Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

September 1, 1941: Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood

Posted on September 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 1, 1941: Tears over MGM’s cancellation of the Maisie series, Jimmie Fidler says. Donoho Hall, technical advisor on “Sergeant York,” says “the problem of the 5 million uneducated hillbillies in the South should be more America’s problem than any foreign missions.” Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on September 1, 1941: Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood

Movieland Mystery Photo – Silent Version (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

For our silent film version of the mystery movie, we have a mystery guest looking at Back of the Head Guy on the floor. Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo – Talkie Version (Updated + + + +)

Posted on September 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

This week we have a silent and a talking mystery movies. This mystery woman is from the talkie. Continue reading →

Posted in 1933, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

August 31, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 31, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 13, 1959: Paul Coates has the story of a man who submitted lyrics titled “Cold Campfire Ashes” to one of those songwriting ads you see in the pulp magazines. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

August 31, 1958: Woman kills husband as children sleep, Giants win over Dodgers

Posted on August 31, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 31, 1958: Lillian Kella admits stabbing her husband, Ed, to death after a swimming party. Both had been drinking heavily. Continue reading →

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August 31, 1947: Herbert Kline Shoots ‘Palestine’s First Feature Film Drama’

Posted on August 31, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 31, 1947: A little more than a year ago Herbert Kline and Meyer Levin decided Palestine would be headline news for some time to come and would furnish excellent material for an exciting film. Their film was released as “Beit Avi” (“My Father’s House.”) Continue reading →

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August 31, 1907: The Year in Liquor — 20 Gallons of Beer for Every Man, Woman and Child in U.S.

Posted on August 31, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 31, 1907: Distillers produced 20 gallons of beer and 1.4 gallons of whiskey for every man, woman and child in America, the U.S. says. Continue reading →

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August 30, 1953: Barbara Graham Defense Wins Delay After Prosecution Bombshell

Posted on August 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 30, 1953: Judge Charles Fricke grants a delay to attorneys for Barbara Graham after the prosecution discloses a recorded conversation between Graham and an undercover police officer. Continue reading →

Posted in 1953, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on August 30, 1953: Barbara Graham Defense Wins Delay After Prosecution Bombshell

August 30, 1907: Rabbi Leads Campaign to Open Hebrew University in L.A.

Posted on August 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 30, 1907: Rabbi Alfred Arndt of Congregation Beth Israel leads an effort to open what The Times describes as “the only Hebrew university within the entire United States.” Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Education, Religion, Streetcars | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on August 30, 1907: Rabbi Leads Campaign to Open Hebrew University in L.A.

August 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 29, 1959: Paul Coates hears from Elvis fans who want to forgive him for the scathing review Coates wrote of Elvis’ notorious performance at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Dear Abby has advice for a man whose wife doesn’t care for her dog. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on August 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

August 29, 1947: Headless Skeleton Found in Burlap Sack in Chantry Flats

Posted on August 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 29, 1947: A camper finds the headless skeleton of a woman in a burlap sack in Chantry Flats at the head of Santa Anita Canyon. Examination reveals that she had been embalmed, excluding the possibility of murder. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 29, 1944

Posted on August 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 29, 1944: Jack Warner bought the rights to “The Visitor” before it even opened on Broadway, Louella Parsons says. Virgo: Be optimistic in romance, home affairs. Continue reading →

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August 29, 1943: Parents Sue Doctor Who Said Baby Girl Was a Boy!

Posted on August 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 29, 1943: Dr. John M. Andrews is being sued for $500,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Hartwig after delivering a baby and telling the family that it was a boy, whom they named Richard Allen Hartwig — when it was actually a girl. Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Medicine, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

August 29, 1907: Engine Co. 20 Pranks Newlywed Firefighter

Posted on August 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 29, 1907: Lt. Samuel Dodd is something of a practical joker around the firehouse, so when he left on his honeymoon with his bride, Juanita, his fellow firefighters decided to get even. Continue reading →

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August 28, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1959: The success story of L.D. Tallent — a man born with less than half a body — isn’t quite believable, but it happened anyway, Paul Coates writes. Continue reading →

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August 28, 1958: Intruder kills former actress

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1958: Helene Jerome, described as a retired actress, is found strangled in her apartment at the Las Palmas Hotel. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Dodgers, Film, Forest Lawn, Front Pages, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

August 28, 1947: Diamond Street Gang Member Takes Murder Rap ‘for the Gang’

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1947: Earl Bush, 19, member of the Diamond Street gang says he’s taking a killing rap for the gang. Continue reading →

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August 28, 1947: Margaret Harris Debuts in Piano Recital at Age 3

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1947: Margaret Harris, making her debut as a pianist at age 3, is splashed across the cover of the Los Angeles Sentinel. Harris was the musical director for “Hair” and the first Black woman to conduct the L.A. Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many other major orchestras. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, August 28, 1944

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1944: Life magazine’s cover story is on the new fashion craze of pedal pushers. Preston Sturges is probably the most exciting movie director to emerge in the past decade, Life says. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 28, 1944

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1944: MGM pays $60,000 for Joseph Pennell’s novel “The History of Rome Hanks!” and D.W. Griffith screens “Birth of a Nation” and “Intolerance” for Preston Sturges, Louella Parsons says. Virgo: Enjoy wholesome pleasures in free time. Continue reading →

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