Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Police Raid Chinatown Gambling Dens

Posted on May 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 4, 1910: Police conduct gambling raids in Chinatown in the 300 block of Marchessault Street, at 424 N. Los Angeles St.,  335 1/2 Apablasa and on North Alameda. On the jump, in the final days of the U.S. census, … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, May 3, 1960

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

   May 3, 1960: A stripper named Vagablonde promises to do her Lady Godiva act by riding a white horse down Broadway to protest 15-cent coffee… if someone will furnish a white horse, Matt Weinstock says. 

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

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 3, 1960: Ray Burke and George S. Doombadze share a phone number and some frustration, Paul Coates says.

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

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 3, 1940

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 3, 1940: “Marlene Dietrich, Erich Maria Remarque and Josef von Sternberg a nightly threesome at the Sphinx, where television's being served with dinner,” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Lynn Redgrave and ‘House Calls’

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 20, 1981: Universal Studios says Lynn Redgrave left “House Calls” over her salary “demands,” The Times says. A transcript of a phone call between her husband/manager John Clark and Universal’s Pete Terranova tells a different story.

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

Chessman’s Execution a ‘Breath of Fresh Air,’ Times Says

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo May 2, 1960: A hearse carries the body of Caryl Chessman out of San Quentin.   May 3, 1960: Caryl Chessman is executed after a last-minute plea goes awry when a judge’s secretary calls … Continue reading →

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From the Vaults: ‘Black Sunday’ (1960)

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

I'm so sorry: I know last week I promised Zorro, and I had the 1920 Douglas Fairbanks movie all cued up and ready to go. But there was a full moon out, and Mario Bava's "Black Sunday" had just showed … Continue reading →

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

Crowds Demand Money From Spring Street Bank

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo The All Night and Day Bank, Spring and 6th Streets, c. 1911. May 3, 1910: You may recall the All Night and Day Bank from a 2009 post.  For reasons that aren’t explained in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Front Pages, Photography | Comments Off on Crowds Demand Money From Spring Street Bank

Matt Weinstock, May 2, 1960

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 2, 1960: ONLY IN L.A. — A man telephoned the city desk Friday when the 10 a.m. air raid siren test sounded to ask if it was the burglar alarm on the city treasury. Les Wagner assured him … Continue reading →

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

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

    May 2, 1960: Let me cite you the case of Bertha H. Hangen, the Topanga elementary school teacher who is fighting dismissal on charges that she referred to individuals in her flock as “stupid,” “baby,” “messy looking” and, … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 2, 1941

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 2, 1941: “I've yet to see Adolphe Menjou in evening attire sans a boutonniere,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

CHESSMAN DIES

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 2, 1960: Don Dwiggins of the Mirror News writes: “At exactly 10:03:25, an unidentified guard tripped a lever that sent cyanide pellets dropping into an acid bucket beneath Chessman's seat. “Chessman seemed to tense noticeably, held his breath, … Continue reading →

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Chessman Execution Today!

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo From left, UC history professor Richard Drinnon; actors Marlon Brando, Steve Allen and Shirley MacLaine; and UC professor Eugene Burdick enter the governor's mansion in Sacramento to urge Gov. Pat Brown to spare the … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 1, 1940

Posted on May 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The Times publishes another drawing by Charles Owens, showing what the fight for Dombas, Norway, might have looked like.  May 1, 1940: “Hollywood After Dark: Amazonian Geraldine Ross, Florentine Gardens star, singing torch songs to mite-y George E. Stone, … Continue reading →

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Talking With John Huston, 1980

Posted on May 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

   May 1, 1980: John Huston talks to Roderick Mann about filming “Victory” and about his upcoming autobiography, “An Open Book.” 

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On the Frontiers of Medicine, 1910

Posted on May 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 1, 1910: Although Harry Ellington Brook was a popular and respected institution at The Times from 1886 to 1912 and 1917 to 1924, I had never encountered  him before, and his proclamations on health can only be described … Continue reading →

Posted in health | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, April 30, 1960

Posted on April 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Boys Are Finding People Aren't So Bad     A recent wire story from Liberty, N.Y., related that business was bad for the brothers Katz-Steven, 10, Arthur, 8, and Robert, 6 — founders of the Sav-A-Fine Co., a non-profit organization.  … Continue reading →

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

Posted on April 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment     "Dear Paul:     "You touched my heartstrings the other day when you mentioned in your column that you love tapioca.     "I myself am willing to do anything to help bring back tapioca.  In … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 30, 1940

Posted on April 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

    April 30, 1940: “Look for screams from stellar biggies when Los Angeles fire officials start enforcing the new ordinance banning trailer dressing rooms from sound stages,” Jimmie Fidler says. Wot’s this about Italian envoy Dino “The Charmer” Alfieri … Continue reading →

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on April 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Los Angeles Times file photo  Our mystery guest is Vera Lewis, above, in a photo dated Aug. 27, 1916. Feb. 12, 1956: Lewis dies at the age of 82. June 14 1925: Elinor Glyn says Vera Lewis is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 25 Comments