Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movieland Mystery Photo — Updated

Posted on December 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   [Update: This is “High Sierra,” as recognized by hockeykevin and RJ. The published caption, dated Jan. 2, 1941, is not terribly helpful: "High Sierra," wherein this encampment setting is revealed, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 7 Comments

Restaurants and Their Critics

Posted on December 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

        Dec. 29, 1980: A few days after the incident involving Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila at Red Medicine, I came across this piece by the late David Shaw on the relationship between restaurants and restaurant … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Food and Drink | Comments Off on Restaurants and Their Critics

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 28, 1940

Posted on December 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

        Dec. 28, 1940: Stellar Routine –  She goes to the Brown Derby for "luncheon," then sits and uses the telephone for hours, depriving hungry people of a booth … She changes the color of her hair … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Updated

Posted on December 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   Here’s our mystery film scene. Hm. I wonder where they are shooting…. [Update: I often describe Daily Mirror readers as “the brain trust” and it’s true. Please congratulate Mike Hawks for … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Photography | 4 Comments

Amazing Predictions for 1961!

Posted on December 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

         hile the rest of the news business spends the final days of December looking back at the major events of the year, the Daily Mirror is peering forward, and for us at least, the future is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930, 1960, 1980, Another Good Story Ruined, Countdown to Watts, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates, Thelma Todd, Tom Treanor, Weblogs | 6 Comments

Lina Romay on the Daily Mirror

Posted on December 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times photo You may recall that Lina Romay was a mystery guest in October 2009. Here’s a reprise of her post. Romay died Dec. 17 at the age of 91. Sept. 25, 1945: Lina Romay photographed by Harmon … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Photography | Comments Off on Lina Romay on the Daily Mirror

L.A. Crime Rises in 1967

Posted on December 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 7, 1968: Joel Rubin and Robert Faturechi are reporting that homicides in Los Angeles have fallen to the lowest level since 1967. Interestingly enough, at that time the LAPD reported homicides were up 27.5%. over 1966. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Courts, LAPD | Comments Off on L.A. Crime Rises in 1967

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 27, 1940

Posted on December 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

          Dec. 27, 1940: P.G. Wodehouse is being held by the Nazis – stay tuned for more about him in 1941,when he goes on German radio. Earl Carroll planning a Jimmy Durante "Nose Night" with any … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 27, 1940

Movieland Mystery Photo [Update]

Posted on December 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   Isn’t this a great picture? More details on the jump.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 9 Comments

World Record at L.A. Aviation Meet!

Posted on December 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo       Dec. 27, 1910: The year ends as it began, with an aviation meet. Despite  50-mph winds that swept Dominguez Field, Arch Hoxsey of Pasadena sets a new altitude record … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Transportation | 2 Comments

Teena Marie, 1956 — 2010: ‘I wish I was colorless’

Posted on December 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Teena Marie: “I’m a different kind of person. Blacks and whites don’t really react in any special way to me. I don’t get anything negative from blacks and not really anything negative from whites now. But I will say it was different before I started getting some popularity. I don’t think it was prejudice from whites as much as ignorance of something they didn’t know much about. You know, I wish I was colorless sometimes.”
Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | 4 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 26, 1940

Posted on December 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

        Dec. 26, 1940: No merrier Christmas in all Los Angeles than the one in moppet Betty Brewer's manse. Her screen success made it possible for them to buy their first turkey in years, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 26, 1940

Movieland Mystery Photo — Updated

Posted on December 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   I came across a big file on film crews and I thought they would make entertaining mystery photos. Rather than a mystery guest of the week, I’ll post one a day … Continue reading →

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

Monks’ Dispute Delays Celebration of Jesus’ Birth

Posted on December 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

            Dec. 26, 1960: An argument between Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox monks at the Grotto of the Manger delays a religious procession to celebrate the birth of Jesus. "The point at issue appeared trivial … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Religion | Comments Off on Monks’ Dispute Delays Celebration of Jesus’ Birth

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 25, 1940

Posted on December 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

        Dec. 25, 1940: “Merry Christmas! And may 1941 bring peace on earth and good will among men,” Jimmie Fidler says.  ALSO James “Sunrise Jim” Warnack in the Daily Mirror

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 25, 1940

Christmas and the Comics, 1960

Posted on December 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

                   

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Religion | 1 Comment

The Mirror, Dec. 24, 1960

Posted on December 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

            Dec. 24, 1960: Our friends at the Los Angeles Mirror are celebrating Christmas – not realizing that in a little more than a year the paper — and the Los Angeles Examiner — will … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Front Pages, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 24, 1940

Posted on December 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

           Dec. 24, 1940: Mr. Claus, I'd like to wager: I'll bet you can't fill Carole Landis' stockings with anything prettier than she's already filled 'em with herself, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo — Updated

Posted on December 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo   Here’s our mystery guest. Last week’s mystery guest was Thelma Todd, followed by Ford Sterling and friends. There’s a new photo on the jump!

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

Iran Hostages Spend 2nd Christmas in Captivity

Posted on December 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

            Dec. 24, 1980: The nation’s Christmas tree is lit for 417 seconds, one for each day the 52 hostages have been held in captivity in Iran…. San Fernando Police Officer Dennis Webb is shot … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Front Pages, Ronald Reagan | 1 Comment