Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Garbo Turns 75, Sept. 14, 1980

Posted on September 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 14, 1980, Alexander Walker, the author of "Garbo: A Portrait," on the actress' 75th birthday.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 12, 1940

Posted on September 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 12, 1940: Can it be that Johnny Weissmuller is going conservative? His yacht and Duesenberg racer are up for sale, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Luncheon to Celebrate Centennial of LAPD’s First Policewoman

Posted on September 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 14, 1910: The Herald reports Alice Stebbins Wells’ appointment as the first policewoman in Los Angeles. The Herald treated her with far more dignity than The Times, which found her to be somewhat amusing. Wells will be honored … Continue reading →

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From the Vaults: ‘Portrait in Black’ (1960)

Posted on September 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

"Portrait in Black" has just about everything you need for a campy good time: Sandra Dee! Lana Turner in an increasingly elaborate selection of diamond earrings! A very tan Anthony Quinn! Former silent film actress Anna May Wong as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 6 Comments

Coming Attractions — Archives Bazaar, Oct. 23

Posted on September 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Two women and a car near Eagle Rock, left, from the California Historical Society collection; Los Angeles County citrus exhibit in Toronto, 1927, from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce collection. The fifth annual Archives Bazaar will be held … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Coming Attractions, Photography | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on September 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

           Los Angeles Times file photo  May 11, 1930: Caricature of Will Rogers by Jean Negulesco.   Update: Our mystery guest is film director and artist Jean Negulesco. The above photo was released in 1949 to publicize his nomination for … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 28 Comments

Mt. Bassett Revisited

Posted on September 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

As a footnote to my previous post, I thought it would be valuable to list some of the people Jim Bassett interviewed for his ill-fated book on the Los Angeles Times. I’m not sure this is complete, but it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in books | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 10, 1940

Posted on September 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 10, 1940: Allan Jones, with a 273-pound marlin swordfish to his credit, looks like a real threat to Southern California's $10,000 fishing derby, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 9, 1941

Posted on September 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 9, 1941: DISAPPOINTING: Republic's "Puddin' Head" (Judy Canova). The hillbilly comedienne would be more appealing in smaller doses, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Pages of History – Harrison Gray Otis and His Fight for the Open Shop

Posted on September 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Most of the articles I have found dealing with Gen. Harrison Gray Otis were written after the 1910 bombing. Here’s a 1908 article that is shockingly positive given the current view of the old boy. Otis is a polarizing figure. … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 8, 1941

Posted on September 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Tom Treanor covers a speech by a Salvation Army official explaining a daycare center for the children of working mothers. Sept. 8, 1941: “KING’S ROW” SET AT A GLANCE: Bob Cummings washing his hair thrice daily in a concoction … Continue reading →

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Kodachrome – 1922

Posted on September 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Kodak company has posted this clip of an early Kodachrome test. I can only imagine what the ASA was on the film. I would guess it was fairly slow and took lots of light.

Posted in Film, Photography | 8 Comments

Climbing Mt. Bassett

Posted on September 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 27, 1978: James Bassett dies. am climbing Mount Bassett. It’s as if I’m halfway up and have come across the abandoned camp of an expedition that vanished many years ago while trying to conquer some snowy, fog-shrouded peak. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, books | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 7, 1940

Posted on September 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times, on three people he met in Rome. Sept. 7, 1940: Boss, you could find fodder for sizzling comment in the announced plan of studio czars to pry … Continue reading →

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Pages of History – The Walrus of Moron-Land

Posted on September 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  came across this article from the February 1928 issue of “The American Mercury” while researching the 1910 bombing of The Times. It’s a bit difficult to determine from ProQuest precisely when Louis Sherwin [Hugo Louis Sherwin Golitz] worked for … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay –- Oviatt’s

Posted on September 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  This Army cap from Oviatt’s, which was once the leading menswear shop in Los Angeles,  has been listed on EBay. The vendor notes that it has some moth damage. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay –- Oviatt’s

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 6, 1940

Posted on September 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times, drops in on Cinecitta and chats with Verga Bergmann (Vera Bergman). Sept. 6, 1940: Bells to Barbara Stanwyck, for ordering her press agent to "say nothing" of … Continue reading →

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Dodgers Have a New Prospect, but Where to Put Him?

Posted on September 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 6, 1960: With the Dodgers out of the pennant race, team officials wondered what to do with one of their top prospects. Willie Davis, the MVP of the Pacific Coast League, was heading to Los Angeles. It was just … Continue reading →

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The Dodgers’ Crystal Ball

Posted on September 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

Hey, Keith, look: Vin “Vince” Scully! … Mayor Poulson? I'm afraid not. Sept. 6, 1960: The Times' Al Wolf tried to predict the future and write about the opener of the Dodgers' new park in 1962. The headline "Chavez Ravine—Year … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 5, 1940

Posted on September 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times, on the lack of safety precautions in Rome. Sept. 5, 1940: Errol Flynn, dashing hero of many a thrilling screen story, believes that his reputation and professional career … Continue reading →

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