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 December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 23, 1960: “Mary Martin invited the sons and daughters of radio and TV writers to a rehearsal of ‘Peter Pan.’ They were assembled on stage and she flew down to greet them. ‘Why, you're a girl!’ said one … Continue reading →

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

San Marino Pelted With Furs From Mystery Airplane

Posted on December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 23, 1959: "Thousands of dollars worth of fur pelts were mysteriously jettisoned from a low-flying airplane over San Marino and San Gabriel yesterday. One large gunny sack of the valuable pelts crashes through a patio roof at 1070 Kendall … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Sports | 3 Comments

Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend Says He Was Insane

Posted on December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

A tip on decorating the Christmas tree, but don’t use candles. Harry S. New Jr. and his pet rattlesnake. I realize this is unreadable, but the headline is wonderful. Dec. 23, 1919: Harry S. New Jr., known as “Nutty New,” … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | Comments Off on Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend Says He Was Insane

Young Woman Plays a Somber Reverie, Then Kills Herself

Posted on December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 23, 1909 — Here’s a little more proof that the past wasn’t really a kinder, simpler time; there’s death in almost every line. Esther Bauer, 22, of San Francisco plays sad music at the piano before hanging herself … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | Comments Off on Young Woman Plays a Somber Reverie, Then Kills Herself

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 22, 1959

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  World Refugee Year     As she sorted out her memories on her return from a pleasure trip around the world many months ago, actress Marsha Hunt found herself deeply troubled by recollection of endless hordes of refugees in Hong … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Comics, Dodgers, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Dec. 22, 1959

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 22, 1959

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Payola Suspected in Fourth Grade     NEWS ITEM:  WESTBURY, N.Y., Dec. 21 — Teachers here have been warned against students who try to curry favor with "Christmas payola."     Supt. of Schools Cecil I. Rice sent teachers a memorandum indicating … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Nightclubs, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 22, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 22, 1959: “Frank Sinatra went to see the Pat Wymore show in Vegas and immediately signed her for ‘Oceans 11.’ ”

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

A Mystery Photo That Is Not Arnold Stang

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo I have been told that this mystery photo from 2007 has been circulating on the Internet as Arnold Stang. Notice that when I originally posted the photo I said “Hint:  He’s not Arnold Stang.” This … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Mystery Photo | Comments Off on A Mystery Photo That Is Not Arnold Stang

Firefighters Set Blazes to Draw Attention to Old Equipment

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  NEW QUEEN — The shah of Iran and bride Farah pose after their marriage in a Muslim ritual at his palace in Tehran. She is third wife of the shah, who divorced others after they failed to bear an heir. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Firefighters Set Blazes to Draw Attention to Old Equipment

51 Held in Gambling Raids

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “Oh, Man” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 22, 1919: Detectives with the help of the “purity squad” raid several fan tan games and arrest 51 people. Notice the detectives’ names, especially that of McAfee, who is the infamous Guy McAfee.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Pastor Accused of Stealing Church Funds, Eloping With Choir Member

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1909: I had a difficult time picking a story this morning because the entire page is fascinating. First there’s the pastor from a small town in Indiana who is accused of stealing money from his church and eloping with … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, health, LAPD, Religion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 21, 1959

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Death in December     The National Safety Council has focused its apprehension this Christmas on the office party.  Before me as I write this is its Drinking and Driving Fact Sheet, a sobering document.    It begins, "During 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Matt Weinstock, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 21, 1959

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Tokyo Rose Story Stirs Up Little Ire     If you're a newspaperman, it's nice to stay in the good graces of your readers.  But it's not essential.     There's no hard-and-fast rule in journalism that the customer is always … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Dec. 21, 1958: Jeffrey Hunter says of making “The Last Hurrah”: “Working with Spencer Tracy was great. Some of the most telling scenes between me and my wife, played by Diane Foster, had to be cut out in editing … Continue reading →

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Christmas 1608

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  "The General Historie of Virginia, New England and the Summer Islands," on display at the Huntington Library. "Sleeping in his boat, accidentallie one fired his powder bag, which tore the flesh from his body and thighes, nine or ten … Continue reading →

Posted in books, broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

Voices – Erich von Stroheim

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 21, 1919: Edwin Schallert profiles Erich von Stroheim and talks about his new film, "Blind Husbands."  “Everything Stroheim does is [characterization]; he can't talk to you for five minutes without starting to act.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Officials Seek Location for Aviation Meet

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 21, 1909: The racetrack at Santa Anita is eliminated as a place for the aviation meet because there are too many trees. “The site which appears to meet with most favor is on the Pacific Electric and … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1957: (While Miss Hopper is away, column is being compiled by her staff). Preston Sturges is in Paris writing a screenplay on the most fabulous swindler of our era, F. Donald Coster. Story is based on New Yorker … Continue reading →

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Last Civil War Veteran Dies at 117

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1959: “Peanuts” characters not only discuss Christmas, but they go to church.     W.N. Chandler decorates his home at 13060 Otsego St. for Christmas. 13060 Otsego St., Sherman Oaks, via Google maps’ street view. “What do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Front Pages, Obituaries, Politics, Religion, Sports | 2 Comments

Prison for Drunk Driving

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Dome Cafe has a New Year’s dance contest!   Dec. 20, 1919: People convicted of drunk driving may go to prison, starting Jan. 1, 1920.

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Prison for Drunk Driving