Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Matt Weinstock, June 9, 1960

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 9, 1960: Matt Weinstock has an entertaining item about the late Boris Pasternak and the publication of a certain poem. CONFIDENTIAL TO BERGIE: True confession may be good for the soul — but it's usually bad for the heel. … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 9, 1960

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 9, 1960: Paul Coates has an item on people who campaign against pornography, called “smut” in 1960, and on the bravery of some teenagers who rescued a girl from a shark.

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 9, 1941

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 9, 1941: The North American Aviation strike in Los Angeles (many stories mistakenly say the plant was in Inglewood) comes at a pivotal time for the city. A few days earlier, Police Chief Arthur C. Hohmann. generally considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Joan Kennedy: Living ‘A Day at a Time’

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Coming soon, “Urban Cowboy.” Fire up the mechanical bull! June 9, 1980: The late Bella Stumbo (d. 2002) profiles Joan Kennedy as her husband, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), seeks the Democratic presidential nomination.   Notice that the headline carefully … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Joan Kennedy: Living ‘A Day at a Time’

On the Frontiers of Education

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 9, 1910: Officials dedicate Pasadena Hall, the first building constructed at Throop Polytechnic Institute.  “The new Throop is designed to become one of the great engineering schools of the United States,” The Times says. The hall, which was … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Fashion, Science | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Education

Matt Weinstock, June 8, 1960

Posted on June 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 8, 1960 –  Matt Weinstock says, “As the streetcar passed Evergreen cemetery, proofreader Frank Martinez heard a little boy exclaim, ‘Look at all the pretty flowers, mommy! I wish I could get you some like that!’ She replied, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 8, 1960

Posted on June 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 10, 1960: Paul Coates writes updates on several continuing stories. Tijuana appears to be improving after years of preying on tourists … Harold Moore, whose son, Leonard, was killed in a holdup by drug addicts, is looking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 8, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 8, 1940

Posted on June 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 8, 1940: “No wonder Patricia Morison can't lose weight despite doctors' prescribed diets. She eats what they order at meals, then sneaks two and three hunks of chocolate cake when they're not looking,” Jimmie Fidler's staff says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 8, 1940

The Parkey Sharkey Story

Posted on June 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Parkey Sharkey, the terror of Palo Alto, with his taxi, about 1961. Readers frequently assume that Parkey Sharkey was a fictional character invented by Paul Coates to fill his Saturday letters column. I recently found a copy of Sharkey’s … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Paul Coates, Photography | 3 Comments

Death of a Mad Dog

Posted on June 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The dealer says this Arts and Crafts furniture will last for a century, June 8, 1910: A Wyoming rancher tracks down and kills a wolf nicknamed “One Toe,” a notorious killer of cattle that was too wary for traps … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, art and artists, LAPD | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, June 7, 1960

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 7, 1960: Matt Weinstock says people should stop hoarding their newly designed Lincoln pennies. The “oF” on the back isn’t an error. It’s intentional. A writer asks Abby, “Can a man LOVE his wife and BE IN LOVE … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 7, 1960

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 7, 1960: Paul Coates has the story of a baby girl who was left in Ray Gahring's Cadillac, which was parked behind his real estate office at 7131 Balboa Blvd. The little girl would be 50 now. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoptions, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 7, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 7, 1940

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The Times publishes another war map by Charles Owens. June 7, 1940: “Hollywood After Dark: Dorothy Lamour calmly changing stockings at her table in the Del Mar dining room while strong men wilted,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Introducing the Sabra!

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 7, 1960: A car made in Israel? Are you serious? The dealer says the fiberglass-bodied car with a 36-horsepower Ford engine will do 65 mph. Over a cliff, maybe. ps. According to the Wikipedia entry (I know, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Introducing the Sabra!

From the Vaults: ‘First Spaceship on Venus’ (1960)

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

Well, "First Spaceship on Venus" is quite the odd little movie: a vintage space epic filmed in East Germany and co-produced with Poland. It features an international team of characters and a strong anti-nuclear message! Released in German as "Der … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood, Science, UFOs | 2 Comments

LAPD Sets Up Speed Trap on Grand Avenue

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 7, 1910: The 20% grade of Grand Avenue is a popular place for car salesmen to show customers the speed of their vehicles. In fact, Grand is such a perfect test track that the Police Department has set … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Alligator Farm

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

Although the ostrich farms get more attention, Los Angeles also had alligator farms, shown above in an image from USC’s digital archive. The postcard at left showing alligators at play has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $5.95.

Posted in Animals, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Alligator Farm

Matt Weinstock, June 6, 1960

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

   The miracle auto of tomorrow! No driver! No traffic! No accidents! June 6, 1960: A fellow named Don gets a phone call from a woman selling cemetery plots and asks some tough questions.  DEAR WAITRESS: There are no 'disgraceful' … Continue reading →

Posted in Cemeteries, Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 6, 1960

Jim Murray: John Wooden Is the Best Coach in the History of College Basketball

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  USC stalls UCLA, 46-44, the Bruins’ first defeat at Pauley Pavilion. March 9, 1969: Sports columnist Jim Murray calls John Wooden “the best basketball coach in the history of the collegiate game — or maybe the game, period. He … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jim Murray, Sports | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 6, 1960

Posted on June 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 6, 1960: Paul Coates has a follow-up on the story of a doctor  confined to a mental ward who saved another patient’s life.

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