Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Food Poisoning Kills 9

Jan. 5, 1910: A manly man car, built for a Russian prince. A clean, dainty electric for the ladies. “Any girl could learn to operate the Baker after 30 minutes’ instruction…. Moves like a drifting cloud.”   Jan. 5, 1910: … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages, Transportation | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 4, 1960

       Contest With Clam     A friend  of a friend who had gone clamming near Pismo Beach asked Viola Swisher, "Would you like a clam?"  Viola, who covers ballet for the drama department and loves steamed clams and … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 4, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 4, 1960

'Blacklist' Charge Brings an Answer     The controversy over Hollywood's real or fancied "blacklist" has had more than a decade to smolder down to embers, but it's still burning.     The issue is kept alive by extremists.  But occasionally, it's … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates, Religion, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 4, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

   Jan. 4, 1942: Hedda Hopper says Irving Berlin is working on a patriotic song, “We’ll Remember Pearl Harbor.” The tune should not be confused with “Remember Pearl Harbor” by Sammy Kaye and Don Reid.   

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

Nixon Flight Sets Record

Aided by a strong tailwind, the American Airlines 707 carrying Vice President Nixon makes the trip from Los Angeles to Washington-Baltimore Friendship Airport in 3 hours, 39 minutes, a new record for a commercial aircraft.     Jan. 4, 1960: … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Nixon Flight Sets Record

Police Raid Cult Headquarters

  “When Doc Rides and When He Walks.”  March 14, 1927, Peter the Hermit  learns some dance steps. Jan. 4, 1920: During a police raid on the Mazdaznan temple, "an old, queer looking man, attired in blonde whiskers, long frock … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Obituaries, Religion | 1 Comment

Aviator Not Worried About Wright Brothers’ Suit

Warren and Frank Eaton work on the Eaton-Twining monoplane at Chutes Park as Edgar S. Smith watches. Hillery Beachey and an assistant look over the Gill-Dosh biplane at the official Aviation Week garage, 7th and Los Angeles streets. Jan. 4, … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Transportation | Comments Off on Aviator Not Worried About Wright Brothers’ Suit

On the Radio Dial

   Jan. 3, 1960: Don Page, The Times' longtime radio critic, compiled end of the year lists that ran at the start of the next year about the bests in L.A. radio. So I compared the columns from 1960 and … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Rock 'n' Roll | 5 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 3, 1941: Hedda Hopper quotes predictions for the year from her “old friend Dareos.” Sample: “America will make terrific strides in all kinds of war machinery, especially radio-controlled airplanes and the death ray. And around the middle of … Continue reading →

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

Kennedy Makes It Official

If elected, Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) , 42, would be the second-youngest president (after Theodore Roosevelt) and the first Roman Catholic in the White House, The Times says.  Vice President Nixon has no comment on Sen. Kennedy’s announcement. Jan. … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, JFK, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Kennedy Makes It Official

Pasadena Jazz Hall a Nuisance, Neighbors Say

“Wonder What a 20 Months Old Baby Baby Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs. 333 Summit Ave., Pasadena, via Google maps' street view. Jan. 3, 1920: Capt. Jack, 85, walks on water and says anybody can do it if they practice … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, Comics, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Pasadena Jazz Hall a Nuisance, Neighbors Say

San Gabriel Man Found Naked, Slashed to Death; Couple Held

  Jan. 3, 1910: The slashed, naked body of Morgan Shiveley, a streetcar conductor, is found face-down in the mud several hundred yards from his home at Broadway and San Gabriel Boulevard in San Gabriel. George A. and Clara Stone, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 2, 1960

More Quaint Quotes     The quaint quotes of former S.F. County Supervisor James McSheehy ("The handwriting on the wall is as clear as a bell") were uncorked here recently with the comment that no such language mangler has been uncovered … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 2, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 2, 1960

  Mash Notes and Comments "Dec. 22, 1959       "to Paul Coats,     "Paul I am enclosing a sixty dollar money order I wrote out to myself which I want you to hold for me.  My old girl friend of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Paul Coates, Politics | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Jan. 2, 1940: Hedda Hopper on what makes Clark Gable an enduring movie star.

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

Kennedy to Enter Presidential Race

  Jan. 2, 1960: Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) is expected to declare himself a candidate in the 1960 presidential race.

Posted in JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Kennedy to Enter Presidential Race

Police Raid Gambling Operation

“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 →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, LAPD | Comments Off on Police Raid Gambling Operation

City Council Leaves Office After Three Years

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

  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 →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 1, 1960

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

  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 →

Posted in Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential file, Jan. 1, 1960