Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Found on EBay – Olga Nethersole

  Olga Nethersole in an undated postcard for sale on EBay. Olga Nethersole in “Sapho,” Jan. 1, 1907. “Nethersole has the most seductive of voices” … Notice the ad for a Times brochure about its fight against unions, “revised, clarified, … Continue reading

Posted in Obituaries, Stage | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Olga Nethersole

Matt Weinstock, Nov. 24, 1959

  Hey, it’s our old pal T.C. Jones!      He's a Go Boy     For reasons which are inscrutable, the gentlemen in charge of traffic lights are tilting and putting blinders on them so that motorists cannot see the ones to … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

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

  Face It; Aren't You Just a Mite Rigged?     Sit down.     No.  Better yet, lie down.  Or is it lay down?     Anyway, get prone.  Tuck a pillow under your head if it'll help relieve that nervous tension … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Paul Coates, Television | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Nov. 24, 1961: “After the picture, we stepped into Jackie Gleason's Rolls-Royce, which he'd loaned us for the occasion, and drove to El Morocco for a bite to eat. There Hollywood producer Cubby Broccoli told me he will start … Continue reading

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

L.A. Disc Jockeys Turn Down Payola

Nov. 24, 1959: KMPC’s Dick Whittinghill turned down $25, but says “I can’t sit in front of the chimney on Christmas Eve with a shotgun.” Bachelor Johnny Grant says he was offered “favorable attention from a young woman.” Robert Lee … Continue reading

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Synagogues Plan Fundraising Campaign to Aid Needy

Thanksgiving marks the opening of the social season and men may need a new dress suit. Nov. 24, 1919: Three synagogues plan a fundraising campaign to help victims of war and pogroms. It’s interesting to note that there was a … Continue reading

Posted in Fashion, Religion | Comments Off on Synagogues Plan Fundraising Campaign to Aid Needy

An Expensive Thanksgiving Turkey

  Adjusted for inflation, these turkeys cost $5.92 a pound, USD 2008. Nov. 24, 1909: Pompey Smith,  identified as an African American, refuses to leave jail when his term is up because he wants to be exonerated. A judge tells … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Nov. 23, 1959

  Adrift in the City       A bellboy, 25, was in municipal court a few days ago charged with impersonating an officer.  His arrest grew out of an argument in a saloon when the bartender refused to sell him … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Nov. 23, 1959

  Note: Standards have changed since Paul Coates used "wetback" in this column 50 years ago. Today, words like this are acceptable in The Times only if they appear in a quote and then, only after consultation with top editors. … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Education, Front Pages | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Nov. 23, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Nov. 23, 1960:  “Had a few days in New York while homebound from Europe so took in Lucille Ball's show 'Wildcat' in Philadelphia. It makes you laugh and cry and when it reaches Broadway it'll take this old town … Continue reading

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Injured Diver Dies After Falling From Rescue Helicopter

“Mary and Pete Are Reunited.”   Skin diver Harold B. Gavenman dies after a tragic series of accidents in which he was struck by a boat propeller and fell 100 feet while being lifted to a rescue helicopter. Nov. 23, … Continue reading

Posted in books, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Stage | 2 Comments

Police Unable to Stop Rising Tide of Auto Thefts

  As the country went dry, companies offered a way for people to brew their own alcohol.  Remember, beer is a health drink!      Nov. 23, 1919: “Motor car thefts are increasing and will continue to increase until some … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Transportation | Comments Off on Police Unable to Stop Rising Tide of Auto Thefts

Smoking Restricted on Streetcars

    Nov. 23, 1909: A law regulating smoking on streetcars goes into effect. From now on, smokers must take the rear seats of the cars.

Posted in health, Transportation | Comments Off on Smoking Restricted on Streetcars

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

  Nov. 22, 1959 — Myrna Fahey says: “I was Zorro’s girlfriend Maria at a time when they felt it a good idea to have the idol of all the kids feel tender toward someone other than his horse.”

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Nov. 22, 1963

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Politics | 2 Comments

Seniors Make Foolish Marriages, Judge Says

“A Pathetic Scene on the Nineteenth,” by Clare Briggs Nov. 22, 1919: A judge trying a divorce case between a 55-year-old woman and her 67-year-old husband says: "I wish you would keep your old folks down in Long Beach from … Continue reading

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China Offers Great Market for U.S., Diplomat Says

Florence Newmark marries Sylvain Kauffman at 903 Beacon Ave. Nov. 22, 1909: Former Judge J.C. McNally, the U.S. consul to Nanjing, "expressed optimistic views of the commercial future of China and said that the country would be a network of … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, art and artists, travel | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Dodgers

  This Dodger pennant – made after the 1959 World Series but before the opening of Dodger Stadium – has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Dodgers

November 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock, Nov. 21, 1959

Car Troubles Two years ago, Bob Joseph bought a two-cylinder French Panhard, which has positively no area in front for a license plate.  He has been driving it with only the rear plate. On consecutive days recently he received two … Continue reading

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

    Mash Notes and Comment     "Mr. Paul Coates, dear friend:     "About 2 1/2 months ago you called me at 12 a.m. and asked me if I could tell you who was President in 1875.     "I didn't … Continue reading

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