Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Fire Roars Through Lumber Yard, Threatens Homes

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Dec. 20, 1909: A fire apparently started by a homeless person roars through a lumber yard and a factory that made doors and window sashes, spreading to an adjoining rooming house and a home. About 50 horses were … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 19, 1959

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  On Eucalyptus Trees     On a distinct hill, eucalyptus trees are things of beauty, particularly to roving artists, who depict them standing as graceful sentinels against the sky.  Up close as in your backyard, phooey!  In a strong wind … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 19, 1959

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment     (Form letter)  "Kind Friends —     "A joyous year of rich fulfillment to you all!     "A severely bitten hand (received when a frightened little dog at our shelter misunderstood my attempts to feed … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 19, 1956: Burl Ives, who played Big Daddy on stage in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" will repeat his characterization on screen. Burl has also been chosen by Don Hartman to play the father in Eugene O'Neill's … Continue reading →

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Writer Blacklisted by Mistake Clears His Name

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

    “Super-Sonic Hell Creatures No Weapons Can Destroy!” “The Killer Shrews” [What? Only 3 stars on imdb?]  and “The Giant Gila Monster” [2.8 stars on imdb?] now playing at the Avenue Drive-In in Downey!  And of course that Mr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Deceived Woman Kills Herself

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Beauty and everyday usefulness of aluminum utensils are bound to be appreciated. Dec. 19, 1919: Muriel McMunn kills herself after discovering that she was deceived into marrying a streetcar conductor who claimed to be an Army investigator and vanished shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Suicide | 1 Comment

On the Frontiers of Medicine

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Receiving Hospital cot where more than 600 died. Dec. 19, 1909: “Within a few days the old rubber-covered cot at the Receiving Hospital in the Central Police Station will be removed, and a new and more sanitary operating stand … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, health, LAPD | Comments Off on On the Frontiers of Medicine

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 18, 1959

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Code 3     Late one afternoon about two weeks ago, as Jack Fuller was driving past Pico Blvd. and Roxbury Dr., en route home from his job at the Hollywood office of civil defense, he saw a commotion inside the … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 18, 1959

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Captain Is Dedicated to Prisoners' Return     Capt. Eugene R. Guild, U.S. Army (ret.), has a few close friends in his home town of Glenwood Springs, Colo.     Townfolk shy away from him.  He's a distinguished looking man, clean … Continue reading →

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A Kinder Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 18, 1955: Hedda Hopper is named one of The Times’ Women of the Year!

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Daria Massey in a photo by Bernard of Hollywood. “Pretty 18-year-old Daria Massey, a former child actress in such films as ‘The Miracle of Fatima,’ ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ and ‘The Iron … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 40 Comments

Antiwar Film Premieres Around the World

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Stanley Kramer's “On the Beach” opens in 18 countries. "Linus Pauling, a Nobel Prize winner: 'It may be that someday we can look back and say 'On the Beach' is the picture that saved the world." The movie that … Continue reading →

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Location Sleuth — Update

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

The opening of “The High Sign.” Peter Mullan writes in, citing the research of John Bengtson, who suggests that the carousel used in “The High Sign” was at the Pike, a huge amusement park in Long Beach. I’m not sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Women Accused of Performing Abortions

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 19, 1916: Lila Atherton is arrested on charges of performing abortions at 2217 S. Hoover. Dec. 18, 1919: Abortions are again allegedly being conducted at 2217 S. Hoover. Dec. 20, 1919: Sarah J. Williams denies performing an abortion on … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | Comments Off on Women Accused of Performing Abortions

Man Accused of Decapitating Woman

Posted on December 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 18, 1909: The Times publishes a gruesome story from Chippewa Falls, Wis., about a man called “Crazy Ole” who is accused of shooting Mrs. Peter Shirley in the head and then decapitating her.  The woman’s 3-year-old daughter says: … Continue reading →

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December 17, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Forgotten Men As you probably read, film director, Joseph Von Sternberg has sued Fox for $1 million, charging the 1959 version of “The Blue Angel” with May Britt and Curt Jurgens was made without his consent and was inferior to … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

December 17, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

We Have Living Dead Living in Red China Historically, war is a cold fact of life. And one of its most terrifying aspects is that some men conscripted by their nations to fight are swallowed up and lost in its … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on December 17, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Dec. 17, 1954: Otto Preminger would like to team up Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge after “Carmen Jones,” but “Porgy and Bess” is tied up.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Gangster Killed in Ambush

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Gov. Brown cites a projected $70-million surplus, says he'll propose no new taxes. Fred Whalen admits hitting Tony Reno, who was sitting with Mickey Cohen at Rondelli's restaurant when Whalen's son, Jack, was killed.   Dean “The Love Bug” … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Homicide, Sports | Comments Off on Gangster Killed in Ambush

A Renaissance in Filmmaking

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  An ad for "Strictly Confidential" says, “Renaissance of Motion Pictures: Goldwyn has reclaimed the motion picture from the moneymaking mechanics of industry and restored it to its pedestal as one of the greatest arts. Masterful craftsmanship in direction, absolute … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Renaissance in Filmmaking