Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Hedda Hopper, March 23, 1947

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

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Hedda Hopper, March 23, 1946

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

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. 

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Fatal Jealousy Over Sister’s Wardrobe

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

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

  “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 →

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

  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 →

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Hedda Hopper, March 22, 1946

  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

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

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Meet Pat Nixon

   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

  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!

  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*)

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

  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 →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

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

  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.

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Voices — ‘Howlin Mad’ Smith

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

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‘Champion Speeder’ Gets Term in Jail

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

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

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

Posted in #Jim Murray, Columnists, Sports | Comments Off on Jim Murray, March 20, 1980