Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo [Update: This truly is a mystery photo. It was taken near Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards and the set of “Intolerance” is in the background but there’s no information on what is occurring in the photo, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 17 Comments

Black Politics in L.A., 1913

Posted on January 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Feb. 22, 1913: Councilman Robert M. Lusk died in office and the African Americans of Los Angeles called on the council to appoint one of several black contenders to complete his term. Charles C. Flint, a … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Countdown to Watts, Politics | Comments Off on Black Politics in L.A., 1913

In Remembrance, Elizabeth Short

Posted on January 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

The Daily Mirror is dark today.

Posted in #courts, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on In Remembrance, Elizabeth Short

Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Jan. 14, 1961

Posted on January 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 14, 1961: Matt Weinstock notes the activities marking the anniversary of the Treaty of Cahuenga, Jan. 13, 1847. Paul Coates talks to a man who has written a song in tribute to President John F. Kennedy, … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Front Pages, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Jan. 14, 1961

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 14, 1941

Posted on January 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

           Jan. 14, 1941: Open letter to Al Jolson. My Dear Al: If this letter angers you, forgive me. I realize that the $500 you sent me before Christmas to spread good cheer among the poor … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, art and artists, classical music, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 14, 1941

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: Yes, this is a movie premiere at the late Carthay Circle Theatre. Keep reading for more details!] Here’s another crowd scene, but this one is a premiere at a mystery … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 20 Comments

Black Politics in L.A.

Posted on January 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Charles H. Matthews, African American member of the Police Commission, at a 1946 meeting. I was intrigued by the remark on L.A. Observed, quoting the Root, “According to historian Raphael J. Sonenshein, ‘No African-American, Latino or Jewish person … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Crime and Courts, Education, LAPD | Comments Off on Black Politics in L.A.

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 13, 1961

Posted on January 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 13, 1961: Harpo Marx applies for unemployment and there are some difficulties…. CONFIDENTIAL TO "TALKS TURKEY": He who talks too much turkey must eat a lot of crow.

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 13, 1961

Paul Coates, Jan. 13, 1961

Posted on January 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 13, 1961: Paul Coates has a Hollywood mystery story and it’s a good one.

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates, Jan. 13, 1961

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 13, 1941

Posted on January 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 13, 1941: Author James Joyce dies at the age of 58 …. “Fantasia” is coming! The Dionne quints are finished actresses; 20th Century-Fox didn't renew their option, Jimmie Fidler says … also note the item … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 13, 1941

Movieland Mystery Photo — [Updated]

Posted on January 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: As everybody realized, this is from “Meet John Doe” … ] Here’s another old, beat-up print from our file of movie sets. Let’s take a closer look….

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 15 Comments

USC Fraternity Pledges Stealing Hotel Spittoons!

Posted on January 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 13, 1911: The population of Los Angeles is 319,198, The Times says. In our bustling city, USC fraternity pledges are caught stealing spittoons from hotels …  a post office official is accused of taking items … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Crime and Courts, Education, Fashion | Comments Off on USC Fraternity Pledges Stealing Hotel Spittoons!

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 12, 1961

Posted on January 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 12, 1961: TWO YOUNGSTERS from a junior high school in the San Fernando Valley, winners of a Community Chest contest, came downtown the other day and, with Suburbia editor John Cornell as guide, were taken on a … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | 1 Comment

Paul Coates, Jan. 12, 1961

Posted on January 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 12, 1961: Paul Coates faces readers who are angry over his treatment of Parkey Sharkey and Jack Oakie! And Coates hears from Parkey Sharkey himself.

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates, Jan. 12, 1961

Philip K. Scheuer, Town Called Hollywood, Jan. 12, 1941

Posted on January 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 12, 1941: Fantasound — by its own name or any other name — is here to stay, and Walt Disney is going right ahead with plans for it. I had a long talk with him … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo — [Updated]

Posted on January 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: As most people realized, this is “The Conqueror” on location in St. George, Utah. Original caption information on the jump….] Here we are on a mystery location shoot….

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 13 Comments

L.A. Serial Killer Suspect Kills Himself in Jail

Posted on January 12, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 12, 1981: Vernon Butts, a suspect with William Bonin in the Freeway Killer case, hangs himself with a towel in his cell at the Los Angeles County Jail. He was 23.  People are struggling to … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Food and Drink, Homicide | Comments Off on L.A. Serial Killer Suspect Kills Himself in Jail

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 11, 1961

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 11, 1961: Matt Weinstock has an item on a student’s problems with driver’s ed. CONFIDENTIAL TO JAMES: Go east, young man.

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 11, 1961

Paul Coates, Jan. 11, 1961

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 11, 1961: Paul Coates has the story of  Richard, a man who has been battling drug addiction for years.  He’s been out of jail for eight weeks. Still no job, but at least he is clean, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 11, 1941

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 11, 1941: When Orson Welles resigned as director of Connecticut's Stony Creek Theater, he was succeeded by one William Castle, a very young man with definite ideas of Art, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment