Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 11, 1940

Posted on May 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 11, 1940: “Spencer Tracy jaunts to Wisconsin on completion of 'Boom Town' to accept that honorary degree from Ripon College,” Jimmie Fidler’s staff says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 11, 1940

The Big Holdup: Hollywood Plagiarism

Posted on May 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 11, 1980: "Charges of plagiarism, copyright infringement and theft of idea are common in Hollywood. Almost every feature film produced here each year (roughly 250, counting independent releases) is hit with one or more such claims, especially if the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

A Baffling Murder in Denver

Posted on May 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

Clayton Street via Google maps’ street view. May 11, 1910: Catherine (or Katherine) Wilson is found stuffed into a packing crate at 1054 Clayton St. and suspicion focuses on a Japanese man supposedly hired to help her move in. The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, May 10, 1960

Posted on May 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Wilson’s Got a Bomb!” May 10, 1960: A lady has a recurring dream about her hairdresser failing to keep an appointment. She finds it terrifying, but Matt Weinstock think it’s funny. “I get into more darn arguments that way,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, May 10, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 10, 1960

Posted on May 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

     May 10, 1960: “All is not sunshine and fun for the California visitor,” Paul Coates says.  One tourist writes: "If a person can't walk down Hollywood Boulevard without being embarrassed for his wife and children, then it's time … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 10, 1960

Voices – Lena Horne, 1917 – 2010

Posted on May 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 13, 1968: Lena Horne discusses her return to Hollywood after 12 years for “Patch,” which was apparently released as “Death of a Gunfighter.” "I left because I got sick and tired of being a Negro woman leaning against … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on Voices – Lena Horne, 1917 – 2010

Talking to the Dodgers’ Nobe Kawano

Posted on May 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 10, 1960: Jeane Hoffman does a nice profile of the Dodger’s Nobe (Nobu in this story) Kawano with a shout-out to his brother Yosh. 

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | 1 Comment

From the Vaults: ‘The Mark of Zorro’ (1920)

Posted on May 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

OK, people, let's swash some buckles; I finally got around to Zorro this week. (And this will probably be my last 1920 film for a while. Larry advises he's moving on from there. Upcoming reviews will focus on films from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 8 Comments

Jack Johnson Training for Title Fight

Posted on May 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 10, 1910: Jack Johnson starts training for his Fourth of July fight with Jim Jeffries by going 12 miles in the morning and an additional five in the afternoon. “Newspaper men present at the taking of pictures of Jack … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Jack Johnson Training for Title Fight

Paul V. Coates and Matt Weinstock, May 9, 1960

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 9, 1960: Paul Coates plays with the announcement of special TV news for children, and imagines what it would be like as delivered by Sheriff John. (Beverly Aadland has been a naughty girl again) … And  Matt Weinstock … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Front Pages, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates and Matt Weinstock, May 9, 1960

On the Frontiers of Education

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

I’ve been laughing about this all weekend and wanted to share it.

Posted in art and artists, books, Education | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Education

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 9, 1940

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 9, 1940: “Paulette Goddard gifted makeup man Wally Westmore with a 10-foot fishing launch on the completing of ‘The Ghost Breakers,’ ” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 9, 1940

Movie Mystery Photo

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Los Angeles Times file photo  Los Angeles Times file photo  Here’s our mystery guest with two mystery companions. Please congratulate Dennis Morgan, James Curtis, Lou Zogby, Angus, LA Morgue Files, Zabadu and Rick Scott  for identifying him. I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Photography | 21 Comments

Talking With Sid Caesar

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 9, 1980: Times’ Pulitzer winner Howard Rosenberg, in top form, interviews Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Caesar talks about Mel Brooks … and “Saturday Night Live.”

Posted in broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

LAPD’s Cars Are Useless Wrecks

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 9, 1910: “The first automobile purchased by the Police Department was an electric patrol wagon. This proved to be a failure, was used but little, and is now stored in the basement of the jail. Then a gearless … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on LAPD’s Cars Are Useless Wrecks

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 8, 1940

Posted on May 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 8, 1940: “When the Flo Ziegfeld estate was auctioned a plaster bust of Billie Burke went for $3.50,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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

Reagan Searches for Running Mate

Posted on May 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 8, 1980: “Many times Reagan has told his staff and his supporters that the vice presidential nominee must be someone who would carry on the Reagan philosophy if anything should happen to him,” The Times’ Richard Bergholz says.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Reagan Searches for Running Mate

Talking With the Dodgers’ Vince ‘the Voice’ Scully

Posted on May 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 8, 1960:  The headline would make any Dodger fan shudder: "Vince Scully Turns Back Pages to Worst Moments Before Mike." The story by The Times' Jeane Hoffman actually was an entertaining conversation with the Dodgers' broadcaster about his … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers, Television | 2 Comments

Tattooing Is London’s Fashionable Craze, 1910

Posted on May 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 8, 1910: A London tattoo artist says, “Not long ago, too, a lady came to me to have a cat's head tattooed on her arm. It was a portrait of a pet animal which she recently had lost. Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Fashion | Comments Off on Tattooing Is London’s Fashionable Craze, 1910

Matt Weinstock, May 7, 1960

Posted on May 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 7, 1960: Shades of 1953 -– Pink shirts for men are back. They go with those charcoal gray suits.

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, May 7, 1960