Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1920: William A. Marr says his motorcycle doesn’t work well unless he’s going 40 mph.

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on ‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

A Baffling Case – Solved

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1910: Rancher David W. Dwire, a powerfully built Los Feliz rancher, is found shot to death, completely clothed except for his right foot. His missing hat, shoe and stocking are found 100 yards away. Is it murder or … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | 1 Comment

Jim Murray, March 20, 1980

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1980: Jim Murray on the Fosbury flop.

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Westbrook Pegler on the Phillies, March 22, 1926

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 20, 1926: I have to say, Peg was a pretty fair sports columnist, as he shows in this piece on the Phillies.  He writes: "They will lose with rousing reluctance, the customers will see earnest, if not polished, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Sports | Comments Off on Westbrook Pegler on the Phillies, March 22, 1926

Dodgers Giving Up on Stadium for ’61 Season

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 20, 1960: The Dodgers were giving up hope they would open the 1961 season in their new Chavez Ravine stadium. Walter O'Malley complained to The Times' sports editor, Paul Zimmerman, about the "little delays" that kept construction from … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dodgers, Downtown | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Anne Nagel in a publicity photo stamped Sept. 17, 1936.   July 8, 1966: Anne Nagel dies of cancer at the age of 50.     Just a reminder on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Suicide | 28 Comments

GOP Loses Voting Strength, Poll finds

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1960: The Gallup Poll says: “…the Republican Party nationwide continues at one of its lowest ebbs in basic voting strength.” I have to wonder whether results like this set off any alarms among Republicans. Perhaps later stories will … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, JFK, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Stage | Comments Off on GOP Loses Voting Strength, Poll finds

Crimes of Violence and Lust

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1920: After reading this long litany of crime, I began to wonder if The Times was merely going to catalog everything that was wrong with society or provide a solution -– perhaps a call for more police officers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Fewer Japanese in U.S., Report Says

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1910: The Commissioner General of Immigration reports that there are 3,457 fewer Japanese in the U.S. and Hawaii, due to a decrease in immigration and an increase in emigration. The largest category of non-laborers is “no occupation,” but … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, art and artists | Comments Off on Fewer Japanese in U.S., Report Says

Matt Weinstock, March 19, 1960

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “?” Pig Stickers, En Garde     Sportsmen who complain they have to go farther and farther for good fishing and hunting — prepare to drool.  Dr. Louis Higger of L.A. writes from Kati, New Zealand: "Here we are on … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 19, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 19, 1960

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Mash Notes and Comment     (Press Release)  "John Mason Brown is a conversationalist critic whose verbal outpourings since birth have never ceased  to be witty and original, as well as readily and steadily forthcoming . . . " … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Comics, Paul Coates, Television, UFOs | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 19, 1960

Ron Milner, March 19, 1980

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 19, 1980: Lawrence Christon reviews Ron Milner’s “Season’s Reasons,” which he calls “a state of the black union address." "Much of the play emphasizes how little American racial attitudes have improved," Christon says.  Milner died in July 16, … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Obituaries, Stage | Comments Off on Ron Milner, March 19, 1980

Hedda Hopper, March 19, 1945

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “The Three Caballeros” premieres at the Guild Theatre. March 19, 1945: “The Academy should never be allowed to give awards without Bob Hope as m.c.,” Hedda Hopper says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Hedda Hopper, March 19, 1945

Ted Williams Praises Dodger Hitters

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

Well, it was the 1970s….   March 19, 1970: Ted Williams, manager of the Washington Senators who knew a few things about hitting, had high praise for two Dodgers. "Within three years (Bill) Bucker will lead the National League in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | 2 Comments

Golden State Freeway Segment Opens

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 19, 1960: A 2.8-mile section of the Golden State Freeway opens and  officials hope that it will relieve congestion. Also on the jump, complaints about poorly designed off-ramps on the Ventura Freeway in the San Fernando Valley … … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Golden State Freeway Segment Opens

Film Features Los Angeles City Fire Department

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

“When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs. March 19, 1920: The Ince Studios presents a film of the Los Angeles Fire Department, including half a block of buildings that were set on fire, The Times says. 

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Car Theft Victim Calls for Crackdown on Joyriding

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 19, 1910: Until recently, about three cars a week were stolen in Los Angeles, The Times says.

Posted in #courts, LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Car Theft Victim Calls for Crackdown on Joyriding

Artist’s Notebook: Travel Town

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Travel Town,” by Marion Eisenmann. Marion Eisenmann and I went to Travel Town in Griffith Park last summer because the old trains are popular with young children and I thought there would be some opportunities for interesting sketch subjects. It … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Marion Eisenmann, Parks and Recreation, Transportation | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 18, 1960

Posted on March 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

For Liquid Prose     Today's study in wonderful irrelevance brings us to a brochure announcing Writer's Digest's annual $3,500 short story contest.  First prize is $500 and contestants must subscribe to qualify.  But money and fame aren't the only incentive … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 18, 1960

Paul Coates Is Ill

Posted on March 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 18, 1960: I always worry when Coates is sick because the poor fellow died at the age of 47 in 1968.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates Is Ill