Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1940: Hedda Hopper writes about Marjorie Rambeau, one of our former mystery guests! Los Angeles Times file photo Marjorie Rambeau in "The Night Duel," 1926.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

U.S. Tightens Border; DiMaggio and the Angels?

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1969: The U.S. tightens inspections at the border as part of Operation Intercept. And hippies gather at Griffith Park. Akron had everything for the swinging bachelor pad — including armor. Al Capp satirized all sorts of people and … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Parks and Recreation, Sports | 1 Comment

George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again II

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Most Evil,” Page 190, photos shown to support Stevel Hodel’s contention that his father was Zodiac. I turned on the computer this morning, made a pot of coffee and cracked open Steve Hodel’s “Most Evil.” And I sighed. For anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in books, LAPD | 18 Comments

Bullet Claims an Innocent Victim

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1919: "The Vigilantes" is playing at the Victory Theater, 838 S. Broadway. Sept. 22, 1909: Nicolas Rodriguez is killed when a bullet ricochets several times and strikes him as he rides his bicycle near 3rd Street and Traction … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Bullet Claims an Innocent Victim

Women Arrested for Dressing as Men

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Being a hobo is one thing, but dressing up as a man is something else! Sept. 22, 1909: As there are laws prohibiting women from masquerading in men's clothes and he recognized Mrs. Gunn has having been taken in custody … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Women Arrested for Dressing as Men

George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Someone, I'm not sure who, left a copy of Steve Hodel's new book, "Most Evil," on my desk. Does Steve Hodel, author of "Black Dahlia Avenger," say his father was Zodiac? In a word, yes. From the introduction: "I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

September 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

September 21, 1959:  “After many months of research and collaboration, writers Harry Essex and Irving Shulman have finished a pre-sold novel based on [Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle’s] life and the sensational scandal that marred it. The title, ‘Fatty.’ ” (This book … Continue reading →

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

September 21, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 21, 1959: Paul Coates writes about the damaging effects of Little Rock, Ark., closing its schools over integration.

Posted in Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Paul Coates | Comments Off on September 21, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 21, 1939: Joel McCrea in "Espionage Agent." Not on Netflix.

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

The Dodgers, Juan Marichal and the Beanball

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 21, 1969: Surfers are cleaning up their act, The Times says. Richard Nixon owns a surfboard? Jules Feiffer on the Miranda case. All the pseudo-surfers have become pseudo-hippies! The Dodgers and Giants were fighting again and Juan Marichal was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Music, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on The Dodgers, Juan Marichal and the Beanball

Dodgers Beat Giants to Lead League!

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 21, 1959: Tigers Thwart White Sox Bid to Clinch Rag The Dodgers moved into first place in the National League by sweeping the Giants. Duke Snider hit his 23rd home run of the season and Maury Wills continued to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Beat Giants to Lead League!

34 Years on the Streetcars

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 23, 1934: John Corsen reflects on his 34 years as a streetcar motorman. This is a wonderful first-person account of the early days of the streetcars in Los Angeles. "You ought to see what it was when I started. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Downtown, Transportation | 1 Comment

Police Crack Down on ‘Mashers’ in Park

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Cartoonist Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale draws W.I. Hollingsworth. Sept. 21, 1909: Police crack down on mashers in Eastlake Park, which is now Lincoln Park. "These young rowdies attempt to flirt with every girl they see," said John Butler, sergeant of … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, LAPD, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off on Police Crack Down on ‘Mashers’ in Park

Khrushchev — Postscript

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nikita Khrushchev's memoirs include an interesting anecdote about his stop at San Luis Obispo on the trip to San Francisco. While mingling with people at the train station, he lost a gold medal of Lenin presented by the Society for … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, books, Politics | 1 Comment

Khrushchev — A Look Back

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Art Rogers / Los Angeles Times Sept 19, 1959: Nikita Khrushchev, Los Angeles International Airport. What did Khrushchev make of his trip to Los Angeles? Fortunately, he deals with it at some length in his autobiography, published by … Continue reading →

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Disney on Khrushchev

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nikita Khrushchev didn't go to Disneyland, but Walt Disney was ready for him.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Disney on Khrushchev

Woody Allen and Billy Graham

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Woody Allen got a rave review in The Times for his upcoming CBS special. Can you think of anything as weird or complex or interesting as the thought of Allen sitting in a chair next to evangelist Billy Graham, discussing … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Religion, Television | Comments Off on Woody Allen and Billy Graham

Dodgers Tie for First!

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

So not everybody in Los Angeles was focused on Nikita Khrushchev's visit. The Dodgers swept the Giants in a doubleheader in San Francisco and moved into a first-place tie for the National League pennant. Milwaukee was in third place but … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Tie for First!

A New Format for KLAC

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

KLAC tried a new weekend lineup focusing on comedy, with some familiar faces going undercover on the radio. Jim Backus, the voice of Mr. Magoo and later one of the "Gilligan's Island" cast, took the 3-6 p.m. slot. Louis Nye, … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

A Quiet Khrushchev Leaves for S.F.

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 21, 1959: Khrushchev grew increasingly frustrated that his U.S. trip was being closely controlled, preventing him from meeting "average Americans." In San Francisco, he finally broke loose from his handlers to meet crowds. San Francisco Mayor George Christopher takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment