Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 30, 1941: Frank Capra tried to show a print of his first film, "Fultah Fisher's Boarding House," and "found the film had completely disintegrated. He'll pay almost anything for another print," Hedda Hopper says … Hey, it's Trixie … Continue reading →

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Chief Says He Was Misquoted on Latinos

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Two youths are questioned in the killing of honor student Leonard Moore. Former homicide Detective Aldo Corsini dies at the age of 65. He handled many gruesome ax murders and poisonings of the 1930s and early 1940s and as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

The People and Their Troubles

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 30, 1920: I often wonder who came up with the headline “The People and Their Troubles.” Folks sure had them, though. Like Mrs. Beulah P. Porter, who was seeking a divorce and said her husband had bruised her … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Front Pages | Comments Off on The People and Their Troubles

Through the Lens – Aviation Meet

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo January 1910: Here’s a photo taken inside one of the tents that was erected at Dominguez Field to serve as a temporary hangar. According to the handwritten information on the back, the man at the … Continue reading →

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

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 29, 1960

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Monetary Crisis     An armored truck, the kind that picks up and delivers large sums of cash for banks and stores, stopped a few days ago at 1st and Main Sts.  The armed attendants got out and grimly … Continue reading →

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

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Here's a Fishy Story From Death Row        This is the story of a fish, but it's not a fish story.     It lives on San Quentin's Death Row.  It's a salt-water fish — possibly a smelt — about … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 29, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 29, 1940:  Akim Tamiroff tells Hedda Hopper it took him three months to learn how to use a bullwhip for scenes in “Union Pacific.”

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

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Eleanore Whitney! Information on the back of the photo, published May 16, 1937,  says: “Fanchon, Hollywood’s only woman producer, says that Eleanore Whitney has the loveliest ‘pout’ on the screen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Photography | 27 Comments

Councilman Criticizes Chief Over Views Toward Latinos

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Those Telegrams Were Fake.” Councilman Edward R. Roybal criticizes Police Chief William H. Parker over the alleged statement at a Jan. 26, 1960, civil rights hearing: "Some of these people [Mexican Americans] have been here since before we were … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, LAPD | Comments Off on Councilman Criticizes Chief Over Views Toward Latinos

Defense Witnesses Deny Racy Pranks by Borax King

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 29, 1920: "Mrs. Thorkildsen had previously testified that at the Worthington home Mr. Thorkildsen became intoxicated, broke a corner of the piano, smashed a number of wine glasses, tore the dress of the hostess, broke a statue … Continue reading →

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Police Commission to Select New Chief

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 29, 1910: The Times reports on possible candidates to replace Police Chief Edward F. Dishman, who was removed without explanation by the Police Commission on Jan. 25, 1910. Dishman was succeeded by Police Chief Alexander Galloway. Galloway … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on Police Commission to Select New Chief

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 28, 1960

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

Leap Year Pitch     For a while it appeared we might tiptoe into 1960 without arousing the usual corny, anachronistic nonsense about leap year and the girls chasing the boys, object matrimony.  No such luck.  The subject was merely dormant.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Downtown, Food and Drink, Homicide, Matt Weinstock, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 28, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 28, 1960

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

Petite Con Lady Now Flipping Owl Feathers     She's 70, at least.  She likes wide-brimmed owl-feather hats, bright chiffon scarves and Oriental necklaces.     She always wears these to compliment her outlandish 1920 outfits when she goes to pull a  … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, LAPD, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Jan. 28, 1939: Hedda Hopper writes a few lines about “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man.” She says the picture is right on schedule. Of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Hopper says: “No one can say Carole busted … Continue reading →

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

President Visits L.A.!

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

“It’s a Letter From Washington.” Jan. 28, 1960: ALGIERS (UPI) “Police and troops opened fire today on hundreds of Moslems who surged into the streets of the western Algerian city of Mostaganem shouting 'long live De Gaulle.' “The shooting was … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Front Pages, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | 1 Comment

Borax King Testifies

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 28, 1920: Borax king Thomas Thorkildsen changes color and acts as though he’s going to get off the witness stand and threaten his wife’s attorney during testimony in their divorce case.

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School for Shoplifters

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs.   Jan. 28, 1920: George Sutton is charged with teaching his wife and daughters how to shoplift. According to The Times, Sutton’s wife, Elsie, and daughters Dessie and Doretta would enter … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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