Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Voices: Soupy Sales, 1926 – 2009

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  May 22, 1985: TV critic Howard Rosenberg interviews Soupy Sales: Once, when Tom Snyder noted in an interview that some of his detractors regarded him as "the Soupy Sales of the newsroom," Soupy replied: "Let me add there is … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off on Voices: Soupy Sales, 1926 – 2009

Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Clare Briggs, “When a Feller Needs a Friend.” Oct. 23, 1919: Harry Carr, one of The Times' best-known writers, files a series of vignettes from New York. He says that prohibition is lightly enforced and that it’s still easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, art and artists, classical music, Comics, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 23, 1909: The editor of the Antelope Valley Gazette is cleared on charges of pulling a gun on the editor of the Antelope Valley Ledger. It’s a nasty dispute involving a woman with a horsewhip who has bad … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Education | Comments Off on Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

October 22, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Brace Yourself   As you have read, Gov. Brown announced the other day that he was through with proclamation business.  Too much time and energy were expended, he said, in calling attention to such inspirational events as Don’t Race Your Motor … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on October 22, 1959: Matt Weinstock

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

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Paul is still on vacation … but he will be back. Oct. 22, 1959: He’s a man. He works hard. And he smells like a man who works hard.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 22, 1959

Cleaning Up L.A.’s Dirty Air

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

 The Mirror has three Page 1 stories about smog. Oct. 22, 1959: Anti-smog devices are available for cars starting with the 1961 model year.

Posted in Environment, Front Pages | Comments Off on Cleaning Up L.A.’s Dirty Air

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  William Bendix in “Kill the Umpire!” What? Not on Netflix? Oct. 22, 1949: “Pinky” gets a supportive review from Edwin Schallert. He calls the film a “fascinating, sometimes sentimental narrative with rare feeling.” It’s interesting how The Times indented … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Delay for Caryl Chessman

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 22, 1959: President Eisenhower transfers German rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun from Army jurisdiction to NASA. Luau anyone? The Dodgers submitted a map for their Chavez Ravine ballpark and some of the features were downright headline grabbers. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics | 2 Comments

Jealousy Leads to Murder and Suicide

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Zola Schmidt was  killed as she slept … while holding a letter from another man. 916 W. 9th, the scene of the crime. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Homicide, Music, Suicide | 4 Comments

Plaza Festival Celebrates Columbus Day

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  What the stalwart young lad is wearing. Oct. 22, 1909: Columbus Day is celebrated at the Plaza with a surprising array of ethnic groups. I’ve seen postcards of the Indian Village at Eastlake Park, but have never found out … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Fashion, Religion | Comments Off on Plaza Festival Celebrates Columbus Day

Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 21, 1959: African Americans are invited to the Arkansas Democratic Harmony Dinner – but they must sit at their own table.

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Politics | Comments Off on Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

October 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above and Beyond For sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty, a colleague asks a typographical paean for Jerry Leshay, associate director of the George Gobel TV program.  An associate director’s job is to make the show go.  Working … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on October 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

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

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Paul is still on vacation… Oct. 21, 1959: A cleaning lady who steals … a grandmother who gets hungry when she’s babysitting … and foreigners who brag.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 21, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 21, 1948: “Walk a Crooked Mile” is at the Pantages and the Hill Street.

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

Voices: Jack Nelson, 1929 – 2009

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

March 4, 1965: Jack Nelson covers a memorial for a civil rights demonstrator. Nelson wrote: "Dr. King declared that 'the man who pulled the trigger is a sick, hate-filled man.' But he added that 'what killed Jimmie Lee Jackson' was more … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Religion | Comments Off on Voices: Jack Nelson, 1929 – 2009

As Undercover Agent, Housewife Spied on Communists

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 21, 1959: Moiselle Clinger describes spying on Communists for the FBI. Truck driver Gordon Powell says he robbed a bank after losing work because of the steel strike. A new appeal seeks to block the execution of Caryl Chessman. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Nuestro Pueblo, Pasadena

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 27, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Pasadena for Nuestro Pueblo. Here’s a map of Japanese-owned businesses in Pasadena before World War II.  Note: The original run of Nuestro Pueblo concluded in 1939. I’m going back and … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Riot in Times Square Over Wagner Opera!

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 21, 1919: Servicemen and civilians riot in Times Square over a production of Richard Wagner's "Die Meistersinger" staged at the Lexington Theater despite Mayor John Francis Hylan’s ban on German opera!

Posted in #opera, classical music, Music, Stage | 1 Comment

Who Can Be an American Citizen?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 21, 1909: Johanna Engleman of Santa Monica still hopes to be a juror, but no attorney wants her on a case because the decision might be reversed. After all, she may not be qualified to serve as a juror! … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

October 20, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Memorable Speech Almost a week later, those who heard it are still tingling over H.C.(Chad) McClellan’s talk before the Rotary Club. McClellan, 62, L.A. paint company executive and onetime NAM president, organized and managed the U.S. exhibit in Moscow, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on October 20, 1959: Matt Weinstock