Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Paul Coates – Confidential File, June 16, 1960

Posted on June 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 16, 1960: Paul Coates examines the situation of “Swedish maids,” teenage European girls who come to Hollywood with the expectation of doing a little dusting in exchange for pay, lodging and their nights free to rub shoulders with … Continue reading →

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

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 16, 1941

Posted on June 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1941: “WARNERS' 'DIVE BOMBER' SET AT A GLANCE: Two uniformed extras, faces streaked with engine oil, practicing a tap-dance routine between shots,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 16, 1941

Dodgers Seek Permit for Stadium

Posted on June 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1960: One of the final paperwork hurdles was filed before construction could start on the Dodgers' new ballpark in Chavez Ravine. An application for a conditional use permit was necessary, The Times reported, because the land was zoned … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown | 1 Comment

Single Mother Attempts Suicide

Posted on June 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 16, 1910: I was struck by the contrast between the photo of women graduating from Occidental and the pitiful story of a single mother with two little children who was down to her last $7 [$159.17 USD 2009] … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Suicide | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock, June 15, 1960

Posted on June 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 15, 1960:  Matt Weinstock has the story of the choir member who was a baseball fan. DEAR ABBY: I took your advice and asked a girl to the prom. She turned me down. I asked another girl and … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 15, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 15, 1960

Posted on June 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 15, 1960: Paul Coates writes about a fad called the “hairloom,” which comes in the Bobby Darin, Sal Mineo and Fabian models. The Tommy Sands model is a little problematic, however. 

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 15, 1940

Posted on June 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 15, 1940: “Arthur Murray confides that Katharine Hepburn, who scorned Hollywood nite-spotting, has enrolled in his New York danschool for a de luxe ballroom course,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Lakers Arrive in L.A.!

Posted on June 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 15, 1960: The Lakers are here! And this is the welcoming committee? Unlike the reception given the Dodgers when they moved west to Los Angeles, the Lakers quietly moved into town in 1960. I loved the silliness of … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Lakers | 1 Comment

Wife Spanks Husband for Being a Drunk

Posted on June 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 15, 1910: Linen suits at Hale’s, $4.95 [$112.56 USD 2009]. On the jump, The Times has another court story in dialect, this time about Olaf Swanson and his drinking problems.

Posted in #courts, Fashion, Food and Drink, LAPD | 3 Comments

Matt Weinstock, June 14, 1960

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 14, 1960: Howard Lucraft's "Los Angeles Suite" will premiere at the Hollywood Bowl, Matt Weinstock says. CONFIDENTIAL TO CONFUSED CONNIE: You would not have so many problems if you learned to NO the fellows better, Abby says.

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Paul Coates – Confidential File, June 14, 1960

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 14, 1960: Paul Coates takes a look at the possibility of a national lottery, which he supports. 

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates – Confidential File, June 14, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 14, 1940

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

   June 14, 1940: “Most of the local niteries have found it necessary to place radios in private rooms for guests who want late-hour war reports,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Mad Scientists’ Garage Sale

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Wholly Moses!” with Dudley Moore and Laraine Newman, directed by Gary Weis, who did a series of quirky shorts for “Saturday Night Live.”   June 14, 1980: The Times features two movie memorabilia events, with appearances by Nina Bara from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Mad Scientists’ Garage Sale

He’s Netted a Few Baseballs in His Day

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 14, 1960: Herman Kent caught Dodger fever. The former Brooklyn resident and Ebbets Field customer moved to Los Angeles in 1946 and when the Dodgers came west, he installed himself as one of the first characters in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown | Comments Off on He’s Netted a Few Baseballs in His Day

From the Vaults: ‘Why Change Your Wife?’ (1920)

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

For Mary and all the other silent-film aficionados out there, we return triumphantly to 1920 this week! Cecil B. DeMille's tremendously entertaining "Why Change Your Wife?" is one of a slew of romantic comedies he made around this time, following … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 9 Comments

Burglar Hangs Himself in Jail Cell

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  What if it rained eyeglasses? June 14, 1910: Martin T. Smith is found hanging from the door of his cell after being arrested in Santa Monica for burglary. Smith, who had been drinking heavily, leaves no family, The Times … Continue reading →

Posted in health, Suicide | Comments Off on Burglar Hangs Himself in Jail Cell

Mini Mystery Photo

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Update: This is artist Hugo Ballin and Marlene Dietrich in a photo stamped May 25, 1936, apparently during filming of “Garden of Allah.” I’m at a loss to explain her expression.  Here’s our weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 14 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo  Update: This is Madge Bellamy as “The Spirit of Christmas” in a photo marked Dec. 30, 1923. Curiously enough, I saw her introduce a showing of “The Iron Horse” at the Autry museum years … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 67 Comments

Found on EBay – 417 E. 41st St.

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

A postcard mailed in 1907 showing the house at 417 E. 41st St. has been listed on EBay. According to Google maps, the house is gone but most of the neighborhood remains. Bidding starts at $4.

Posted in Architecture | Comments Off on Found on EBay – 417 E. 41st St.

Matt Weinstock, June 13, 1960

Posted on June 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 13, 1960: Matt Weinstock writes about a sign that says “25 Cents to Eat Your Own Sandwich.” And Abby tackles the question of whether any sound is made by a  plane that crashes in the desert with no … Continue reading →

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