Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Matt Weinstock, April 2, 1960

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Fly Hard … Hard… Hard!” Fowl in Fish Bowl       Next to driving, the big problem for motorists is parking.  And since the upsurge of the sports car, life can be fraught with chaos.  Take the case of … Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment       "Paul Coates,       "Regarding the recent television show you had about the dog who was left behind in Kentucky and found his way to California and found his masters, probably the dog … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 2, 1960

Harvey Glatman Update

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 31, 1958: Harvey Glatman admits killing Judith Ann Dull, Shirley Ann Bridgeford and Ruth Mercado. I was recently contacted by Det. Steve Ainsworth of the Boulder County, Colo., Sheriff’s Office regarding a 1954 Jane Doe who may be … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Sandra Giles, Miss 8-Ball, 1958. Above, a 1963 publicity photo promoting her appearance in “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” May 22, 1956: Sandra Giles, upset over a nude portrait of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 4 Comments

The Long and Short of Baseball Fashions

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by Phil Bath / Los Angeles Times WELL, FANCY THIS! – Portland Beaver Manager Bill Sweeney’s reaction to Hollywood’s Fred Haney’s “new look” was expressed with sweet peas and a curtsey. April 2, 1950: How could The Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Hollywood, Sports | Comments Off on The Long and Short of Baseball Fashions

Artist’s Notebook: Outside the Edison

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Outside the Edison,” by Marion Eisenmann. I thought it would be fun to write about the crowds that have revived downtown nightlife in the last few years, so late one Friday, Marion Eisenmann and I strolled up 2nd Street from … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann, Nightclubs, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Donald Douglas Visits Los Angeles

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 2, 1920: "Southern California, with its wonderful climate, splendid labor conditions and remarkable terrain, is certain to come to the front as aviation advances. Not only in the operation of aircraft will Southern California take the lead, but, above … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Donald Douglas Visits Los Angeles

Chauffeur Is Speed Crazy

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 2, 1910: "The motorcycle men are after me and they will never get me," he cried. "I'm going to give them a race for their money this time. If they get me they will send me to jail."

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, April 1, 1960

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Wait! I Don’t Trust You!” Ethereal Hitchhiker       Until recently Rhoda Cross, who lives near Vermont and Fountain Aves., had a two-party telephone line, or at least that's what she thought.  But several weeks ago she started hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, April 1, 1960

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

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Handicapped Group Needs a Few Tools       The night was May 29, 1958.  It was a minute or two after 10 o'clock and I was on the studio lot at KTTV, waiting to go on the air with my … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 1, 1960

Kennedy Leads Nixon in Gallup Poll

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 1, 1960: Vice President Richard Nixon pours Billy Graham a cup of coffee during a White House visit. Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) leads Vice President Richard Nixon in a presidential election poll, 53% to 47%, George Gallup … Continue reading →

Posted in JFK, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Kennedy Leads Nixon in Gallup Poll

Baseball Executives Say TV Games Are Bad for Business

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 1, 1950:  The Hollywood Stars were worried television was bad for business. The Stars, coming off a 1949 season in which they won the Pacific Coast League title, were televising their home games locally. But after disappointing attendance … Continue reading →

Posted in Hollywood, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Holy Week, 1920

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 1, 1920: The Times reports on the increasing popularity of Easter sunrise services, an observance held on Mt. Rubidoux for the first time in 1909.  “The unique feature of Easter in Southern California is the sunrise service. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Comments Off on Holy Week, 1920

Dog Show Stages Bloodhounds’ Chase of African American Boy

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 1, 1910: The Mississippi Valley Kennel Club dog show concludes with a demonstration of bloodhounds chasing an African American boy through the streets of St. Louis and trapping him in the coliseum. “The hounds, Fanney and Queen, are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Countdown to Watts | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Julian Eltinge

Posted on March 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

This postcard of female impersonator Julian Eltinge advertising his appearance at Los Angeles’ Mason Opera House in October 1913 has been listed on EBay. The photo shows him in “The Fascinating Widow,” one of his most famous roles. Bidding on … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Stage | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Julian Eltinge

Matt Weinstock – March 31, 1960

Posted on March 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Seat of Judgment      A man I know was notified a few days ago that his auto insurance had been canceled.  Indignant, he demanded to know why.  He was told that the insurance company had checked his driving record and … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 31, 1960

Posted on March 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Major Family Tragedy of Our Atomic Times       There's sadness in the face of Jackson McVey.  Lined into his forehead and around his mouth, it never completely disappears, even when he smiles.       It's a sadness not without … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, health, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

State of California vs. Edwin Estrada

Posted on March 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

The case of Edwin Estrada never made the news. No one heard about him on the radio or TV and he wasn't even worth a few lines on City News Service, which feeds tips to all the L.A. news outlets … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Voices – Jaime Escalante, 1930 – 2010

Posted on March 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

   July 21, 1983: Jaime Escalante once worked as a busboy at a Pasadena coffee shop because he didn’t speak English.

Posted in Education, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 30, 1960

Posted on March 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Ditched Duck     Easter is nigh and again doting parents will buy livestock for their children.  Let them take heed.     Last Easter a man named Norm, who lives in Palos Verdes, bought his son, 4, a duck.  The … Continue reading →

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