Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

The Times’ Court Reporter Files a Story in Dialect

Posted on June 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 3, 1910: The Times’ court reporter files a story in dialect about two African American women who are charged with fighting. Ouch. And police arrest newsboys shooting dice behind the offices of Los Angeles Record (1886-1931).

Posted in #courts, classical music, Countdown to Watts, LAPD, Music | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock, June 2, 1960

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 2, 1960: Matt Weinstock tells the story of Los Angeles reporter Jack Emmit, whose career ended up on skid row. CONFIDENTIAL TO 'HAD IT': Any husband who will lock his 25-year-old, attractive, immaculate, affectionate wife out of the … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 2, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 2, 1941

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 2, 1941: “Carmen Miranda's bruises shocked the 20th Century-Fox execs into ordering her off surfboards while she's in a picture,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 2, 1960

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 2, 1960: Paul Coates catches up with former Floradora Girl Evelyn Nesbit, whose millionaire husband, Harry K. Thaw, killed architect Stanford White in a jealous rage during a rooftop performance at Madison Square Garden in June 1906.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Paul Coates, Stage | 1 Comment

William A. Fraker, 1923 – 2010

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

William A. Fraker In my two-story career as a freelancer for American Cinematographer, I interviewed the late William Fraker on location in Florence, Ariz., for the 1985 James Garner-Sally Field movie "Murphy's Romance," directed by Martin Ritt. For my previous … Continue reading →

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

Fantasia!

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 2, 1980: Yes, young persons, “Fantasia” came back in 1980 as a “head film” (note the smoke and mushrooms).  In 1982, in an attempt to improve the audio quality, Disney had a pickup orchestra and conductor/composer Irwin “Chitty … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, classical music, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Homemade Bread Is Slavery!

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

   June 2, 1910: Husbands! Homemade bread is slavery! A loaf of Holsum (10 cents/$2.27 USD 2009) is better anyway. On the jump, a pincher gets pinched.

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, LAPD | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, June 1, 1960

Posted on June 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 1, 1960: Los Angeles’ parking lot valets are getting out of hand, Matt Weinstock says. On the jump,  Abby has advice for a 17-year-old girl who is worried that she has “stunted her growth” because when she was younger, … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 1, 1960

Posted on June 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 1, 1960: Paul Coates has a follow-up on the raid on the 25-cent gambling pool on roller derby at Olympic Auditorium. The judge dismissed the case.

Posted in #courts, Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 1, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 1, 1940

Posted on June 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 1, 1940: "We hear that Lana Turner's constant bickering with MGM heads is not prompted by Artie Shaw at all but by a wardrobe girl who's been giving Lana a lot of bad advice,” Jimmie Fidler’s staff says.

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

Man Who Hated Cops Dies in High-Speed Chase

Posted on June 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 1, 1960: Robert Clarke, 21, is dead and all we really know about him is that he hated cops. He terrorized a Montebello police officer a few days before crashing into a tree during a high-speed chase with … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Man Who Hated Cops Dies in High-Speed Chase

Man Hospitalized After Shooting Himself

Posted on June 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Not one, but two ostrich farms in the Los Angeles area! June 1, 1910: "The next thing I knew, I heard a shot and I ran to where he was. I saw him, blood all over, and his shirt … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Suicide | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, May 31, 1960

Posted on May 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 31, 1960: Matt Weinstock has more on unlisted phone numbers. And no, nothing has changed about phone solicitors in 50 years. DEAR BOBBI: Sorry, but once a girl turns down a date to a dance, she shouldn't show up … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, May 31, 1960

Paul Coates – Confidential File, May 31, 1960

Posted on May 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 31, 1960: Paul Coates writes about Norman Farberow and Edwin Shneidman, founders of the Suicide Prevention Center.

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Suicide | Comments Off on Paul Coates – Confidential File, May 31, 1960

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 31, 1940

Posted on May 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Without access to news photos, The Times publishes Frederic Eddy’s drawing of what the evacuation of Dunkirk might have looked like. May 31, 1940: “Bells to Billie Burke for her campaign to lower the cost of Los Angeles dog … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 31, 1940

From the Vaults: ‘The Mummy’s Hand’ (1940)

Posted on May 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Back to vintage horror this week, with a classic from the Universal vaults… although "The Mummy's Hand" is more of a remake (or re-imagining!) of the 1932 classic "The Mummy" starring Boris Karloff. Not quite a sequel but definitely not … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 4 Comments

Memorial Day, 1910

Posted on May 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 31, 1910 : “They were fewer and failing in strength but mighty in spirit. About 150 veterans gathered to pass in an annual review before the generations which have come into existence since the soldiers were mustered out … Continue reading →

Posted in Cemeteries, Transportation | Comments Off on Memorial Day, 1910

Matt Weinstock, May 30, 1960

Posted on May 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 30, 1960: Matt Weinstock writes a bit more about Bunzo Minagawa, a Japanese soldier who was found on Guam 16 years after the U.S. recaptured the island. DEAR COFFEE BREAKERS: I would say 39. The proof is that millions … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, May 30, 1960

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on May 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Update: Yes, this is George Raft and Bugsy Siegel from a 1944 hearing on bookmaking charges. OK, this may not be much of a mystery, but it’s too cool not to post. Finding a … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 13 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 30, 1960

Posted on May 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 30, 1960: Paul Coates spends Memorial Day on skid row and talks with a World War I veteran. 

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 30, 1960