Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

5 Killed in Test Flight of Strange, Giant Plane

  June 6, 1948: If this plane (a YB-49) looks familiar, it should. Among the five dead crewmen is Capt. Glen Edwards.

Posted in Transportation | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 6, 1940

  Another war map by Charles Owens! June 6, 1940 — Jimmie Fidler has a little story that begins: “Franz Waxman, the composer who scored 'Rebecca,' has a newly acquired Chihuahua pooch.”

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 6, 1940

Pavarotti in ‘La Boheme’

    June 6, 1980: With the skill of a surgeon, Martin Bernheimer dissects a performance by operatic sensation Luciano Pavarotti (d. 2007). “He conquered. He came. He sang. In that order,” Bernheimer says. Notice that in return for agreeing … Continue reading

Posted in #opera, classical music, Stage | 1 Comment

On the Frontiers of Medicine, 1910

  Anne Blanche in “Freckles” at the Los Angeles Theater.  June 6, 1910: Exhibit 1 in the argument that the past was not a kinder, simpler time is Abraham Flexner’s book “Medical Education in the United States and Canada.” The Times … Continue reading

Posted in Education, health, Stage | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Medicine, 1910

Voices — Jerry Clark, 1940 – 2010

   KTLA’s Stan Chambers, left, Times reporter Nieson Himmel, center, and Jerry Clark.   Note: Jerry Clark, who died Tuesday, was a longtime newsman who ran an informal group of retirees called the “Old Farts of The Times” (or in … Continue reading

Posted in Obituaries | 2 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 5, 1940

  June 5, 1940: “MGM's new Adonis, who'll be given a romantic tint, is Cliff Anderson, ex-Ciro's waiter, who was studying civil engineering while tray-pushing,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 5, 1940

Movieland Mystery Photo

     Los Angeles Times file photo    Update: As most people realized, our mystery guest is Hollywood nightclub owner Earl Carroll, who died in 1948 plane crash. In the above photo, he’s the young fellow with Elbert Hubbard (sorry, folks, … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography, Stage | 26 Comments

Cheryl Crane Escapes

  June 5, 1960: Cheryl Crane and two other inmates escape from El Retiro School for Girls, where she had been committed for killing Johnny Stompanato. "This was a big change from the meek and mild little girl who came … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | 2 Comments

Unions, Employers ‘Ready for War’ in Metalworkers’ Strike

  Kilflea Dog Soap does the job! June 5, 1910: The battle lines are becoming increasingly firm in the metalworkers’ strike and the attempt to unionize Los Angeles’ foundries, rolling mills and machine shops. The Times says: "There is no … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Los Angeles Times Bombing | Comments Off on Unions, Employers ‘Ready for War’ in Metalworkers’ Strike

John Wooden at UCLA

April 21, 1948: The Times reports that John Wooden is coming to UCLA as “head cage mentor.”  On the jump, Wooden takes UCLA to the NCAA title for his last game, March 31, 1975.

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on John Wooden at UCLA

Found on EBay – Haggarty’s

Items rarely show up from Haggarty’s, an upscale chain of Southern California women’s shops that opened in 1917 and closed in 1970. An Australian vendor has listed this dress with bids starting at $25 AU (note shipping costs). As with … Continue reading

Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, June 4, 1960

  June 4, 1960: The odd fate of Richard M. Kelley is a story worthy of Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock or John O’Hara…. CONFIDENTIAL TO 'NEEDS TO KNOW': You have been misinformed. There is no law which compels unmarried mothers … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 4, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 4, 1960

  June 4, 1960: “The other day (Monday, I think it was) I was listening to the ballgame between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Vin Scully is the regular announcer and, as usual, he was giving us fans … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Dodgers, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 4, 1960

Jimmie Fidler, June 4, 1940

  June 4, 1940: “Well, it's come more quickly than I expected! For months I've warned Hollywood producers against the peril of anti-Nazi films,” Jimmie Fidler says. Variety says: “Belief is strong in some circles that Uncle Sam will crack … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler, June 4, 1940

Kennedy, Reagan Take California Primaries

  June 4, 1980: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and former California Gov. Ronald Reagan take the California primaries in the presidential race. A Times poll finds that two-thirds of the Democrats who voted in the primary say Kennedy should … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Politics, Television | Comments Off on Kennedy, Reagan Take California Primaries

Watts Shootout Ends in Suicide

June 4, 1910: Friends and neighbors in Watts told Mrs. Taple that she should leave her husband, Chris, a pleasant, industrious man except when he was drinking. She always ignored their advice, saying that she needed to stay so he … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Watts Shootout Ends in Suicide

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 3, 1940

    June 3, 1940: Tip to ladies: Ida Lupino smears honey on her face before retiring — says it's tops as a beauty aid, Jimmie Fidler says.

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Matt Weinstock, June 3, 1960

  June 3, 1960: Matt Weinstock writes a few lines about Fairly Honest Joe, a bartender at a Hill Street saloon called the Rainbow. It’s gone and so is Fairly Honest Joe. CONFIDENTIAL TO SANDY: "Silence is not always golden … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 3, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 3, 1960

  June 3, 1960: How to pay for the proposed national healthcare program? Paul Coates writes about a campaign by congressional candidate William H. Ware Jr. for a national lottery.

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Politics | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 3, 1960

Pomona Boys Die in Crash of Stolen Plane

  June 3, 1960: James A. McDonald, 14, and his 12-year-old brother, Thomas, of Pomona took their dog and ran away from home, determined to steal a plane – destination unknown. Several months before, someone had caught them hot-wiring a … Continue reading

Posted in Obituaries, Transportation | 2 Comments