Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

September 10, 1947: In Love but Unable to Marry First Cousin, 17, Man Shoots Himself

Posted on September 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1947: David Everett, a 30-year-old mechanic, is in critical condition at Torrance General Hospital after shooting himself in the head and neck in despondency over his frustrated love for his 17-year-old first cousin Janet. And yes, she lives in a trailer park. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 10, 1944

Posted on September 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1944: The influence of Andre de Toth, the director, has been very important in the life of Veronica Lake. She is no longer the girl who doesn’t care. She cares very much now what people think of her, Louella Parsons says. Continue reading →

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September 10, 1907: Horoscope — ‘A Very Uncertain Day’

Posted on September 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1907: Horoscope: A very uncertain day. No evil omens glare anywhere but in all aspects there lies a heavy veil, defying those who would peer into this day. Beware, therefore, of all and any unconsidered act. Continue reading →

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‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – September 16

Posted on September 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I will do an Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel next Tuesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. Pacific time on YouTube. Have questions? Leave them in the comments. Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: William J. Mann’s ‘Murders, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood’ — Not a Better Answer in the Dahlia Case, Just a Different One

Posted on September 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood, by William J. Mann, Simon & Schuster, 464 pages, January 27, 2026, $31.   Like a game of Clue with an actual cold case to solve, a well-worn list of suspects … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, books, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 8, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious man and woman. Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 46 Comments

September 7, 1959: Matt Weinstock–Visit to Ojai

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 7, 1959: Matt Weinstock is back from vacation and writes about his visit to Ojai. He also attended Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and saw Tab Hunter perform. Continue reading →

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September 7, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 7, 1959: Paul Coates writes about a young woman’s experiences in traffic court. Hint: she wore a tight, revealing dress that she made herself, and has flaming red hair. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

September 7, 1947: May Co. Offers Credit Plan With 1% Interest

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 7, 1947: The May Co. offers a charge account where you don’t have to pay off the full balance every month. Continue reading →

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September 7, 1947: The Comics Pages

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 7, 1947: A stroll through the comics pages. There’s Dick Tracy, Red Ryder, Aggie Mack and, of course Nancy and Sluggo. Continue reading →

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September 7, 1907: Typhoid, Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever and Tuberculosis

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 7,1907: No measles or smallpox cases for August, and diphtheria, scarlet fever and tuberculosis are down. Typhoid cases, however, are increasing. Continue reading →

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Labor Day in Los Angeles, September 7, 1886

Posted on September 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

September, 7, 1886: The Times publishes a roundup of events marking  Labor Day, but there are no reports of any celebrations in Los Angeles. On the jump, Labor Day, 1891, is celebrated on the West Coast, but there’s nothing about Los Angeles. Continue reading →

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September 6, 1953: Barbara Graham Sobs During Son’s Visit to Jail

Posted on September 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 6, 1953: Barbara Graham, on trial in the Mabel Monahan killing, sobs “almost hysterically” as she holds her 18-month-old son, Tommy, during a visit at the Hall of Justice, The Times says. He was in the custody of his grandmother Anne Webb. Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Film, Hill Street, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

September 6, 1947: Mexican Workers Essential as Americans Refuse Stoop Labor, Ranchers Testify

Posted on September 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 6, 1947: Ranchers tell Congress that they cannot survive without importing Mexican workers. Americans won’t do “stoop labor,” the ranchers say. Continue reading →

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LAPD Parker Center Cop Shop Files: Jane Doe, September 5, 1973

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1973: Sheriff Peter Pitchess is seeking help in identifying a Jane Doe, age 14-19, found in an open grave in Hacienda Heights. She was wearing these earrings.
Continue reading →

Posted in 1973, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Parker Center Cop Shop Files | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

September 5, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1959: Paul Coates writes about the unusual publicity campaign for the film “Private Property.” Continue reading →

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September 5, 1947: L.A. Turns 166, Becomes Third-Largest City in America

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1947: As Los Angeles celebrates its birthday, Mayor Fletcher Bowron says it’s now the third-largest city in the U.S., passing Detroit. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, September 5, 1944

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1944: “One Touch of Venus” has been sold to the movies, with Mary Pickford obtaining the rights. Continue reading →

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September 5, 1944: Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1944: Maria Fierro goes dancing with Robert Fierro and Robert Gomez. Her children weren’t allowed in the cafe, so she left them in the car. Her daughter, Stella, went to get a bottle of soda, but her son, Rudolfo, found a bottle of whiskey and drank enough to kill him.
Continue reading →

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September 5, 1943: Union Pleads With Streetcar Workers Not to Strike

Posted on September 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 5, 1943: The head of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen pleased with Pacific Electric workers not to strike. Eight to 10 streetcar workers are quitting every day to take better jobs. Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on September 5, 1943: Union Pleads With Streetcar Workers Not to Strike