Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Jury Duty

Posted on March 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

Notice: I’m on jury duty, so posting will be light until it’s over.

Posted in #courts, Changeling | 2 Comments

L.A. Moment

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

Dec. 25, 1944: Glenn Miller’s plane disappears. I was coming back from lunch at Koo-Koo-Roo on Grand Avenue this afternoon and while waiting for the light, I heard Glenn Miller’s “American Patrol” floating out a window of one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Music | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 23, 1960

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Police Problems in Hunting Arsonist       You're a cop and, maybe, he's a pyromaniac.       A special kind of criminal.       His weapon isn't a gun or a knife.  Shake him down and you learn nothing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 23, 1960

Hedda Hopper, March 23, 1947

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1947: Robert Mitchum has all the coyness of a barrel of TNT, Hedda Hopper says.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Hedda Hopper, March 23, 1947

Hedda Hopper, March 23, 1946

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1946: John Ford is at work on “My Darling Clementine,” Hedda Hopper says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Support for Capital Punishment Drops to 51%, Poll Finds

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1960: The Caryl Chessman case has underscored the worldwide debate over capital punishment, the Gallup Poll says. Americans support state executions 51% to 36%, with 13% undecided, the poll found, a decline from 68% support in 1953. 

Posted in Caryl Chessman | Comments Off on Support for Capital Punishment Drops to 51%, Poll Finds

Fatal Jealousy Over Sister’s Wardrobe

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1910: Catherine Manx, 16, is charged with poisoning her older sister Elizabeth, 19, out of jealousy over her wardrobe, The Times says. Catherine says she bought the strychnine on behalf of a stranger. The chloroform was for cleaning, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Fashion, Homicide | 2 Comments

Sophomore With 41-Inch Bust Too Distracting to Male Students, College Says

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1960: I passed this item to my friend Gwen Sharp, a writer for Sociological Images. Her post on our friend Sandy Cherniss has made it to Jezebel.

Posted in Education, Photography | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 22, 1960

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Hello? Anybody There?” A Courageous Move     Along with spring, a sign has appeared in the Brentwood Country Mart, out in bosky del country, stating firmly, "Men Must Wear Shirts."  It is the first voice of protest in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 22, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 22, 1960

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Cynical Columnist Gets More Cynical       You think I seem a little sallow lately?  A kind of drawn, hunted look about me?  Deepening circles under the eyes?       You're right.  I'm sick.       But it's nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 22, 1960

Hedda Hopper, March 22, 1946

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 22, 1946: Metro shelves “Frankie From Frisco” because the subject matter is too tough to lick, Hedda Hopper says. Based on a James M. Cain story with a screenplay by Robert D. Andrews, "Frankie From Frisco" was set … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

KFI Expects Big Ratings From Scully and the Dodgers

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 22, 1970: The Dodgers destroyed the Angels in radio ratings.

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers | Comments Off on KFI Expects Big Ratings From Scully and the Dodgers

Meet Pat Nixon

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

   March 22, 1960: Pat Nixon supported herself after her parents died, including work as a movie extra. Look for her in “Becky Sharp.” On the jump, “The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond” … and Roy Campanella is taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Meet Pat Nixon

In the Days of Film Flacking

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 22, 1920: The Times says Annette Kellerman takes too many risks to get accident insurance or life insurance,  but she can get “coverage” – so to speak — for her figure.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Music | 1 Comment

Oil!

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 22, 1910: Oil executive A.B. Cohn says "… the Lakeview gusher can be seen sprouting oil like a miniature volcano for 20 miles across the desert country and it is impossible to approach within a reasonable distance of … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Transportation | Comments Off on Oil!

From the Vaults: ‘The Wasp Woman’ (1960*)

Posted on March 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

Note: Larry is posting items from 1920 and 1960 this year, and I will be watching movies from those years and writing about them, alternating weeks. This week is 1960's turn. And I owe you people something of an apology, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 21, 1960

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Pulling a Chessman?     The letter, neatly written in pencil, is from a man named Arthur.     "I am in the City Jail on a phony beef," it begins.  "About 2:30 a.m. March 1 I was forced into a … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 21, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Journalism Lesson From a Dixie Editor     My mother didn’t exactly cancel her subscription to The Mirror News. What she did, she called me up — collect — from her flat in the Bronx just before Christmas last year with … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Westbrook Pegler, Fair Enough, March 21, 1941

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 21, 1941: Westbrook Pegler breaks down the organization of the Army and compares it to the way the service was arranged in what was then known as the World War.

Posted in Columnists, Politics | Comments Off on Westbrook Pegler, Fair Enough, March 21, 1941

Voices — ‘Howlin Mad’ Smith

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1960: Jack Smith profiles retired Gen. Holland Smith, who died in 1967 at the age of 84. 

Posted in Jack Smith, Obituaries | Comments Off on Voices — ‘Howlin Mad’ Smith