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

  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. 

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Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

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

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

  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

“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

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

    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

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

  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

  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

“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

 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

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 →

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Paul Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 25, 1960

  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

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

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The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

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

  “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

Through the Lens – Aviation Meet

 Here is another original photo of the 1910 Aviation Meet that I found in The Times’ archives. The contrast of horses and airplanes at the meet always amazes me. It’s hard to read the writing on the back of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Transportation | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 24, 1962: Hedda Hopper says Buster Keaton's going to tour Germany, Austria and Switzerland with some of his films and gives another slam to Charlie Chaplin … and Marilyn Monroe is getting ready to do “Something’s Got to … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Nixon Leads Kennedy in Poll

There’s no credit on this photo, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it were a Delmar Watson shot. The Alexandria Hotel’s Palm Room has been converted to a gym as boxers Jose Becerra and Battling Torres train for bouts at … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Nixon Leads Kennedy in Poll