Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

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 →

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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

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 10, 1959

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Christmas Story It's about that time again so, as the saying goes, let's see if we can jerk a few tears.     A couple with four children have been in serious financial difficulty since the father was injured recently and … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 10, 1959

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Creative Writing as Created in Flackdom     Tributes have been made to outstanding individuals in just about every field of endeavor, but nobody has ever come out to honor the hard working press agent.    That's why I'm here today. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Mickey Cohen, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 10, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Dec. 10, 1947: Peggy Cleary's restaurant, Talk O’ the Town, gets plenty of talk, especially on Wednesday nights when she shows old pictures. Last week "The Covered Wagon" was shown there and had the crowds roaring. The screen … Continue reading →

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Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Whalen Killing

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mickey Cohen says: "I'm a lover, not a fighter." Sandy Hashagen says going steady with Mickey Cohen for 14 days gave her a police record and cost her a job as a dancer in Las Vegas.. Adjusted for inflation, these … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #opera, classical music, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Sports | Comments Off on Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Whalen Killing