Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

How to Spoil a Husband

Posted on December 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 14, 1919: Dorothy Dix writes, Have you ever noticed this strange domestic phenomenon – that  all the good women seem to get the mean husbands and all the mean women appear to get the good husbands? Virtue apparently … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics | Comments Off on How to Spoil a Husband

Preparations for Aviation Week

Posted on December 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Navajo blankets from 1909. I’ll bet some were beauties.   Dec. 14, 1909: "One man, writing from a Nevada town, says he will have a flying machine ready with 36 propellers while several expect to fly from Southern California cities … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Transportation | Comments Off on Preparations for Aviation Week

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 13, 1950: Larry, 19-year-old son of Mary Martin, must have inherited her singing voice. He and Mary recorded “You’re Just in Love,” a tune from “Call Me Madam.” 

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Sid Gillman ‘Quits’

Posted on December 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 13, 1959: Sid Gillman is regarded as a football genius, a Hall of Fame coach with a bow tie whose disciples spread his offensive theories throughout the NFL. Back in 1959, however, he was just another unemployed coach. The … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Sid Gillman ‘Quits’

Birth Control OK, Billy Graham Says

Posted on December 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Scriptures say nothing that would bar responsible use of birth control, Billy Graham says. Dec. 13, 1959: I rarely republish The Times editorials because they are frequently embarrassing,  taking such positions as the U.S. doesn’t need a federal anti-lynching … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Religion | Comments Off on Birth Control OK, Billy Graham Says

Book Store Owners Arrested for Selling Radical Literature

Posted on December 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Oh, Man!” by Clare Briggs.   Unfortunately, Google maps street view is a little broken at the moment. The area of the Red International Book Shop, 508 S. Maple, is here. Dec. 13, 1919: The Times publishes three stories about … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, books, Comics | Comments Off on Book Store Owners Arrested for Selling Radical Literature

Three Accused of Fraud in Newspaper Contest

Posted on December 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 13, 1909: Los Angeles police detain three people accused of swindling the Ogden, Utah, Evening Standard in a publicity campaign. Ogden Mayor William Glassman, a part-owner of the  paper, says the suspects conspired to take a $300 prize … Continue reading →

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December 12, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Phone Troubles This week, as indignant citizens protested to the State Public Utilities Commission that they were being billed for phone calls they didn’t make, a young woman recently married, asked to have phone service started in the apartment where … Continue reading →

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December 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comment “Dear Paul– “Re your column in which you became confused over the use of the words ‘lay’ and ‘lie’ and settled by saying ‘get prone.’ ” ‘Lie’ would have been the correct word.  Intransitive, you know. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Paul Coates, Suicide | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 12, 1949: Cary Grant in “Crisis” … with the future Nancy Reagan? And look who else is in “Crisis!”

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

LoCigno Arraigned in Whalen Killing

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Darryl Kemp’s prints are found in Marjorie Hipperson’s apartment. “Yes, I’ll Leave Now!”   Dmitri Shostakovich gives some lumps to Louis Armstrong and Leonard Bernstein. Now you know what a Shamash is. A robe is $55 at Oviatt’s – that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Mickey Cohen, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 12, 1919: Publicist Albee Smith had a big story, but nobody ever found out what it was.

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Suicide | Comments Off on Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel

Illegal Living Conditions Found

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

  165 N. Utah St., the former Russian quarter, via Google Earth. Dec. 12, 1909: Health inspectors checking the Russian quarter find violations of the law requiring that people sleep in rooms with at least 500 cubic feet of air … Continue reading →

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December 11, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

L.A. Justice  As Ida Gutierrez, 44, a restaurant cashier, stepped from a 4 bus at Melrose and La Brea last Aug. 26 a woman who got off at the same time grabbed at a half-open package and excitedly accused her … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Food and Drink, LAPD, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on December 11, 1959: Matt Weinstock

December 11, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Youth Bought Death for Nickel a Game     I have never met a man who dropped $4,000 pitching pennies, but I guess it’s possible.  Because last week I talked to one who estimates that he has lost, in the past … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Paul Coates, Suicide | Comments Off on December 11, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 11, 1948: Deborah Kerr has gone to New York to do a final scene for "Edward My Son." It could not be shot here because Ian Hunter, who appears in the scene, can't leave his Broadway play. ”Strippers … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update – Signe Hasso, May 11, 1941. As most people realized, this is Signe Hasso, who died in 2002 at the age of 86.   Just a reminder on how this works: I post … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 37 Comments

Texas a Gateway for Drugs From Mexico, Officials Say

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Walter W. Williams, 117, the last living Civil War veteran, is in critical condition.   “Dear Jesus, I am writing to you instead of Santa because you are what Christmas is. I would like to say before we all forget … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Mickey Cohen, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Texas a Gateway for Drugs From Mexico, Officials Say

Man Dies in Treatment for Freckles

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Knox hats and caps at Alexander and Oviatt. Dec. 14, 1919: George Blaha was given a fatal dose of chloroform by his mother-in-law? Dec. 17, 1919: An unusually large amount of chloroform and carbolic acid was found in Blaha’s … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, health, Homicide | Comments Off on Man Dies in Treatment for Freckles

Hanukkah, 1909

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo Temple B’nai B’rith, Hope and 9th streets.      Dec. 11, 1909: “The Hanukkah teaches us to be true to our colors as a religious entity; to shield, protect and safeguard our spiritual heritage for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Religion | Comments Off on Hanukkah, 1909