reading →

Posted in 1983, Education, Hollywood, Millennial Moments, Suicide | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Lyndon Johnson’s 1955 Shopping Spree at Oviatt’s

Posted on November 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

I’m always looking for Oviatt items and here’s a jacket that has been listed on EBay, with bids starting at $149.99. And not just any jacket. This one was tailored for future President Lyndon Johnson. For the record: As Wayne … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

An 1890s Thanksgiving in the Kitchen

Posted on November 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s a traditional roast turkey recipe from the “Every-Day Cook-Book and Family Compendium,” written about 1890 by Miss E. Neill. Be sure your fire is bright and clear and watch out for the gall-bag.

Posted in 1890, Food and Drink, From the Stacks | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on An 1890s Thanksgiving in the Kitchen

L.A. Celebrates a Wartime Thanksgiving, 1943

Posted on November 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

A wartime Thanksgiving in Los Angeles, with many service personnel welcomed into people’s homes for a holiday meal. The Times published cooking tips for war workers, advising cooks who were otherwise engaged “for the duration” to use prepared mixes, packaged … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Food and Drink, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on L.A. Celebrates a Wartime Thanksgiving, 1943