Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 3, 1960

Let Us Consider Case of Robert Martinez        Robert Martinez, I met by degrees.     There was the first letter from him six weeks ago.  In spelling that was hampered by the fact that he never got beyond the eighth … Continue reading

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The Eagles, March 3, 1980

 Eagles drummer Don Henley at the Forum. March 3, 1980: Robert Hilburn reviews the Eagles’ first local appearance in more than three years … Also on the bill, Roy Orbison. 

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Hedda Hopper, March 3, 1939

March 3, 1939: On the jump, Carole Lombard in “Made for Each Other” and Hedda Hopper on who’s dating whom. Is that a new fellow for Marlene Dietrich?

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He Might Have Been the Next O.J. Simpson

March 3, 1970: Coverage of the Dodgers' 1970 spring training included several stories about the organization's young talent, but 19-year-old prospect Bobby Valentine, who chose the Dodgers and baseball over USC and football, received a higher level of praise.

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on He Might Have Been the Next O.J. Simpson

Chessman to Die May 2

  Charlie Neal, right, is on the receiving end as four aspirants try out for the Dodger shortstop starting position. They are, from left, Don Zimmer, Bob Aspromonte, Bobby Lillis and Maury Wills. March 3, 1960: James Kendrick, top, reenacts … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Dodgers, Homicide | Comments Off on Chessman to Die May 2

Baptismal Records Hold Evidence in Suit Over Pioneer’s Estate

   March 3, 1920: I’m sure the concept of this ad seemed fine. But we have a slightly malevolent fellow spilling grease that turns into a highway. Maybe that’s why we don’t hear much about Gredag these days. On the … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Comics, Environment, Film, Hollywood, Transportation | 2 Comments

Everyone Can Find Prostitutes Except the LAPD

  March 3, 1910: Everybody in Los Angeles can find the city’s brothels – except the police, The Times says. Especially that place at 316 1/2 S. Spring St. There’s more on the jump, plus the crazy “Pawnshop Wife” … … Continue reading

Posted in Downtown, LAPD | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, March 2, 1960

Pity the Candidate     Now it's time for all good men to come to the aid of the poor, frustrated candidates, trying to hack out a platform that will please almost everyone, offend hardly anyone.     It can't be done, … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 1-2, 1960

Newcomers to U.S. Learn of Clippolas     The Govaars family's introduction to the uniquely American art of the gimmick ad came last August in the form of a small handbill on their front doorstep.     The handbill extolled the quality … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates, Religion | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 1-2, 1960

‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’

  March 2, 1980: Charles Champlin reviews “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” "The musical biography by now has a pattern as fixed as a traditional 12-bar blues. It is just that some blues are better than others, and so are some musical … Continue reading

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Hedda Hopper, March 2, 1938

  March 2, 1938: "When white was the vogue, Pierre changed his apartment to black, where he gave me a swell party before I sailed for Europe on the Queen Mary," Hedda Hopper says. 

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Fiery Train Wreck Kills 17

The San Francisco Santa Fe Chief smashes into an oil tank truck and trailer 12 miles west of Bakersfield. March 2, 1960: Gov. Pat Brown gives up hope that the California Legislature will abolish the death penalty …  and Elvis … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Fiery Train Wreck Kills 17

Times Advocates Importing Chinese Workers for Menial Jobs

  “It Happens in the Best-Regulated Families,” by Clare Briggs.   March 2, 1920: People – especially women – are drawn by a live model who stands perfectly still in a display window at Harris & Frank’s shop on Spring … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Immigration | Comments Off on Times Advocates Importing Chinese Workers for Menial Jobs

Higgins Building to Add Two Floors

  March 1, 1910:  Thomas Higgins is adding two floors to his building at 2nd and Main streets. A century later, downtown hipsters will thank him! On the jump, police make a terrible blunder in putting officers in Chinatown back … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, March 1, 1960

Way Out Walkout     A great many people walked out on Miles Davis and John Coltrane, two great men of music they had primarily come to see and hear, at last Saturday's jazz concert at Shrine Auditorium, thereby provoking a … Continue reading

Posted in #Jazz, Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Politics, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 1, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  March 1, 1960: Hedda Hopper writes about Claude Rains’ 60 years in show business.

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‘We Don’t Want the Pope Running the Country’

“I’d Like to Examine This Young Woman!”   March 1, 1960: Samuel Lubell focuses on Vice President Richard Nixon in his survey of Southern voters and dismisses Democrats' chances, but there's a more complicated portrait of the South buried a … Continue reading

Posted in Comics, Countdown to Watts, Film, Hollywood, Politics | Comments Off on ‘We Don’t Want the Pope Running the Country’

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 29, 1960

Bringing Up Beverly; by Mother Aadland     While the rest of you were idly accomplishing a variety of things over the week end, I was interviewing Mrs. Florence Aadland.     Mrs Aadland, mother of Beverly, protege of the late Errol … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Mickey Cohen, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 29, 1960

Kennedy and Catholicism

  Note: For quite a while, the Daily Mirror has been clicking along in perfect synchronization with the past. Mondays were Mondays and Fridays were Fridays. No more, because 1960 was a leap year and 2010 isn't. Feb. 29, 1960: … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Hollywood, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon | 1 Comment

Ultimate Baby Einstein? Sperm Bank Specializes in Nobel Winners

Look! It’s a Trash 80 with 64K RAM and an 8-inch floppy drive for only $3,450 [$8,902.02 USD 2008]. Feb. 29, 1980: Let’s see … a sperm bank of Nobel-winning scientists. These children should be at least 30 now.Wonder what … Continue reading

Posted in Immigration, Science, Web/Tech | Comments Off on Ultimate Baby Einstein? Sperm Bank Specializes in Nobel Winners