Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Detective Connor and the Golden Rule

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 6, 1910: William Montgomery Clemens’ stories were a frequent feature in an era when newspapers published Sunday supplements. Clemens (1860-1931) was a nephew of Mark Twain.

Posted in art and artists, books | Comments Off on Detective Connor and the Golden Rule

‘I Laugh, Ho, Ho, at Black Hand,’ Caruso Says

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 6, 1920: Enrico Caruso laughs at threatening letters from the Black Hand. “I will sing in Brooklyn on Monday!” he vows.

Posted in #opera, classical music, Music | Comments Off on ‘I Laugh, Ho, Ho, at Black Hand,’ Caruso Says

Matt Weinstock, March 5, 1960

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Praise Allah for These Crooked Streets!” A Boy Can Dig        All actor Neil Hamilton did was inquire innocently if anyone remembered the entire alphabetical sentence of which the first words were A Boy Can Dig Enough Fine … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Television | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 5, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 5, 1960

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Leonard Warren, 1911-1960 Telephone Girls Belie Propaganda       I'm a client, reasonably well paid up, of Pacific Telephone Co.  And I'd like to assure you that my complaint is nothing personal.       In fact, over the years, I've … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #opera, classical music, Columnists, Environment, Homicide, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 5, 1960

Dodgers Looking for a Third Baseman

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Willie Davis works on bunting at Vero Beach. March 5, 1970: The Dodgers couldn't decide on a third baseman, not a new problem for the franchise. The Times' Ross Newhan noted that the Dodgers had used 38 players at … Continue reading →

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Our mystery fellows are comedians Ole Olsen, right, and Chic Johnson, 1934. Feb. 28, 1962: Chic Johnson dies in Las Vegas at the age of 70. In a sidebar, Olsen quoted the farewell … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 55 Comments

Finch Case Goes to Jury

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times March 5, 1960: Carole Tregoff. The caption information on the back says “Carole Guilty,” which has been changed to “Carole Tregoff.” March 5, 1960: The Finch case goes to the jury, which … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, Photography | Comments Off on Finch Case Goes to Jury

LAPD Chief Wants More Officers

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

“The Days of Real Sport,” by Clare Briggs.   March 5, 1920: Police Chief Home appeals to the City Council for 300 more officers because so many have been transferred to the Central Division from more rural areas. Recall the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on LAPD Chief Wants More Officers

Lummis Quits Library Job

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 5, 1910: This was one of those days when there were too many good stories to focus on one: Charles Lummis resigns as city librarian … a veterinarian's assistant dies a horrible death after being bitten by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, books, City Hall, Front Pages, Science | Comments Off on Lummis Quits Library Job

Artist’s Notebook: Sign Spinning

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

 “Flying Ads,” by Marion Eisenmann. You find these young men (and they always seem to be young men) with their handheld signs all over Los Angeles, advertising pizza, condos or some other business.  I saw one fellow put on an … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann | Comments Off on Artist’s Notebook: Sign Spinning

Found on EBay: Pershing Square Cannon

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  You may recall a post I did last year on Pershing Square’s missing cannon, which vanished after being moved to Travel Town in Griffith Park. Here’s a 1905 postcard showing the cannon, which has been listed on EBay. Bidding … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Parks and Recreation, Photography | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 4, 1960

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

To Mars in a Tub       The reason the Russians are beating us into space is no mystery to Sam Lobell of S Westmoreland Ave.  In a word — bathtubs.  Others may cite graphs and statistics showing Russian emphasis … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 4, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 4, 1960

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

Yes, the Mirror ran photos of the entire jury in the Finch case.  Mash Notes and Comment       (Press Release) " 'Some people have said I'm stingy,' says J. Paul Getty, who at 67 is probably the richest private … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Homicide | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 4, 1960

‘The Tin Drum’ Opens Filmex 80

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jim Murray on "They Call Me Assassin." More on the jump, plus Kevin Thomas on "The Tin Drum" for the opening of Filmex 80.

Posted in #Jim Murray, books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on ‘The Tin Drum’ Opens Filmex 80

Westbrook Pegler on F. Scott Fitzgerald

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 27, 1940: To most people living today, Westbrook Pegler is nothing more than a name – if that. His column on the death of F. Scott Fitzgerald will give you an idea of what he was like. “Peg” … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists | Comments Off on Westbrook Pegler on F. Scott Fitzgerald

Chargers Pick Coliseum Over Rose Bowl

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 4, 1960: The Los Angeles Chargers picked the Coliseum for their home over the Rose Bowl as plans for the American Football League's first season started to come together. Former Rams Coach Sid Gillman would bring his offensive … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Chargers Pick Coliseum Over Rose Bowl

Kennedy Pulls Even With Nixon in Poll

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 4, 1960: Nancy Sinatra greets Elvis! March 4, 1960: Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) pulls even with Vice President Richard Nixon – even though Kennedy is Catholic! (More on the jump). 

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Front Pages, health, JFK, Music, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | 1 Comment

A Letter of Defense

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Remember the editorial about the Japanese stranglehold on farmland? Here’s a response. More on the jump, plus Clare Briggs.

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Immigration | Comments Off on A Letter of Defense

Dallas Mob Throws Black Man From Courthouse Window, Drags Body 10 Blocks

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 4, 1910: As a judge watches, a mob seizes accused child molester Allen Brooks, an African American, and throws him from a second-story courtroom, then drags his body 10 blocks before hanging his body from an arch in … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 3, 1960

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

Pyrrhic Victory     This corner keeps advising motorists never to make a left turn because big boy blue may be watching you and you'll be wrong if you think you are right — but nobody pays attention.     There was … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 3, 1960