Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Rediscovering Los Angeles – The Plaza

Posted on October 22, 2013 by lmharnisch

Dec. 9, 1935: For the sixth installment, Times artist Charles Owens and columnist Timothy G. Turner visit the old Plaza. Turner says: “Historically, it was never much, never a really Mexican plaza with parking and a kiosk for a municipal … Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Art & Artists, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo, Preservation | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Traffic, 1915 Edition

Posted on October 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

My Los Angeles Times colleague Scott Harrison does wonderful work going through The Times photo archives. Here’s his latest post on a “new”method of directing traffic in which police stopped using whistles. This is Officer F.M. Wilson at Broadway and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, Downtown, LAPD, Photography, Transportation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on L.A. Traffic, 1915 Edition

Movieland Mystery Photo — Amazing Recovery Edition (Updated + + +)

Posted on October 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

So far, I have prevailed over various technical issues. Wish me luck.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 79 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Richfield Building Jazzes Up Los Angeles’ Skyline

Posted on October 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

  The Richfield Building in an undated postcard. After years of deprivation, darkness and worry during World War I and its aftermath, America was ready to look toward a shining future of prosperity and sunshine in the 1920s. Overnight, fashion, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Architecture, Downtown, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – DVD Malfunction Edition (Updated)

Posted on October 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

Sorry, folks. No mystery movie this week. Everything should be back to normal next week. But wait! I think I’ve fixed it!

Posted in Mystery Photo | Tagged | 2 Comments

Downtown Los Angeles: Broadway

Posted on October 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

This postcard, marked 1909, showing Broadway, looking north just below 4th Street, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $8.95. And for comparison, here’s what it looks like on Google Street View. Let’s take a closer look.

Posted in Broadway, City Hall, Downtown, Found on EBay, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Errol Flynn Named in Paternity Suit

Posted on October 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

Oct. 18, 1943: Los Angeles is in the middle of a paternity suit brought by Shirley Evans Hassau, 21, against Errol Flynn. Hassau charged that Flynn was the father of her daughter Marilyn, who was 3. Hassau was seeking $1,750 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mystery Film Location

Posted on October 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

Look what I found! Anyone recognize this film location? Let’s get a closer look.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ — Part 6

Posted on October 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved Sept, 12, 1943, killing of actor David G.G. Bacon, who appeared in Republic’s “Masked Marvel” serial. In Part 1, witnesses described Bacon driving erratically on Washington Boulevard, then … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ — Part 5

Posted on October 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

David Bacon’s secret getaway, from the Sept. 18, 1943, Los Angeles Herald-Express, courtesy of Steven Bibb. In case you just tuned in, we are looking at the unsolved Sept, 12, 1943, killing of actor David G.G. Bacon, who appeared in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Through Witzel’s Lens: Jackie Saunders

Posted on October 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

A Witzel studio photo of what appears to be silent film actress Jackie Saunders has been listed on EBay. Witzel was one of the leading portrait studios in Los Angeles and took many publicity photos in the early days of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Photography, Witzel | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Through Witzel’s Lens: Jackie Saunders

Rediscovering Los Angeles — El Capricho de los Dorados

Posted on October 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

Dec. 2, 1935: In this installment of Rediscovering Los Angeles, Times artist Charles Owens and columnist Timothy Turner visit El Capricho de los Dorados, a tiny Mexican restaurant on Aliso “below Alameda Street.” Turner says: “These little places are generally … Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Architecture, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Downtown, Food and Drink, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Rediscovering Los Angeles — El Capricho de los Dorados

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition XIII (Updated + + +)

Posted on October 14, 2013 by lmharnisch

I know, I know. I just did newsboy caps. But I couldn’t resist. Look: It’s an actual newsboy wearing a newsboy cap. I’ll bet you can guess the studio just from this crowd scene. How to Wear a Hat — … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 41 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Film Truth Tells It Like It Is

Posted on October 14, 2013 by lmharnisch

Note: Due to a technical problem, this post was published without the final paragraphs. These have been added. The movie-going public has always craved learning fascinating tidbits about their favorite movies and motion picture stars. Any fact, however obscure or … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Times Building Bombed by Labor Radicals – 1910

Posted on October 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

A photograph showing the bombed-out ruins of the Los Angeles Times Building has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $5. By the way, I am tardy in writing about Lew Irwin’s book on The Times bombing. Lew is a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910, Broadway, Downtown, Found on EBay, Photography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

1947 World Inventors Exposition at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium

Posted on October 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

An EBay vendor has listed a program from the 1947 World Inventors Exposition. According to ads in The Times, this is where the Tucker automobile had its “premiere public showing.”   Bidding on the program starts at $19.95. I wrote a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Art & Artists, Aviation, Futurism, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 1947 World Inventors Exposition at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium

Jury Disinherits Two Pet Dogs

Posted on October 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

Note: Here’s a post I originally wrote for the 1947project back in 2005. Pat and Gunner, 6-year-old Irish setters who were left a $30,000 estate by their late master, Carleton R. Bainbridge, retired attorney, yesterday were disinherited by a jury … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Animals, Comics, Crime and Courts | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Jury Disinherits Two Pet Dogs

Coming Attractions – Honoring CBS Studio Center Oct. 19

Posted on October 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory and Marc Wanamaker will be speaking at this event on Oct. 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Studio City Library, 12511 Moorpark St., Studio City.

Posted in Coming Attractions, Film, Mary Mallory, San Fernando Valley, Television | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Coming Attractions – Honoring CBS Studio Center Oct. 19

L.A. Archives Bazaar – Coming Tomorrow

Posted on October 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

The annual Archives Bazaar snuck up on me this year. It’s tomorrow at USC! The annual bazaar will be held at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featured sessions include the Archives Roadshow, from 10 a.m … Continue reading →

Posted in Coming Attractions, History | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

December 1, 1908: ‘The Clansman’ Comes to Los Angeles –

Posted on October 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

A 1908 program from the Mason Opera House has been listed on EBay with an ad for an upcoming production of “The Clansman,” a play adapted from  Thomas  Dixon’s novels “The Leopard’s Spots” and “The Clansman” and turned into D.W. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1908, African Americans, Books and Authors, Broadway, Downtown, Film, Found on EBay, Stage | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments