Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Coming Attractions: Los Angeles Archives Bazaar

The annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar will be held Oct. 27 at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library. The bazaar is an excellent way to become acquainted with the astounding number of libraries and historical societies across the city and their amazingly … Continue reading

Posted in 2012, Coming Attractions, History, Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Coming Attractions: Los Angeles Archives Bazaar

Eve Golden / Queen of the Dead: Ada Jones

Ada  Jones 1873 – 1922   You youngsters can have your Ladies Gaga and Pinks and Katy Perrys. Give me the great Ada Jones. Ada was the first—and for ten years, the only—female superstar of the early record industry.

Posted in Eve Golden, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Here’s today’s mystery photo! Who is the mystery woman and what is the mystery film?

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Little Brown Church in the Valley

Photo: Republic Studios President Herbert Yates marries Vera Hruba Ralston in 1952. Courtesy of Mary Mallory. Originally ranch land that helped support the city of Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley sometimes seemed slower and a tad more old fashioned … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Religion, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Found on EBay – 1880 History of Los Angeles County

A copy of the 1959 reprint of the 1880 “History of Los Angeles County” has been listed on EBay. The book was compiled over five months from newspapers, books, magazines public records and interviews, producing “three large grain sacks” filled … Continue reading

Posted in 1880, Books and Authors, Found on EBay, History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – 1880 History of Los Angeles County

Found on EBay – 1910 Aviation Meet

This postcard of the 1910 Aviation Meet – showing a photograph by C.C. Pierce — has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $19.99. Notice that even though airplanes received most of the attention, gas balloons also took part in … Continue reading

Posted in 1910, Aviation, Found on EBay, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Cats Eye Glasses Edition [Updated]

Here’s another photo from the amazing collection of Steven Bibb! Love those glasses!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Death Rolls the Dice in Friends’ Fatal Craps Game

Oct. 12, 1942: Walter Miller, a 31-year-old lumberyard foreman, and his friend Eddie “Red” Phillips, a 32-year-old mechanic, were shooting dice in the living room of Phillips’ home, 1442 E. 59th St., when they began arguing. Miller was stabbed during … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Comics, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Aboard the Shuttle Challenger, a Landmark in Women’s History

Oct. 11, 1984: Astronaut Kathryn Sullivan, aboard the shuttle Challenger, becomes the first American woman to take a space walk. Sullivan was involved in an experiment to show that it was possible to refuel satellites in space, even if the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Buster Keaton’s ‘The Italian Villa’

Buster Keaton seemed to have it all in the mid-1920s. His career was riding high, as the public loved his film comedies, making him one of America’s top film personalities. He had a beautiful wife, Natalie Talmadge, and two lovely … Continue reading

Posted in 1926, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Here’s another mystery photo from the collection of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 26 Comments

Eve Golden / Queen of the Dead: Jack Buchanan

 Jack Buchanan 1891 – 1956 Jack Buchanan was Fred Astaire before Fred Astaire was Fred Astaire. Jack was tall, handsome, a great “make it look easy” song and dance man, and, as his friend and frequent costar Bea Lillie noted, … Continue reading

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Movieland Mystery Photo – How to Wear a Hat Edition

Here’s another photo from the amazing collection of Steven Bibb!

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

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Erich von Stroheim’s ‘Paprika’

A copy of Erich von Stroheim’s “Paprika” inscribed to Hugo Ballin has been listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $1,250. Famed director/actor Erich von Stroheim faced financial disaster in the mid-1930s. After directing such visual powerhouses as “Foolish … Continue reading

Posted in 1935, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Here’s another mystery fellow – with a bow tie! Courtesy of Steven Bibb

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

Highway Patrol Day: 10-4!

Here’s a salute to one of my favorite childhood TV shows. Remember: “Leave your blood at the blood bank, not on the road. For ‘Highway Patrol,’ this is Broderick Crawford.”

Posted in Television | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

I thought it would be fun to have a little change of pace from Steve’s collection. Enjoy!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Here’s another mystery photo from the collection of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Here’s another mystery photo from the collection of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Victor Segno: Success Wave!

Prof. A. Victor Segno and a success wave (artist’s concept). My latest column for The Times deals with my favorite L.A. con man, Prof. A Victor Segno.

Posted in Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, History | Tagged , , | 5 Comments