Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

October 5, 1909: Dies on Gold in a Filthy Cot

Posted on October 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 5, 1909: Richard Johnson Proctor, a penniless old character in Santa Ana, dies on a cot in a filthy room. Investigators discover he was wealthy man with a fortune in gold.

Posted in Obituaries | Comments Off on October 5, 1909: Dies on Gold in a Filthy Cot

Found on EBay – J.W. Robinson’s

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  This remarkable hat from J.W. Robinson’s, one of the upscale clothing stores in early Los Angeles, has been listed on EBay. The vendor says it’s in the original box. Bidding starts at $250.

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay – J.W. Robinson’s

Dear Readers

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

I have said this before, but it’s worth repeating. All comments on this blog must be approved. Note: A previous version of this post contained someone's IP number. The Daily Mirror erred in posting it.

Posted in Weblogs | Comments Off on Dear Readers

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 4, 1932, “The Blonde Venus” is opening at the Paramount. Oct. 8, 1932: Philip K. Scheuer reviews “The Blonde Venus.”

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

Orioles Beat Angels in First Playoff Game

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Angels played the first postseason game in their history, so why stop after nine innings? John Lowenstein hit a three-run pinch-hit home run to give the Baltimore Orioles Game 1 of the American League playoffs, 6-3. Lowenstein's opposite field … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Orioles Beat Angels in First Playoff Game

White Sox Joke About Coliseum Screen

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct 4, 1959: The screen. The White Sox got their first real look at the Coliseum and were less than impressed. Puzzled might be a better description. "I wonder how a fellow ever gets the side out. I guess … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers | Comments Off on White Sox Joke About Coliseum Screen

Black Sox Win Game 3

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 4, 1919: Cartoonist Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale on Game 3. Sept. 29, 1920: "It ain't true, is it, Joe?" "Yes, kid,  I'm afraid it is." The boys opened a path for the ballplayer and stood in silence until he … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Sports | Comments Off on Black Sox Win Game 3

Con Artists Add Movies to Their Repertoire of Tricks

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 4, 1909:  Con artists are switching from worthless gold mines and oil wells to motion pictures as a way to dupe victims.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on Con Artists Add Movies to Their Repertoire of Tricks

October 3, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Matt Weinstock writes of Steve Allen’s concerns about nuclear weapons and Edita Morris’ novel “The Flowers of Hiroshima.”

Posted in books, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on October 3, 1959: Matt Weinstock

October 3, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 3, 1959: Thelonious Monk leaves after playing two numbers at the Hollywood Bowl Jazz fest. Paul Coates says Mike Wallace decides not to have Aldous Huxley on his TV show because Huxley wasn’t well known. Huxley asked: “Mike Wallace? … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Paul Coates, Television | Comments Off on October 3, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Dodgers Return to L.A.

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 3, 1959: A big, enthusiastic crowd at the airport welcomes the Dodgers.

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Return to L.A.

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 3, 1931: “The Cisco Kid” and “Monkey Business.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

L.A. Welcomes Dodgers

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1959: The Dodgers return to Los Angeles for Game 3. "I've lived for this day," says Dickie Kerr, who pitched two winning games for the White Sox in the 1919 Black Sox World Series. "If they can win … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on L.A. Welcomes Dodgers

Black Sox Lose Game 2 of the World Series

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1919: The Black Sox lose Game 2 of the World Series. Almost criminal wild pitching by Lefty Williams and highway robbery that was ultra-sensational by the Reds beat Chicago's White Sox today in the second game of the … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Front Pages, Sports | 1 Comment

Cafe Orchestra Fiddles While Kitchen Burns

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1909: What the modern woman is wearing. $22.50 is $532.68 USD 2008. Here’s a bit of theater history: The Orpheum announces that it will no longer have advertising on its curtain, despite the loss in revenue of $500 … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Fashion, Food and Drink, LAPD, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Cafe Orchestra Fiddles While Kitchen Burns

October 2, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 2, 1959: “Thelonious Monk, who’ll be among those present at the Hollywood Bowl jazz festival tonight, is the composer of “Round About Midnight, in my opinion one of the finest mood pieces of recent years.”

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Mickey Cohen | Comments Off on October 2, 1959: Matt Weinstock

October 2, 1959: Paul V. Coates &ndash

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 2, 1959: Paul Coates says of Caryl Chessman: “Justice tripped over her own skirts in her hurry to get rid of him when he asked for his day in court.”

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on October 2, 1959: Paul V. Coates &ndash

Dodgers Win Game 2, 4-3

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 2, 1959: The Dodgers win Game 2, tying the series.

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Win Game 2, 4-3

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 2, 1930: Times employees honor workers who were killed in the 1910 bombing. "The Big Trail" opens in Los Angeles.

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

LAPD Honors Motorcycle Officers

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photoLos Angeles Police Department officers with Indian motorcycles, June 1917.  May 20, 1907: LAPD motorcycle officers arrest speeders. The speed limit downtown is 12 mph and 20 mph elsewhere. The speed limit at certain downtown intersections … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD | 1 Comment