Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

How to Wear a Hat – ‘The Grapes of Wrath’

Posted on December 28, 2011 by lmharnisch

As Tom Joad, just paroled from prison, Henry Fonda wears a newsboy cap all through “The Grapes of Wrath,” with costume design by Gwen Wakeling. Let’s take a look. ALSO How to Wear a Hat — Newsboy Cap Edition How … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940, Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Tires Put Under War Rationing; Youths Beat Japanese Student

Posted on December 27, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 27, 1941: Tom Treanor says that some Japanese Americans are upset that Chinese Americans are wearing badges to indicate they aren’t Japanese. Mrs. E.J. Horton writes about a “Japanese schoolboy who got mobbed” and Mrs. Dill Nance “says she … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood, Stage, Theaters, World War II | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 26, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: 1206 N. Kingsley Drive via Google’s Street View. I was watching a certain film the other day and what should flash by but a California driver’s license. Google would reveal the answer, so the character’s name has been snipped. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Location Sleuth | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 26, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: 1996 Cadillac hearse listed on EBay, with bids starting at $4,900. Queen of the Dead – dateline December 26, 2011 •  Kitchener is dead! No, not the World War I field marshal with the fabulously lush moustache, who died … Continue reading →

Posted in Eve Golden, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, World War II | 2 Comments

Merry Christmas From 1911

Posted on December 25, 2011 by lmharnisch
Posted in 1911, Theaters | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Japanese Sub Torpedoes 2 Ships off California Coast

Posted on December 25, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 25, 1941: Crew members of the Absaroka, which was hauling lumber, recount being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine at an undisclosed location off the California coast. One man was crushed by piles of lumber after rescuing a shipmate who … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Music, Nightclubs, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Japanese Sub Torpedoes 2 Ships off California Coast

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

[Update: This is Chick Chandler in “Steel Town.” Please congratulate Don Danard, RJ, Dewey Webb, Mike Hawks and Rick for identifying him.] Here’s a mystery guest who knows how to wear a hat. And the jacket’s not bad, either. From … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Japanese Sub Sinks Tanker Near Morro Bay

Posted on December 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 24, 1941: Japanese submarines attack two U.S. tankers, with explosions that are heard  as far inland as in San Luis Obispo, sinking a 7,272-ton Union Oil ship. Capt. Olaf Eckstrom of Inglewood says a torpedo struck the ship directly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Religion, Theaters, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on December 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

This black taffeta dress by David Brown for Bullock’s Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $14.99.

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on December 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dick Powell admires his books, back in the days when all authors smoked pipes. I caught the 1952 film “The Bad and the Beautiful” the other night and was struck by this window display showing copies of “The Proud Land.”

Posted in 1952, 1953, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Carl and Jerry Get a Kindle Fire

Posted on December 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Gort: Tannenbaum baringa! Futurism in 1958. I bought a Kindle Fire a few days ago and since it arrived I’ve been thinking about John T. Frye W9EGV. Unless you are an electronics geek of a certain age, it’s likely you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1958, 1963, Books and Authors, Radio, Television | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Carl and Jerry Get a Kindle Fire

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

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

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

Navy Releases Accounts of Pearl Harbor

Posted on December 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1941: The Navy releases three personal accounts of the Pearl Harbor attack. Many acts of heroism are described, and these few lines shed more light on the presence of African Americans (recall that the armed services were segregated … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, African Americans, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Navy Releases Accounts of Pearl Harbor

‘Citizen Kane’ Movie of the Year

Posted on December 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 21, 1941: Philip K. Scheuer writes: “Citizen Kane”  is, for this column, picture of 1941. It would be that if only because it jolted Hollywood once again into realizing the possibilities of the screen as a storytelling medium in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Mysterious Mauser

Posted on December 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

We’re very curious at the Daily Mirror HQ these days about what sort of pistol Robert Downey Jr. is using in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” For example, in this picture he’s got a nice broomhandle Mauser. Notice that … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles City Hall is in the background. Where was this shot and what’s the movie?

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

December 19, 1941: Japanese Spy Ring Smashed, FBI Says

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

December 19, 1941: The suicide of Dr. Rikita Honda, who slashed his wrists while in custody at Terminal Island, revealed that he was the director of a vast spy ring, the FBI says.  Honda was head of the Imperial Comradeship … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Suicide, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on December 19, 1941: Japanese Spy Ring Smashed, FBI Says

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on December 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Image of a horse-drawn hearse, part of a group of five pictures listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $300. Queen of the Dead – dateline December 19, 2011 •  Word has come in of the long-expected but still sad … Continue reading →

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

L.A. Christmas Card, 1911

Posted on December 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Olive and 5th via Google’s Street View. Notice the vacant lot where Philharmonic Auditorium used to be. Demolition is forever. This truly awesome 1911 Christmas card, showing Philharmonic Auditorium and part of what is now Pershing Square, has been listed … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, Architecture, Downtown, Preservation, Theaters | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Academy Awards Banquet Canceled; Oscars Postponed Due to War

Posted on December 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 18, 1941: Louis A. Tyler reports to the Navy recruiting office after receiving a telegram informing him of the death of his son, Fireman 3rd Class George L. Tyler,  at Pearl Harbor. “My purpose is to take my son’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Academy Awards Banquet Canceled; Oscars Postponed Due to War