Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Posted on September 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Perhaps the most common examples of Batchelder tile to turn up on EBay are pieces from the Mayan series. Someone has listed what appears to be most, if not all, of an entire fireplace set. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Movieland Mystery Photo — Update

Posted on September 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

           Los Angeles Times file photo  July 10, 1954: Rites are conducted for Joel Watnick, who died after being struck by our mystery guest, actress Lynne Baggett, in a hit-and-run accident at Waring and Orlando avenues.  Waring and Orlando … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 31 Comments

Explosions Destroy Nonunion Plant

Posted on September 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 1910: At 10:30 p.m., a series of blasts destroyed the Lucas Bridge and Iron Co. plant, a nonunion firm in Peoria, Ill. "Three explosions reduced the building to kindling wood and four buildings adjacent to the property were … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing | Comments Off on Explosions Destroy Nonunion Plant

From the Vaults: ‘The Shop Around the Corner’ (1940)

Posted on September 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Why, it’s another movie by Ernst Lubitsch! And it could not be more different from the stately silent film we looked at last week. (My God, it’s almost like this was planned.) A classic comedy of manners, “The Shop Around … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 5 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 4, 1940

Posted on September 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 4, 1940: Comedy of the week: "Argentine Nights," in which the Ritz brothers and Andrews sisters prove laughs and music come in threes, Jimmie Fidler says.  Coming Sept. 6: The Ice Follies of 1941 at the Pan-Pacific!

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Paul Conrad, RIP

Posted on September 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 9, 1974, Paul Conrad on Richard Nixon's resignation. Also, Paul Conrad on the shooting of Robert F. Kennedy.

Posted in art and artists, RFK, Richard Nixon | 2 Comments

San Francisco Labor Leaders Accuse The Times of Libel

Posted on September 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 19, 1910: "Jailbird" … "pinhead" …  A typical Times editorial about labor. Sept. 4, 1910: San Francisco labor leaders file a libel suit against Times Editor and General Manager Gen. Harrison Gray Otis and Assistant Manager Harry Chandler. It’s … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 3, 1940

Posted on September 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 3, 1940: CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNIQUE TO Peter Lind Hayes: If you and Mary Healy are really in love, why postpone marriage to wait for more professional success? Happiness doesn't depend on income, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 3, 1940

The Well-Informed Public, 1911

Posted on September 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo 1911: James B. McNamara’s defense team leaves the courthouse. At left, Samuel Gompers, famous head of the American Federation of Labor, is eating a snack and holding a cigar. The fellow on the right is … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1910 L.A. Times bombing, Homicide | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 2, 1940

Posted on September 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 2, 1940: Hollywood Parade — Linda Darnell posing at Ciro's for fan magazine photos while half a dozen candid camera fans snap their fill, Jimmie Fidler says. Also in Jimmie’s column: Trixie Friganza (former Mystery Photo guest). 

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 2, 1940

September 2, 1910: Police Quell Labor Riot Over Body of Ironworker Killed at Alexandria Hotel

Posted on September 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  September 2, 1910, the Herald publishes its version of the incident. September 2, 1910: Louis Jeffries, a Baker Iron Works employee, is crushed by a steel girder during construction of the Alexandra Hotel Annex. Workers carrying his body to … Continue reading →

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Coming Soon — Los Angeles Plays Itself

Posted on September 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Los Angeles Plays Itself” will be shown will be shown Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave. at 14th Street in Santa Monica. Director Thom Andersen will be speaking about the film after Sunday's … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Coming Soon — Los Angeles Plays Itself

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 1, 1941

Posted on September 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1941: Baseball fans and writers are protesting Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig on the screen because Lou was left-handed and Gary isn't, Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Tom Treanor | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Sept. 1, 1941

Kennedy, Nixon, Agree on TV Debates

Posted on September 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 1, 1960: Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Vice President Richard Nixon agree to a series of televised debates. The latest census shows that 88% of American homes have TV sets, in contrast to the 12% found in … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, JFK, Richard Nixon, Television | Comments Off on Kennedy, Nixon, Agree on TV Debates

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Aug. 31, 1940

Posted on August 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 31, 1940: Paulette Goddard, who couldn't afford the loss, dropped seven pounds during her "Second Chorus" dances with Fred Astaire, Jimmie Fidler says.  And Hedda Hopper (I know you have been missing her!) says Orson Welles filmed every scene … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Photography | 1 Comment

Pages of History

Posted on August 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Isn’t this a great cover? I love the lettering. I’m going through the transcripts of jury selection in the McNamara trial, which is dull, tedious,  fascinating work. It’s difficult to convey the experience of having a 1911 typewritten manuscript – … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1910 L.A. Times bombing, books | Comments Off on Pages of History

Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

This Batchelder tile of a peacock at left has been listed on EBay. Interestingly enough, it’s a different design than these two at the right, which were listed earlier.  Bidding on the tile at left starts at $100.  As with … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Batchelder Tile

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Aug. 30, 1940

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Tom Treanor, who died covering World War II for The Times, files a report on Catanzaro, Italy.    Aug. 30, 1940: Hollywood After Dark: Ann Rutherford losing a set of artificial fingernails when an autografiend snatches at her hand as … Continue reading →

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Barry Goldwater, Aug. 30, 1960

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 30, 1960: Perhaps you saw David Klinghoffer’s recent piece about changes in the conservative movement (“From neocons to crazy-cons”) or Jonah Goldberg’s rebuttal. If so, you might like to read some of Barry Goldwater’s thoughts for yourself, from 1960. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Comics, Obituaries, Politics | Comments Off on Barry Goldwater, Aug. 30, 1960

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Photograph by George Lacks / Los Angeles Mirror  OK, here’s another picture of our mystery woman. And yes, the photo is from the Mirror files. Update: On the jump, the identity of our mystery … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Mystery Photo, Photography, Stage, Suicide | 6 Comments