Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo — [Updated]

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: Please congratulate Mary Mallory for identifying our mystery woman! This is Dorothy Phillips in 1925, apparently working on “Every Man’s Wife.”  Keep reading for more.] Here’s today’s mystery photo…. more … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 12 Comments

Dashiell Hammett Dies, Jan. 11, 1961

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 11, 1961: Dashiell Hammett dies at the age of 67. A Times editorial the next days wonders about a “slight odor of Communist mentality” in “The Maltese Falcon.” No, really! Also from The Times’ editorial … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Times Columnist Harry Carr Dies

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

           Jan. 11, 1936: Harry Carr, longtime columnist of “The Lancer” and one of the best-known writers in the history of The Times, dies of a heart attack at the age of 58. Carr’s death brought … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, Columnists, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — ‘Mother Goose-Step’

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

I watch for books from Lymanhouse, the Los Angeles publisher of “They Call Them Camisoles,” a graphic first-person account of being hospitalized at Camarillo. Lymanhouse also published “What Actors Eat — When They Eat.” Another Lymanhouse book, “Mother Goose-Step,” by … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books | Comments Off on Found on EBay — ‘Mother Goose-Step’

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 10, 1961

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 10, 1961: Matt Weinstock has an item on “Jenkinson’s law,” a two-word explanation for all human behavior. DEAR MISS VAN BUREN: You recently joined an anonymous correspondent in reproving a minister for portraying a drunken, profane character … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 10, 1961

Paul Coates, Jan. 10, 1961

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 10, 1961: Author Dashiell Hammett dies… Paul Coates didn’t get invited to the John F. Kennedy inaugural…. notice the Page 1 story on Frank Sinatra’s wardrobe for the Kennedy bash! 

Posted in books, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates, Jan. 10, 1961

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 10, 1941

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 10, 1941: HOLLYWOOD AFTER DARK: Aviation enthusiasts Bob Taylor and Jimmy Stewart sketching proposed air excursions on a Brown Derby tablecloth, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 10, 1941

Another Good Story Ruined – The Black Dahlia

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

It is deceptively difficult to write with any degree of accuracy about the Black Dahlia case. Here’s a recent example of a mangled account by Scott McCabe of the Washington Examiner: On this day, Jan. 9, 1947, Elizabeth Short, anaspiring … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on Another Good Story Ruined – The Black Dahlia

Yorty Runs for Mayor!

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

   Jan. 10, 1961: Incumbent Norris Poulson and  challenger Sam Yorty are about to get into a nasty campaign for mayor. Should I mention the $2-million slander suit? The Times editorial headlined “Either Poulson or Calamity?” (So much for the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Politics, Richard Nixon | 3 Comments

From the Vaults: ‘The Eyes of Laura Mars’ (1978)

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

Like all right-thinking people, I cherish "The Empire Strikes Back," and was saddened by the death of director Irvin Kershner. But I didn't realize until reading his one of his obits that he also directed the acclaimed thriller "Eyes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 3 Comments

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 9, 1961

Posted on January 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 9, 1961: Matt Weinstock has an item on the demise of the Pioneer Dairy Lunch, 332 S. Spring St., where coffee is a nickel, and homeless men can eat for a few pennies a meal and … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 9, 1961

Paul Coates, Jan. 9, 1961

Posted on January 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 9, 1961: Paul Coates has the story of Harry,  a bachelor who gets a mysterious call and…. Well, Coates can tell you the rest.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 9, 1941

Posted on January 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

           Jan. 9, 1941: Sailor Pedro V. Rodriguez met Eva J. Sandstrum at a San Pedro cafe and after being invited to her home, had several drinks. However Rodriguez got tired of her repeated questions about … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Second Update]

Posted on January 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: Here’s a little more information. The photo was published June 21, 1936, in The Times rotogravure section, which wasn’t microfilmed, so I can’t refer to the original. The occasion was … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 19 Comments

Hollywood Pays Tribute to an Ailing Gary Cooper

Posted on January 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 9, 1961: A testimonial by the Friars Club was one of the many tributes Gary Cooper received in the months before his death. His deteriorating condition from cancer was not widely known until April, when he … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on Hollywood Pays Tribute to an Ailing Gary Cooper

Jimmie Fidler in Europe, Jan. 8, 1941

Posted on January 8, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 8, 1941: Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, the “perfect lovers,” had an out-loud row just before sailing for Europe — and almost went in opposite directions, Jimmie Fidler says.  Keeping reading for more on the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Europe, Jan. 8, 1941

Hollywood at War

Posted on January 8, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Studio executive Walter Wanger (d. 1968) describes how World War II is affecting the motion picture industry in this Nov. 15, 1942, article. He notes that movie audiences are increasing, and suggests that because of gas … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 7, 1941

Posted on January 7, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 7, 1941: Jimmie Fidler has an intriguing item about "poison pen notes" being planted in the pockets of workmen on "North West Mounted Police" and "The Great Dictator," which were found by the men’s wives … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 7, 1941

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 7, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: As many people realized, this is from “There’s That Woman Again.” I expected most people to recognize Melvyn Douglas, but some of the responses were quite detailed. Please congratulate Mary … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 19 Comments

Paul Coates, Jan. 6, 1961

Posted on January 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 6, 1961: Paul Coates dips into the mailbag and has an item on a jazz band and choir that perform “ ‘Peter Gunn’-type music” at church services.

Posted in #Jazz, Columnists, Paul Coates, Religion | Comments Off on Paul Coates, Jan. 6, 1961