Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Sham, Shame and Sorrow

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 28, 1910: In an emotionally charged story, The Times tells of Mrs. Wilson, a woman unable to have children who collected four unwanted infants and passed them off as her own. In the courtroom where Judge … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on Sham, Shame and Sorrow

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 27, 1960

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Costly Wrong Number       Mrs. Margaret Guevara, 742 W 144th St., was going about her household chores the other day when her daughter Diana, 9, called, "Mommy,  a lady on the phone wants to talk to you."     The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Comics, LAPD, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 27, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 27, 1960

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Case of Go for Broke, Caryl Chessman Says      Caryl Chessman's legal fight to beat the gas chamber resumes tomorrow.       The 38-year-old senior statesman of San Quentin's Death Row (he's been there 11 1/2 years) returns to … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 27, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 27, 1965: Rex Harrison will star in a musical version of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” Hedda Hopper says. The movie was finally made with Peter O’Toole. 

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing. From left, Sgt. Danny Galindo as Officer Karl Hettinger;  Sgt. G.H. Bates as Officer Ian … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 27, 1960: A letter by the Finch family’s maid to her mother in Sweden recounts a conversation with victim Barbara Jean Finch:  “During the night, Dr. Finch tried to kill Mrs. Finch, who now absolutely wanted to have her … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Homicide, JFK, LAPD, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Nuestro Pueblo, Plummer Park

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

  View Larger Map    Sept. 23, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Plummer Park in Hollywood. The original run of Nuestro Pueblo ended in 1939, so I’m going back and picking up the ones I missed last year.

Posted in art and artists, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo, Parks and Recreation | 1 Comment

‘Borax King’ to Testify in Hot Divorce Trial

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

“I Know I Shall Go Mad Very Soon.” “Wonder What a German Dog Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 27, 1920: "Considerable time was taken up yesterday reading the deposition of Miss Henrietta Gant, one of the merry party last … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics | Comments Off on ‘Borax King’ to Testify in Hot Divorce Trial

Through the Lens: Aviation Meet

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo January 1910: A crowd of people watches an airplane (marked by the black arrow) from the roof of the Virginia Hotel in Long Beach.

Posted in Photography, Transportation | Comments Off on Through the Lens: Aviation Meet

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 26, 1960

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Patient's Prescription       A doctor who has been overworked treating flu patients came down himself the other day with the old virus.  He was home in bed, sniffing and coughing, when a woman patient phoned through his … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Countdown to Watts, LAPD, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 26, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 26, 1960

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Diana Barrymore was in love with Tennessee Williams and wanted to marry him, the Mirror's Earl Wilson says.  We Quiz Quiz Guy Who Blew $64,000       Al Einfrank isn't exciting news copy.  Not any more.     Three years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 26, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 26, 1964: Hedda Hopper’s profile of Evadne Baker was far more interesting than I expected. A quick check of imdb reveals that she died Jan. 17, 1995 … but wait. She was born Nov. 27, 1897? That would … Continue reading →

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Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nice headline – does that make the nun a college girl? And I guess Kennedy isn’t a headline name yet. Jan. 26, 1960: The trial of Dr. R. Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff in the killing of Barbara Jean … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, JFK, Obituaries, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Indian Leader Prefers Tribal Dances Over ‘Immoral Dances’ of Whites

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

“That Guiltiest Feeling,” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 26, 1920: "I would rather take part in the tribal dances of my people than the immoral dances of the white people today," Red Fox says. Jan. 26, 1920: A time capsule of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Religion | 1 Comment

Through the Lens – Aviation Meet

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by M.E. Rafert / Los Angeles Times The crowded grandstands at the Aviation Meet, January 1910.I can’t quite make out the wireless antenna that was supposed to be strung along the back of the stands. This is why I … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Transportation | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 25, 1960

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Endless Liquor Flow     Many years ago the mails were cluttered with a  nuisance chain letter called the Good Luck of London.  It was an anonymous, loosely written but harmless bit of nonsense vaguely promising riches to recipients who quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #Jazz, Columnists, Homicide, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 25, 1960

Paul Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 25, 1960

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Earthy language from Eva Marie Saint shocks Hollywood bash! It's Yo Ho Ho for Seafarer       The current national insanity for small boats, and its consequent problems, is nothing new to me, matey.     So avast, you lubbers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

It’s Walter Neff and Betty Schaefer in “Son of Flubber!” Jan. 25, 1963: Will somebody please send Hedda Hopper some Frostilla? Thank you!

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing with Sgt. G.H. Bates, left, as Officer Ian Campbell; Sgt. Danny Galindo, center, as Officer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1963, books, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 7 Comments

Horses vs. Streetcar

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Imagination Is the Only Real Thing in the World.”    A wagon drawn by runaway horses crashes into a streetcar, sending the wagon tongue through the side of the trolley and injuring passenger Howard Siebold. The horses, which were … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Transportation | Comments Off on Horses vs. Streetcar