Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 15, 1940

Posted on April 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 15, 1940: “Victor is dickering with Jimmy Cagney for sales rights to his monologue recordings of the Dalton Trumbo novel ‘Johnny Got His Gun,’ ” Jimmie Fidler says.

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Hoffman, Field and ‘Kramer’ Win Academy Awards

Posted on April 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 15, 1980: Dustin Hoffman and Sally Field win Academy Awards for leading roles and “Kramer vs. Kramer” is named the best picture in a ceremony at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Mevlyn Douglas and Meryl Streep win the best supporting … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Gene Mauch to Manage Phillies

Posted on April 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 15, 1960: Gene Mauch, perhaps the best manager never to win a World Series title, was ready to start his big league career running the Philadelphia Phillies. "My ambition isn't just to be a big league manager but the … Continue reading →

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A Mysterious Prisoner in Jail

Posted on April 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 15, 1910: The Times publishes a curious story about a man whom jailers have nicknamed Charlie Cash, inspired in part by one of the incomprehensible phrases he says: “Kush, kush.” He’s an industrious fellow and whenever he’s put on … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on A Mysterious Prisoner in Jail

Matt Weinstock, April 14, 1960

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Let’s go to the Ambassador  and see where Milton Berle performed — no wait, we let L.A. Unified tear it down. Feeding Fosdic     In the event anyone is wondering what will happen to all those forms the census … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 14, 1960

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Tijuana Has Tourist Bureau That Works     On Sept. 29 of last year, a flimsy, unimpressive booth was erected at 390 Avenida Revolucion, downtown Tijuana's busiest thoroughfare.  On it was tacked the sign, "Tijuana Tourist Bureau."     It was … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

Oct. 14, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit the La Brea tar pits for another installment of Nuestro Pueblo. In case you just tuned in, the posts of the original 1938-39 run ended last year. I’m going back and … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 14, 1941

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 14, 1941: “Orson [Welles], having at last backed his boasts by producing a very fine picture, should now set himself the more difficult task — if it's not too late — of making a few friends,” Jimmie Fidler says.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 3 Comments

Contract Awarded for Dodger Stadium

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 14, 1960: The contract to build the Dodgers' ballpark in Chavez Ravine was announced and Walter O'Malley once again talked about delays. "A final completion date cannot be fixed at this time due to the uncertainty of the various … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown | Comments Off on Contract Awarded for Dodger Stadium

Brown Signs Nation’s First Smog Law

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 14, 1960: Gov. Pat Brown signs America’s first law requiring emissions controls on automobiles. "I consider this bill one of the most far-reaching pieces of legislation to come across my desk in my 15 months as governor," he said. … Continue reading →

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Death at the Bimini Baths

Posted on April 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 14, 1910: The story is old and the details are fragmentary. Victor Lamar, 15, and Father E.V. Reynolds, a Catholic priest from Oklahoma, met somehow in Los Angeles. Reynolds might have paid Lamar $3 or $4 [$68-$90 USD … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Death at the Bimini Baths

Matt Weinstock, April 13, 1960

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sweden and Chessman     David Stone, instructor at John Adams Junior High School, plans a trip to Europe this summer with another teacher.  Not long ago he wrote a friendly letter to a newspaper in Sweden giving the date … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 13, 1960

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  In a photo taken by guest Bob Profeta during a party at their Hollywood apartment, Florence Aadland, left, scuffles with her 17-year-old daughter, Beverly, during an argument over whether the television was too loud. You may recall that Beverly … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Paul Coates, Photography | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 13, 1940

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

   April 13, 1940: “Wot's this re: Orson Welles retrenching financially by moving into the Hollywood YMCA,” Jimmie Fidler asks.

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Dodgers Open With 11th Inning Win Over Cubs, 3-2

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 13, 1960: The Dodgers opened the season with another record crowd at the Coliseum, with 67,550 fans watching a 3-2 victory over the Cubs. Chuck Essegian's home run made the difference and Don Drysdale stuck out 14 as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Open With 11th Inning Win Over Cubs, 3-2

Giants Open Candlestick Park With Win

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

    April 13, 1960: Candlestick Park opened in San Francisco and The Times' Al Wolf described the stadium as "magnificent." Candlestick Park?

Posted in Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Giants Open Candlestick Park With Win

Union Officer Recalls Lowering U.S. Flag at Ft. Sumter

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 13, 1910: The Times marks the [Update: 49th — I think a 100-year-old correction is some sort of record] 50th anniversary of the firing on Ft. Sumter by interviewing an officer who was there, Lt. Col. W.H. Hamner, a … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, April 12, 1960

Posted on April 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  An Escape to Nature       There's this hideaway up near Lake Hughes and Sunday, responding to an urge to get away from mundane affairs, a group of weekend pioneers, equipped with enough picnic lunch for twice their number, … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 12, 1960

Posted on April 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Barbara Stanwyck’s Son Thinks It Over Hollywood kids have a habit of making headlines the hard way. Some — like Barbara Burns, Eddie Robinson Jr. and Cheryl Crane — started precociously in their teens. Others — Dennis Crosby and Diana … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | 3 Comments

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, April 12, 1940

Posted on April 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

June Storey in “Rancho Grande” with Gene Autry. April 12, 1940: Seen in profile, W.C. Fields' expression is touchingly nose-talgic, Jimmie Fidler says. 

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