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 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1919: "The World and Its Woman" with Geraldine Farrar and her husband, Lou Tellegen, premieres at Clune's Auditorium, 5th Street and Olive. Clune's became "Philharmonic Auditorium" about 1920.  Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton in "Back Stage" and the … Continue reading →

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

Mystery Observatory Photo — Update

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Cary Schneider and Robin Mayper of The Times library were going through our photos of observatories yesterday looking for pictures of Mt. Wilson and came across this unlabeled item. It appears to have been taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Education, Science | 2 Comments

September 1, 1959: Ignore Khrushchev, VFW Leader Says; Koufax Strikes Out 18!

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1959: Vice President Nixon addresses the VFW convention being held in Los Angeles … VFW Commander in Chief John W. Mahan says of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s upcoming visit: “We ask Americans to ignore, with dignity, this man. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on September 1, 1959: Ignore Khrushchev, VFW Leader Says; Koufax Strikes Out 18!

September 1, 1949: Fatal Farewell for Actress’ Lover; L.A. and the Angels

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1949:  At Cannes, France, Italian Count Giorgio Cini is killed when his private plane crashes while circling back so he could wave farewell to actress Merle Oberon. “My life is finished. There’s no point in going on,” says … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Mickey Cohen, Sports | Comments Off on September 1, 1949: Fatal Farewell for Actress’ Lover; L.A. and the Angels

September 1, 1949: L.A. Warned on Water

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1949: The early days of the Mirror, when it was a tabloid. I thought it would be fun to dip into the 1949 editions of the Mirror, if only briefly. At that time, Paul Coates was mostly covering … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on September 1, 1949: L.A. Warned on Water

Sleepwalker Falls From Streetcar

Posted on September 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 1, 1909: Edmund Walller "Ted" Gale draws former Mayor Harper on the witness stand. Francisco Tralenna breaks his arm while sleepwalking — on a streetcar. A runaway horse at 1st and Los Angeles streets leaves two men injured, including … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off on Sleepwalker Falls From Streetcar

Mt. Wilson in The Times Archives

Posted on August 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 22, 1957: A wildfire forces the evacuation of Mt. Wilson. June 9, 1889: A trip up Mt. Wilson, including a visit to the temporary observatory.

Posted in Front Pages | Comments Off on Mt. Wilson in The Times Archives

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 31, 1959

Posted on August 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Matt Weinstock is on vacation.

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Aug. 31, 1959

August 31, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 31, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on August 31, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 31, 1979: "Drabble," in an early, crudely drawn panel, replaces "Jeff Hawke." Notice that Stan Lynde has stopped drawing "Rick O'Shay," which is being done by Mel Keefer and Marian Dern. Also notice the reference in "Apartment 3-G" to … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Two Blacks Killed in Fight With White Co-Workers

Posted on August 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 31, 1899: Boston Optical has sunglasses. A racial fight between members of a crew working on track for the Illinois Central Railroad near Rockford leaves two African Americans dead and one more injured. The contractor and his son say … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Transportation | Comments Off on Two Blacks Killed in Fight With White Co-Workers

Eastside Scandal

Posted on August 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

A juicy item about a "frisky grass widow" and a prominent real estate man — with a "deluded" wife and "two or three" children. 

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on Eastside Scandal

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 30. 1978: I had forgotten about Tom K. Ryan's "Tumbleweeds" until I started going through the old comics pages. The strip is full of annoying stereotypes but the one I found the most obnoxious was Hildegard Hamhocker, the desperately … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Study Finds Widespread Grade Inflation at L.A. County Schools

Posted on August 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 30, 1899: Hawley, King & Co. buggies, 5th and Broadway. The county Board of Education finds "deplorable laxness and inefficiency" in most Los Angeles County schools. By 1899, California required each county to send standardized tests to all its … Continue reading →

Posted in 1899, Education | Comments Off on Study Finds Widespread Grade Inflation at L.A. County Schools

The Los Angeles Tribune Does Not Tell the Truth

Posted on August 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 30, 1889: Mrs. E.C. Freeman is moving her bakery to 339 S. Spring St. Harrison Gray Otis responds to an article in a rival paper: "The Los Angeles Tribune, as usual, does not tell the truth." The Tribune … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Environment, Politics | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 29, 1959

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Matt Weinstock is on vacation.

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Aug. 29, 1959

August 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on August 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 29, 1977: "Kelly" is replaced with Sydney Jordan's "Jeff Hawke," another short-lived strip. 

Posted in art and artists, Comics | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Above, Paramount dance director LeRoy Prinz with, from left, Esther Pressman, Beula McDonald, Bonita Barker, Kay Gordon, Dorothy Thompson and Dene Myles, April 15, 1935. Update: Our mystery guest is LeRoy Pnriz. Just a reminder … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 39 Comments

Judge Bars Bus Strike; Giants Beat Dodgers

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 29, 1959: A judge's temporary restraining order prevents a bus and streetcar strike. Someone has a Cold War souvenir in the shed. Let's fire it up and see what happens. The threat of communist aggression casts a shadow over … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #Jazz, art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Nightclubs, Politics, Religion, Transportation, Venice Division | Comments Off on Judge Bars Bus Strike; Giants Beat Dodgers