Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on May 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update 2: This is Bramwell Fletcher (d. 1988), whom most people recognize from “The Mummy.”  This publicity photo is stamped Oct. 7, 1930.] [Update: Please congratulate Anne Papineau, Pamela Porter, Lee … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 30 Comments

Jim Murray, May 16, 1961

Posted on May 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

        May 16, 1961: A batter who has only to tell a real curve from a slider has an easy job compared to the general manager who has to straighten out the curve balls thrown at him … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, 1961, Baseball, Columnists, Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray, May 16, 1961

From the Vaults — ‘I Bambini Ci Guardano’ (‘The Children Are Watching Us’) 1944

Posted on May 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Nina (Isa Pola), Prico (Luciano De Ambrosis) and Andrea (Emilio Cigoli) in “The Children Are Watching Us.” If we met Nina and Andrea with their young son, Prico,  at the beach, we might assume that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 15, 1941

Posted on May 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

           May 15, 1941: Harry Bedford-Jones, “one of America’s most prolific writers” (and no, I’ve never heard of him either,) is filling in for Lee Shippey, who is recovering from surgery. Nobody lives in Texas anymore. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 15, 1941

MTA Plans Rapid Transit Route From Century City to El Monte!!

Posted on May 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

            May 15, 1961: The Metropolitan Transit Authority announces plans for a rapid transit system from Century City to El Monte!  The proposed line, including 12 miles of subway, would extend from the downtown area … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, art and artists, Comics, Freeways, Transportation | 1 Comment

Jim Murray, May 15, 1961

Posted on May 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

            May 15, 1961: Norman G. Dyhrenfurth, an old friend and a perfect dynamo of human energy, is a man who not only thinks Mt. Everest is a place to be but a place for … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, 1961, boxing, Columnists, Comics, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray, May 15, 1961

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 14, 1941

Posted on May 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

           May 14, 1941: Harold Lamb fills in for Lee Shippey, who is recovering from surgery. Tom Treanor files a report from Caripe, Venezuela, where he manages to find a cold beer kept in a refrigerator … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 14, 1941

Jim Murray, May 14, 1961

Posted on May 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

            May 14, 1961: Rinold George Duren, is the victim — or the beneficiary, if you want to look at it that way — of the most monumental case of nearsightedness in the annals of … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, 1961, Baseball, broadcasting, Columnists, Dodgers, Sports | 1 Comment

Gary Cooper Dies of Cancer at 60

Posted on May 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

           May 14, 1961: Gary Cooper dies of cancer at his home, 200 Baroda Drive, Holmby Hills. He was 60. “Cooper, Hollywood's homespun hero, was another product of its big star era — the same era … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Hitler Aide Rudolf Hess Flees to Scotland!

Posted on May 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

             May 13, 1941: Rudolf Hess, the Nazis’ No. 2 deputy, bails out  of his Messerschmitt over Scotland. He will commit suicide in Spandau prison in 1987. Ralph Bellamy fills in for Lee Shippey, who … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Hitler Aide Rudolf Hess Flees to Scotland!

From the Stacks: ‘The Los Angeles Book’

Posted on May 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

  It has been years since I looked through “The Los Angeles Book” and even longer since I read it. Then several weeks ago, I bought a copy so I could point out a particular photo of Chavez Ravine to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950, books, Columnists, From the Stacks, Zombie Reading List | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Frank Sinatra

Posted on May 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

A 33 rpm album of the audio from an uncompleted animated feature of “Finian’s Rainbow,” featuring Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, has been listed on EBay. According to The Times’ clips, this project was begun by Maurice Binder … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood, Music | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Frank Sinatra

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 12, 1941

Posted on May 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

        May 12, 1941: Producers have a new name for their movie: “Bahama Passage.” The working title may have provoked some unwanted reaction.    Garner Curran fills in for Lee Shippey, who is recovering from surgery, and writes … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey, Ronald Reagan, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 12, 1941

Jim Murray, May 12, 1961

Posted on May 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

        May 12, 1961: Paul Pender is not really a prizefighter at all. He has retired from the game more times than Jackie Jensen. He is a fireman by trade and he still reaches out instinctively to … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, 1961, art and artists, boxing, Columnists, Comics, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray, May 12, 1961

Lugosi to Appear as Weird Scientist

Posted on May 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Feb. 17, 1953: This is how I got here. I started researching the Lionel Atwill sex scandal of 1941 and discovered that before his career was derailed, Atwill planned to produce a film of the novel … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, 1953, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Libel Suit in L.A. Mayor’s Race!

Posted on May 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

        May 12, 1961: Mayor Norris Poulson accused challenger Sam Yorty of being “backed by the underworld” and Yorty responded with a libel suit.   The basis of Poulson's charge was that as an Assemblyman, Yorty supported a … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1961, art and artists, City Hall, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Politics | Comments Off on Libel Suit in L.A. Mayor’s Race!

Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

Posted on May 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

This unusual – and maybe a bit odd – suitcase from Oviatt & Alexander has been listed on EBay. It’s an alligator suitcase with what appear to be little pouches for jewelry on the lid.  Although Oviatt’s has been gone … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 11, 1941

Posted on May 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

               May 11, 1941: We decided to poll a vote to decide which of the "funny men" are really funny. Bob Hope won the majority vote for originality. Milton Berle was classed as the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Lee Shippey | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 11, 1941

Jim Murray, May 11, 1961

Posted on May 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

            May 11, 1961: The horse player is the hardest guy I know to please in the whole world of sports. He is grumpy, cynical, suspicious. He never smiles. No matter what happens he is … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, 1961, art and artists, Countdown to Watts, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray, May 11, 1961

Found on EBay – 1912 Rose Parade

Posted on May 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

      This magic lantern slide of a woman riding an elephant in the 1912 Rose Parade has been listed on EBay. Nothing says turn-of-the-century Southern California like palm trees in the frontyard of a home. Notice the streetcar … Continue reading →

Posted in Found on EBay, Photography | Comments Off on Found on EBay – 1912 Rose Parade