Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

An 1890s Thanksgiving in the Kitchen

Posted on November 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s a traditional roast turkey recipe from the “Every-Day Cook-Book and Family Compendium,” written about 1890 by Miss E. Neill. Be sure your fire is bright and clear and watch out for the gall-bag.

Posted in 1890, Food and Drink, From the Stacks | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

On the Frontiers of Science – The Virgin Rabbit

Posted on November 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Nov. 23, 1941: Dr. Herbert Shapiro of the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia has discovered that if you place a bag of ice cubs on the side of a rabbit for 90 minutes, the rabbit may become pregnant. “The ice … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Animals, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Medicine | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

From the Stacks – ‘Death Valley the Facts’

Posted on November 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Is it wrong to buy a book on the basis of one map? I suppose it is, but I couldn’t resist. I found this copy of W.A. Chalfant’s “Death Valley the Facts” the other evening at the Last Bookstore and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930, Art & Artists, From the Stacks, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , | Comments Off on From the Stacks – ‘Death Valley the Facts’

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on November 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s today’s mystery chap, courtesy of Steven Bibb!

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

Times on Spinelli Execution: ‘Good Riddance’

Posted on November 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

 Nov. 22, 1941: Here is Times reporter Tom Cameron’s description of the execution of Juanita “the Duchess” Spinelli: Eight cyanide “eggs” under the chair dropped into a bucket of sulfuric acid and distilled water. Nothing happened. The Duchess, her back … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Crime and Courts, Homicide | Tagged , | Comments Off on Times on Spinelli Execution: ‘Good Riddance’

Found on EBay – San Quentin

Posted on November 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

In keeping with the theme of the 1941 execution of Juanita “the Duchess” Spinelli, here’s a souvenir brick from San Quentin that has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $49.95.

Posted in 1852, 1980, Crime and Courts, Found on EBay | Tagged , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – San Quentin

Duchess Spinelli, Doomed to Gas Chamber: ‘No Christian Will Kill!’

Posted on November 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

Nov. 21, 1941: Juanita “The Duchess” Spinelli arrives at San Quentin to be executed in the gas chamber – the first woman legally executed in California’s history. “No one who is a Christian will kill!” the 52-year-old mother of three … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Religion | Tagged , | Comments Off on Duchess Spinelli, Doomed to Gas Chamber: ‘No Christian Will Kill!’

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on November 21, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: A model of a 1959 Cadillac hearse, listed on EBay for $599.99. Queen of the Dead—dateline November 21, 2011 •  “The Baroness Huntingtower died on the 8 th inst.,” said Lady Prudence Fairfax. “Not Katherine Grant of Rothiemurchus, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Eve Golden, Fashion, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Found on EBay – Florentine Gardens

Posted on November 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

This photo of the “Greatest Generation” at play at the Florentine Gardens, c. 1944, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $15.99.

Posted in 1944, Found on EBay, Nightclubs, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Florentine Gardens

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on November 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s another mystery chap, courtesy of Steven Bibb. [Update: This is Robert Beatty. Please congratulate Don Danard and Rotter for identifying him. Here’s his obituary in the Los Angeles Times | New York Times ]

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

California Prepares to Execute Juanita ‘The Duchess’ Spinelli, Nov. 20, 1941

Posted on November 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

Nov. 20, 1941: California prepares to execute Juanita “The Duchess” Spinelli at San Quentin. Spinelli, her boyfriend Mike Simeone, Gordon Hawkins and Albert Ives were convicted of drugging and drowning Robert Sherrard to keep him from informing on them about … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Found on EBay – Tattooed Woman

Posted on November 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

A reprint of a c. 1907 photo of a tattooed woman from the Plaza Gallery in Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. The photo is listed as Buy It Now for $8.99. On the jump, the tattooing craze, from … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Hollywood Model Dies of Botched Abortion, Nov. 19, 1941

Posted on November 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

This post has be edited. See note at bottom for explanation. Nov. 19, 1941: Angelka Rose Gogich was 18 when she died at Glendale Emergency Hospital after undergoing an abortion. She had be working as a model, hat check girl … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Abortion, Art & Artists, Black Dahlia, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Medicine, Obituaries | Tagged | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on November 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

A lot of 10 commemorative covers from the 1940s mailed to Bullock’s Wilshire has been listed on EBay. I’m not sure whether Bullock’s had a coin and stamp department or if this is from some other activity. Bidding starts at … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Art & Artists, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on November 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s today’s mystery photo, courtesy of Steven Bibb!

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | Tagged | 7 Comments

Private Detective Held in ‘Love’ Killing, Nov. 18, 1941

Posted on November 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Nov. 18, 1941: Jimmie Fidler says that new Alan (Paramount white hope) Ladd and Sally Wadsworth romance won’t please his studio, which is readying a “wolf” buildup.

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged | Comments Off on Private Detective Held in ‘Love’ Killing, Nov. 18, 1941

Found on EBay – Chocolate Shop

Posted on November 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

217 W. 6th St. via Google Street View. A wooden box from the Chocolate Shop has been listed on EBay. The shops were located at 211 W. 5th St., 217 W. 6th St., 731 S. Broadway and 20 E. Colorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Batchelder Tile, Downtown, Food and Drink, Found on EBay | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Ford’s Theatre Bans O’Reilly’s ‘Lincoln’ Book Over Mistakes

Posted on November 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

Manson family member Charles “Tex” Watson was denied parole. L.A. Times | AP via Washington Post Stephan Benzkofer of the Chicago Tribune takes a look at Police Officer Francis O’Neill in Part 2 of his Legendary Lawmen series. Edith Brady-Lunny … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Chicago, Crime and Courts, History, Homicide, Washington, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on Ford’s Theatre Bans O’Reilly’s ‘Lincoln’ Book Over Mistakes

Women Reporters

Posted on November 17, 2011 by lmharnisch

Nov. 17, 1941: Reporter Mary Shaw Leader is honored posthumously for her work in covering Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Leader, a reporter for the Hanover Spectator, walked 15 miles to Gettysburg, Pa., to cover the Lincoln’s talk. “She carried his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1863, 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Immigration, Obituaries, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on Women Reporters

Found on EBay – The Florentine Gardens

Posted on November 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

This image, dated May 17, 1945, from the Florentine Gardens has been listed on EBay. The war in Europe had just ended on May 8 and perhaps these folks are doing a little celebrating – and wondering what peacetime would … Continue reading →

Posted in 1945, Found on EBay, Nightclubs, Photography | Tagged , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – The Florentine Gardens