Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 6, 1961

Posted on January 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 6, 1961: What’s this? Newspaper circulation is up 52% over the last 25 years? “Newspaper circulation grows because the service rendered to readers is not available from any other source and not likely ever to … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 6, 1961

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 6, 1941

Posted on January 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 6, 1941: Times artist Charles H. Owens gives his interpretation of the crash of a Navy DC-2 into White Mountain, 25 miles southeast of San Diego.   “In 30 years of incessant searching for new screen … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 6, 1941

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: Our mystery woman has been identified as Miss Dupont. Congratulations to Mike Hawks! To see the information on the back of the photo, keep reading.]   This truly is a mystery … Continue reading →

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

The Loud Family, Seven Years After TV Series

Posted on January 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 6, 1980: Years before there was MTV’s “The Real World” (or MTV, for that matter), there was Craig Gilbert’s “An American Family,” the story of the Loud family of Santa Barbara, which aired on PBS … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Television | Comments Off on The Loud Family, Seven Years After TV Series

Huntington Beach Jane Doe, 1968

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

    My Google alert for “Black Dahlia” sent me to Tori Richards’ piece on an unsolved 1968 homicide being reopened by the Huntington Beach Police Department. Taking the case to the Internet has already dispelled decades of speculation that … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 5, 1961

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 5, 1961: A RECENT ITEM HERE ABOUT the old Hollywoodland sign (now Hollywood) under Mt. Lee evoked childhood memories for Tom Breslin, now in the D.A.'s office, and Tim Keavy, now ranching near Blythe. Tom and Tim … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates, Jan. 5, 1961

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 5, 1961: Paul Coates notes that London’s Sunday Express published a series on "The Fabulous Kennedys" with this caption: "This picture was taken by the new president with a box camera on a visit to Ireland … Continue reading →

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Town Called Hollywood, Jan. 5, 1941

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

          Jan. 5, 1941: There’s no Jimmie Fidler column today, so here’s Philip K. Scheuer’s Town Called Hollywood. Marriage, it may be, is just what Bette Davis has been needing. An almost spinsterish quality crept into … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Tom Treanor | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: This is a still from a Deanna Durbin film with the working title of “Forever Yours” and released as “The Amazing Mrs. Holliday.” The original caption information is on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 5 Comments

The Black Dahlia — Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

he anniversary of Elizabeth Short’s killing is Jan. 15, so I thought I would try to anticipate the annual rehash of fiction and mistakes with a post commenting on potential sources on the 1947 case.  People often ask me which … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, books, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | 6 Comments

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 4, 1961

Posted on January 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 4, 1961: AN ACCOMPLISHED STREET SCAVENGER known as Slim is confident that 1961 is going to be a good year. In his rounds he always fingers public telephone coin return slots. Not long ago, he hit more … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates, Jan. 4, 1961

Posted on January 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 4, 1961: Three unidentified military personnel are killed in the explosion of a nuclear reactor 40 miles from Idaho Falls, Idaho. "There appeared to be no major radiation alarm here, although the Post-Register newspaper and local … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 4, 1941

Posted on January 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

           Jan. 4, 1941: George Brent is buying the tiny island of Mehetia, 75 miles off Tahiti, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in 1941, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 4, 1941

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on January 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: It was quite a pleasant surprise to be rummaging through a file of old pictures and stumble across one showing George Gershwin. Judging by the response, the “brain trust” (my … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 27 Comments

Man Poses as Woman Golfer

Posted on January 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 4, 1921: Well isn’t this an awkward moment on the golf course!  Miss Eleanor Fox, a tall and dashing brunette, drives a ball 200 yards and loses her tam – and her luxurious tresses – revealing … Continue reading →

Posted in 1921, Crime and Courts, Fashion, Sports | Comments Off on Man Poses as Woman Golfer

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 3, 1961

Posted on January 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 3, 1961: Matt Weinstock says that New Year’s drinking was far less than usual. And the Daily Mirror wonders: could “The Quietest Place in Town” have been the reason? CONFIDENTIAL TO SHIRLEY: Horse sense is what … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates, Jan. 3, 1961

Posted on January 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Jan. 3, 1961: The Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area surpasses Chicago as the second-largest urban area, although Chicago is still ranked the second city, census figures show.  … and Paul Coates writes about his “jail mail,” including … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1961, Columnists, Crime and Courts, From the Vaults, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates, Jan. 3, 1961

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Jan. 3, 1941

Posted on January 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

              Jan. 3, 1941: After the sneak, Frank Capra recalled the cast of "Meet John Doe" for retakes that will shorten the picture, Jimmie Fidler says.

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On the Frontiers of Fashion

Posted on January 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

        Jan. 3, 1936: Los Angeles County Superior Court judges begin wearing robes  at the suggestion of California Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Waste. Not all judges like wearing robes and some continue to appear on … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1936, Crime and Courts, Fashion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 2, 1961

Posted on January 2, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 2, 1961: Walt Hackett took his first stroll in months on Hollywood Boulevard and was awed by the gals' puff ball hairdos. His description: tumbleweeds with feet. Matt Weinstock says.  DEAR ABBY: Every year countless wives sit … Continue reading →

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