Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Predictions for the 1960s

Posted on December 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 27, 1959: The Times leads with the Nixon-Rockefeller story.    Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) expresses strong support for Nixon.   Times Political Editor Kyle Palmer, as to be expected, is all for Nixon.   Nixon calls for job training … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Predictions for the 1960s

Angeles Ship Launched

Posted on December 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “Wonder What a Man Window-Shopping Things About?” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 27, 1919: The Angeles, an 8,800-ton cargo ship, is launched at the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. 

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Transportation | Comments Off on Angeles Ship Launched

Minister Vanishes After Predicting Christ’s Return on Christmas Day

Posted on December 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 27, 1909: A mob in Hurley, Va., lynches Henry Pennington after he killed Samuel Baker, who was on his way to a Christmas program with his family. Pennington had run away, but Baker’s wife tricked him into coming back … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD | Comments Off on Minister Vanishes After Predicting Christ’s Return on Christmas Day

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 26, 1959

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Paper in a Trash Pile     Another frantic call came into the county sanitation office the other day.  This time it was a woman on the west side excitedly reporting she'd inadvertently discarded her divorce papers in the trash can.  … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 26, 1959

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Tipping Tip: Don't Forget Your Barber     As we approach the turn of a new decade, the soundest advice I can offer you for a long, full life is never lie to your doctor or your lawyer.     And above … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 26, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 26, 1963: “I was horrified by ‘The Victors,’ from which I expected so much. It's the last picture in the world you'd want to see this season. I'm amazed at Carl Foreman, who wrote 'River Kwai' and 'Guns … Continue reading →

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Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo   Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the answer on Friday … or on Saturday if I have a hard time picking only five … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 35 Comments

Predictions for 1975

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

“All That Is Behind You, Darling.” Dec. 26, 1959: Somehow, the forecasters failed to predict the energy crisis, leisure suits and disco.  Cardinal McIntyre celebrates Mass at St. Vibiana’s.   “The Bells of Bethlehem” by Aimee Semple McPherson (d. 1944) … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Religion | Comments Off on Predictions for 1975

Hips Are Coming Back!

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

   “When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs.   Dec. 26, 1919: New York is on the verge of another police scandal, The Times’ Harry Carr writes and hips are coming back. “I did not know that hips … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Fashion, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Hips Are Coming Back!

Fliers Spend Christmas Overhauling Planes for Aviation Week

Posted on December 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Frances Nordstrom stars in “The Girl of the Golden West” at the Burbank.     View Larger Map 7th and Los Angeles Streets, via Google maps’ street view. Dec. 26, 1909: Fliers work on their airplanes on Christmas at the official … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD, Stage, Transportation | Comments Off on Fliers Spend Christmas Overhauling Planes for Aviation Week

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 25, 1959

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Ribbing St. Nick     In December, 1823, Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) wrote a poem titled "A Visit From St. Nicholas" which, as everyone knows, began: 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Dec. 25, 1959

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 25, 1959

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment     "Dear Paul,     "Following is a little Christmas spirit I dreamed up while writing the Keely Smith-Louis Prima show here in Las Vegas:     "A WESTERN    CHRISTMAS " 'Twas the night before    ChristmasAnd … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 25, 1962: "To Harold Lloyd, Christmas has always been a great feast at home. The mammoth tree stands in a high, vaulted room, the center of the family gathering. But Lloyd has been away a great deal this … Continue reading →

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Christmas, 1959

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Dec. 25, 1959: City Hall is lighted, as usual, for Christmas. The tradition was discontinued in the 1970s after a long court battle.

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Christmas, 1919

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Harry Carr writes: “Christmas in New York this year is to all practical purposes a giant shell game. Modern civilization has never seen its parallel for vulgar, wild extravagance.” Dec. 25, 1919: John D. Rockefeller gives $100 million [$1.2 … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Food and Drink | Comments Off on Christmas, 1919

Christmas Day, 1909

Posted on December 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 25, 1909: Food and Christmas trees for the needy, church services and auto racing at Ascot Park with Barney Oldfield.

Posted in Food and Drink, Religion, Sports | Comments Off on Christmas Day, 1909

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 24, 1959

Posted on December 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A Christmas Story     Forty-one years ago a young attorney named Patrick J. Cooney came to Calexio from Chicago.  One of his first clients was Jimmy Wong, who had 5,000 acres in cotton on the Mexican side of the … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 24, 1959

Posted on December 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A Christmas Carol of Olden Day, 1959     The stockings are hung, the scented evergreen gaily adorned and the eggnog's about gone, so gather 'round the hearth, children, while I tell you a Yuletide tale of yore.     It … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | 3 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 24, 1961: Bobby Darin says,  "If I were a drinker I wouldn't have to come out like a blockbuster. But I don't drink and come on in a nightclub cold sober to entertain a crowd that's invariably high. … Continue reading →

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

Random Shot – Amelia Earhart, 1936

Posted on December 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo I recently went through The Times’ photographs from Amelia Earhart’s 1937 flight; the one on which she disappeared. I think this is one of my favorites. She’s posing with the airplane as it’s being built … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Transportation | Comments Off on Random Shot – Amelia Earhart, 1936