Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

August 28, 1947: Margaret Harris Debuts in Piano Recital at Age 3

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1947: Margaret Harris, making her debut as a pianist at age 3, is splashed across the cover of the Los Angeles Sentinel. Harris was the musical director for “Hair” and the first Black woman to conduct the L.A. Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many other major orchestras. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, August 28, 1944

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1944: Life magazine’s cover story is on the new fashion craze of pedal pushers. Preston Sturges is probably the most exciting movie director to emerge in the past decade, Life says. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 28, 1944

Posted on August 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 28, 1944: MGM pays $60,000 for Joseph Pennell’s novel “The History of Rome Hanks!” and D.W. Griffith screens “Birth of a Nation” and “Intolerance” for Preston Sturges, Louella Parsons says. Virgo: Enjoy wholesome pleasures in free time. Continue reading →

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August 27, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1959: Paul Coates on President Eisenhower’s warm reception during Ike’s visit to West Germany. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 27, 1944

Posted on August 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1944: Go to any Hollywood party and you will hear very little discussion about the newest marital rift or the latest cafe battle. But on every side you hear stories about babies, babies babies — by proud parents, Louella Parsons says. Continue reading →

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August 27,1958: Woman kills husband over singing, Reds win against Dodgers

Posted on August 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1958: Was the late Benjamin Beynon, stabbed to death by his wife, an abusive husband or just a bad singer? Continue reading →

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August 27, 1907: Undertaker Sent Home as Minister Survives Suicide Attempt

Posted on August 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 27, 1907: An undertaker makes two trips to pick up a retired Episcopal minister — but he wasn’t dead. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1911, Black Dahlia, Suicide | Tagged , | 1 Comment

August 27, 1903: 6,000 Union Army Veterans Gather to Recall the Campfires of Old

Posted on August 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 27, 2003: 6,000 Union Army veterans gather at Eastlake (Lincoln) Park in Los Angeles. And a minister endorses the lynching of Blacks. Continue reading →

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August 26, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 26, 1959: The Miss Universe Contest is becoming increasingly scandalous and tawdry, Paul Coates says. Dear Abby has advice for a woman who sees nothing wrong with having an affair “as long as nobody is hurt.” Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 26, 1944

Posted on August 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 26, 1944: William Bendix repays a loan from his father-in-law by setting up a hardware store for him, Louella Parsons says. Virgo: Put today in your happy medium column. Continue reading →

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Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is September 2

Posted on August 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I will be doing a live Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case on YouTube next Tuesday, September 2, at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Have questions? Leave them in the comments. Continue reading →

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August 26, 1938: LAPD officer accused in bizarre plot to kill neighbors

Posted on August 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 26, 1938: A suspended LAPD officer hires a couple of men to tunnel to his neighbors’ house, to plant bugging equipment … or explosives. A judge finds The Times guilty of contempt for editorials on pending court cases. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, LAPD, Sports | 4 Comments

August 26, 1907: Save Those Redwoods

Posted on August 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 26, 1907: A large rally calls for saving the 800-acre Armstrong Grove of redwoods. In 2025, it is a State Natural Reserve. Continue reading →

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August 25, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 25, 1959: Paul Coates takes a look at women who leave their fortunes to their cats. Dear Abby has advice for the tired grandma who doesn’t want to take seven grandchildren for the summer. Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘Open Secret’ a Timely Tale of Tolerance

Posted on August 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

In an encore post from 2019, Mary Mallory looks at “Open Secret,” (1948), promoting religious and racial tolerance to a country fighting to accept the very principles upon which it was created. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

August 25, 1947: Police Investigate Death of Doctor’s Wife

Posted on August 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 25, 1947: Susanne Castillo is found dead in a bathtub and her husband, Dr. Manuel de J. Castillo, is suspected. Continue reading →

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August 25, 1958: Jealous husband rams movie star’s car, Reds win over Dodgers

Posted on August 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 25, 1958: A jealous husband rams a car he thinks is carrying his wife (it’s not). The crash hits a car carrying Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Dean Martin and his wife. Leigh gets checked at a hospital because she’s pregnant with Jamie Leigh Curtis! Continue reading →

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August 25, 1907: Death at the Lummis House Over a Garden Hose

Posted on August 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 25, 1907: Death at the Lummis House in a fight that began over a garden hose. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

This week’s mystery movie was the 1962 film Hands of a Stranger, with Paul Lukather, Joan Harvey, James Stapleton (Noah), Ted Otis, Michael Rye, Larry Haddon, Elaine Martone, George Sawaya, Michael duPont, Sally Kellerman,  David Kramer and Irish McCalla. Introducing … Continue reading →

Posted in 1962, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

August 24, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 24, 1959: A profile of “The Great Imposter,” Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr., by Paul Coates. Continue reading →

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