Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Police Raid Gambling Operation

Posted on January 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

“When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs. Monsieur De Conde and Miss Burdette, specializing  in "The Apache!" Jan. 2, 1920: Detectives sneak up the stairs at 708 N. Alameda St. and use the Chinese phrase for “open the … Continue reading →

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City Council Leaves Office After Three Years

Posted on January 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Times profiles four airplanes that will take part in the upcoming Aviation Meet: the Curtiss and Farman biplanes and the Bleriot and Antoinette monoplanes. Jan. 2, 1910: The entire Los Angeles City Council leaves office after three years. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Politics, Transportation | Comments Off on City Council Leaves Office After Three Years

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 1, 1960

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  This Too Shall Pass     It is the moment for looking hopefully ahead.     Most people don't ask much, just a fair break and a few improvements in manners, a little more consideration in traffic and maybe a sound … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential file, Jan. 1, 1960

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Extermination for 19-Year-Old Son     This is the story of a murderer — a cop-killer.     He's 19 years old.  His name is Alexander Robillard.  On Aug. 5, 1959, he pumped six bullets into Officer Gene Doran of the … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Hedy Lamarr, glamour girl of 1938. Hedda Hopper says: "Jack Barrymore gave us the surprise of the year. His performance in 'Hold That Co-Ed' was so brutally and effectively true that it definitely killed the run of all those … Continue reading →

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This May 18, 1929, photo turned out to be more complicated than I realized. These are the Gale sisters, two sets of identical twins. The sisters changed their last name from Gilmartin and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 40 Comments

Predictions for Presidential Race

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Who Will Be Elected President in November?” Our future president hosts the warm-up to the Rose Parade! Vice President Richard Nixon, the Rose Parade grand marshal, with Rose Queen Margarethe Bertelson and her court at Wrigley mansion. Pat Nixon is … Continue reading →

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Laguna Beach Greeter at Rose Parade

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 1, 1967: Eiler Larsen, the Laguna Beach Greeter, says of hippies — “They will fade and I will last because I have goals and this ability to make friends no matter where I am.”   Jan. 2, 1970: … Continue reading →

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Death Row Brawl Over Watching Rose Parade on TV

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Fifty years after Ezra Meeker and his team of oxen were in the Rose Parade, a float features a team of oxen pulling a covered wagon. A Death Row brawl over watching the Rose Parade. Jan. 2, 1960: After … Continue reading →

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Portrait of the City

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 1, 1920: “Long ribbons of automobiles of all sorts and conditions enter the business sections and disappear in the neighborhood parking stations and garages. The banks open their doors, the stores become filled with employees and customers. Activity everywhere. … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off on Portrait of the City

Glorious Southern California!

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

    “He who thinks that the Southland's many miles of smooth automobile roads penetrating every beauteous section have relegated the alpenstock to the reverent care of the antiquarian is mistaken. In case you doubt me ask any member of … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Glorious Southern California!

Rose Parade Photos

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 1, 1960: The Mirror features the winning entries in the Rose Parade. Long Beach takes the sweepstakes prize with a float titled “International Beauty — Venus de Milo.” The grand prize went to Occidental Life Insurance Co. for … Continue reading →

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Los Angeles County Plans Nation’s Finest Highway System

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 1, 1910: The Autoist’s Paradise. On Jan. 1, The Times published its annual Midwinter Edition. One of the articles featured plans for an extensive new system of highways that would benefit ranchers shipping goods to market,    motor vehicles … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off on Los Angeles County Plans Nation’s Finest Highway System

Rose Parade Photos

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a float entered by Pasadena High School. Ezra Meeker and his wagon, pulled by a team of oxen, appear in the Rose Parade. An electric car in the Rose Parade. The Times' Harry Carr writes a … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Rose Parade Photos

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 31, 1959

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Modern Shepherd It is an era of compulsions.  Apparently everyone has had them all along but now it’s considered not only proper but fashionable to express them, no matter in what murky paths they lead. Publicist Doris Hellman, for instance, … Continue reading →

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December 31, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

So We Call Them as We See Them, Sort Of (News item)   CHICAGO, Dec. 30 — Wilbur Geoffrey Gaffney, associate professor of English from the University of Nebraska, today revealed the results of a 10-year study on the significance of … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 31, 1942: "Woman substituted for man power on the "Coney Island" set the other day when one of the boys in a dance sequence was ordered to his draft board instead of his studio. Starlet Vanita Wade … Continue reading →

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Monkey Business on ‘Inherit the Wind’ Set

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Sheriff John covers preparations for the Rose Parade!   Dr. Charles F. Sebastian dies, Sept. 4, 1971. You may recall him from the Harry Raymond bombing. The Central Receiving Hospital was replaced by the Rampart Division station, shown by … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Obituaries, Sports | Comments Off on Monkey Business on ‘Inherit the Wind’ Set

Cult Leader Accused of Molesting Children

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life,” by Clare Briggs.      Dec. 31, 1919: Ottoman/Othoman Zar-Adusht Hanish, "little master" of the sun worshiping Mazdaznan cult, arrives in Los Angeles. He is accused of "revolting offenses against … Continue reading →

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Man’s Skull Fractured in Assault

Posted on December 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Dec. 31, 1909: Former stockbroker Henry SO. Clark  is hospitalized after hitting his head on the pavement at Spring and 9th streets when a man struck him for talking to his wife. 

Posted in Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Man’s Skull Fractured in Assault