Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on February 27, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: A Hot Wheels model of a customized 1963 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay at $6.50. Queen of the Dead – dateline February 27, 2012 •  Do you collect Instant Disaster books? I do. I have same-year accounts of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Eve Golden, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Music, Queen of the Dead, San Francisco, Television | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

An EBay Mystery – Earl Carroll’s Inner Circle

Posted on February 26, 2012 by lmharnisch

One of the more intriguing mysteries I’ve come across in years of delving through EBay surfaced the other day, but the auction ended before I could write about it (so many stories, only one Larry Harnisch). The item was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Nightclubs | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

UCLA Provost Calls for a Return to Basics in Education

Posted on February 25, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 25, 1942: UCLA Provost Earle Hedrick (d. 1943) describes the prevailing disdain for the “three Rs” as “the Pearl Harbor” of American education. Charging that American education is ruled by an elite clique, Hedrick says: “I propose that we … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Education, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 4

Posted on February 24, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Yesterday, in Part 3, I was exploring the history of Hollywood … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transportation | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Random Shot: N.Y. = L.A.

Posted on February 23, 2012 by lmharnisch

Look what I found last night outside the Last Book Store at 5th and Spring.

Posted in Books and Authors, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Photography | Tagged , | 2 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 3

Posted on February 23, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. You want to know about all the hot gossip in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 2

Posted on February 22, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Pages XI to X of “Full Service” set the scene on … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Libraries | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Times Editorial Praises Japanese Evacuation

Posted on February 21, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 21, 1942: The Times editorial page praises the Japanese evacuation while scolding the government for its slow response. I think this is my favorite quote: … it is important to remember in case any situations of the kind arise … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Front Pages, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on Times Editorial Praises Japanese Evacuation

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 1

Posted on February 21, 2012 by lmharnisch

“Full Service,” by Scotty Bowers with Lionel Friedberg. One of the guiding principles at the Los Angeles Daily Mirror is that history is not the exclusive domain of straight, white, Protestant males. As long as I have been blogging about … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Libraries | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on February 20, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: 1947 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay at $1.950. Queen of the Dead — dateline February 20, 2012 I am no longer eating candy (ten pounds to go!), but when I did, I was rather fond of Lemonheads. I learned … Continue reading →

Posted in Eve Golden, Fashion, Film, Music, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, Television | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Japanese Evacuation: Images of Executive Order 9066

Posted on February 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

Scott Harrison, my colleague on The Times photo desk, has posted a gallery of images from the evacuation of Japanese Americans in 1942. He plans to add to these photos, so check back for more.

Posted in 1942, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated ++]

Posted on February 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

And this movie would be?

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 49 Comments

GIs Want More Form in Women’s Uniforms — Olive Drab Too Drab!

Posted on February 18, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 18, 1942: Pvt. Fred A. Ranker of the 3rd Coast Artillery begins a campaign against what he considers women’s unflattering uniforms. On his first pass since Pearl Harbor, Ranker dashed to Hollywood Boulevard. “Instead of the usual beauty parade, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Fashion, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Random Shot: Goodbye Whitney Houston

Posted on February 18, 2012 by lmharnisch

The Los Angeles Theatre was lit up with a tribute to Whitney Houston when I went to dinner last night, so I took a picture. Twilight was beautiful in downtown Los Angeles, which was bathed in those minutes of “magic … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Photography, Theaters | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Movieland Architectural Mystery — Solved

Posted on February 17, 2012 by lmharnisch

The Brain Trust has solved the mystery of the department store used in “The Public Enemy.” Thanks to Craig Deco, Lee Rivas and Nathan Marask! Here are our young ruffians (Frank Coghlan Jr. and Frankie Darro) sliding down the escalator … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Interior Design, Location Sleuth | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Bowling for Victory! Keglers vs. the Axis!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 16, 1942: America’s 16 million bowlers are being asked to help promote physical fitness and mental alertness for the nation’s fighting men in their war against the Axis, and to provide relaxation for defense workers!  No effort will be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Sports, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on Bowling for Victory! Keglers vs. the Axis!

Movieland Mystery Photo – Architecture Edition

Posted on February 15, 2012 by lmharnisch

The more intriguing mystery of “The Public Enemy” is the department store used in the early part of the film. Recall that our young ruffians run through an unidentified department store, committing all sorts of mischief and aggravated mopery. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Lawmakers Urge Roosevelt to Order Immediate Evacuation of All Japanese

Posted on February 14, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 14, 1942:  West Coast legislators abandon plans to register “enemy aliens,” a process that would allow them to remain in defense zones. Instead, the congressmen ask President Roosevelt to order the “immediate evacuation” of “all persons of Japanese lineage.” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Lawmakers Urge Roosevelt to Order Immediate Evacuation of All Japanese

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on February 13, 2012 by lmharnisch

And for Monday, we have another photo from the amazing collection of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged | 14 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on February 13, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: A coffin snuff box listed on EBay at $2,200. Queen of the Dead – dateline February 13, 2012 •  It is dangerous to call someone “the last living” whatever, as you will invariably be proved wrong. So I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, World War I | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead