Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Author Writes Best Seller From Beyond the Grave

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 4, 1959: Zane Grey has been dead for 20 years but left an enormous backlog of unpublished works. At the author's home in Altadena, his son Romer says "Horse Heaven Hill" will be coming out soon and another western … Continue reading →

Posted in books | Comments Off on Author Writes Best Seller From Beyond the Grave

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 4, 1952.

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

Man, 78, Dies After Passing Driver’s Test on Third Try

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 4, 1959: Anthony Blandino, 78, had failed his driver's test twice. He passed the third time, but collapsed and died after parking his car in front of the DMV office.  

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Man, 78, Dies After Passing Driver’s Test on Third Try

Russian Leader to Visit L.A.! A.L. Wins All-Star Game

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Bruce Russell's editorial cartoon is appalling today, but this style is typical of the 1950s, when artists frequently relied on a small repertory company of characters that included the Peace Dove, the Russian Bear, Mr. A-Bomb, Uncle Sam, the … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, art and artists, classical music, Comics, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Russian Leader to Visit L.A.! A.L. Wins All-Star Game

Cooking With the Junior League, Independence, Mo.

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

This week in Cooking With the Junior League, Mary McCoy looks at the recipes of former First Lady Bess Truman. Mary writes:  "There have been unlikelier First Ladies than Bess Truman, but few I like more. "And so, despite the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Politics | Comments Off on Cooking With the Junior League, Independence, Mo.

A Fatal Sack of Potatoes

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 4, 1899: Dr. O.S. Barnum sues for the cost of treating Joseph W.Kellar, who died after straining himself while lifting a sack of potatoes.

Posted in #courts, health | Comments Off on A Fatal Sack of Potatoes

Death of a Stagecoach Driver

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 4, 1889: Racked with pain from rheumatism, former stagecoach driver Sam Washburn takes an overdose of morphine.  

Posted in Suicide, Transportation | Comments Off on Death of a Stagecoach Driver

Found on EBay — Myer Siegel

Posted on August 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

This Buster Brown hat from Myer Siegel in Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. Until now, I've only seen these hats in the comics. Bidding starts at $44.99.

Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 3, 1959

Posted on August 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Free Enterprise The 30-cent bite for a pack of cigarettes in vending machines is still outraging the addicts and, free enterprise being what it is, two regulars in a downtown saloon have set up an unusual business operation. They take … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 3, 1959

Posted on August 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File ‘Lost’ Youth’s Letter Tells Tragic Story Today, the story’s a grim one. It starts with a letter I received last week. The letter begins: “Dear Mr. Coates: “I’m 18 years old. I live with my parents in Los … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 3, 1951.

Posted in art and artists, Comics | 1 Comment

An Arrest at a Chinese Laundry

Posted on August 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 3, 1899:  Ah Wo is arrested again.  GITTES Yeah. Tell me. You still throwChinamen into jail for spittingon the laundry? ESCOBAR You're behind the times, Jake –they've got steam irons now —(smiles) And I'm out of Chinatown.  

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on An Arrest at a Chinese Laundry

Men Paid More Than Women at L.A. Schools

Posted on August 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 3, 1889: A statistical breakdown on schools, a doctor is charged in an abortion and allegations of incest. What's this? Male teachers average $88.55 ($2,095.87 USD 2008) a month, and female teachers average $75.36 ($1,783.68).

Posted in #courts, Education | Comments Off on Men Paid More Than Women at L.A. Schools

Billy Graham Tent Revival

Posted on August 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 17, 1949: Billy Graham's tent revival is coming to Los Angeles. http://bogtube.com/player/ePlayer.swf?f=http://bogtube.com/player/eConfig.php?vkey=3c29048673252e490f73 Here's an intense, young Billy Graham preaching in Los Angeles in 1949. http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf And here is his speaking style 30 years later.

Posted in Religion | Comments Off on Billy Graham Tent Revival

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 2, 1950.

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Faithful Dog Guards Drunk Master

Posted on August 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 2, 1899: Porfiro Sanchez and his faithful dog head home to Garvanza after an exciting day in the big city.  

Posted in Animals, Food and Drink, LAPD | 2 Comments

Divorce Suit Reveals Molestation Charges

Posted on August 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 2, 1889: Dominique Lassere sues for divorce, accusing his  wife, Eulalia, of adultery. In turn, Eulalia "a pretty girl with flashing black eyes and pearly teeth," charges him with molesting her 11-year-old sister, Catarina.

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on Divorce Suit Reveals Molestation Charges

Matt Weinstock, August 1, 1959

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Yes? No? Someone at the Allied Artists Studio got an idea the other day for a gimmick to draw attention to the opening Aug. 5 of the movie, “The Big Circus” — have a wire walker go back and forth … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 1, 1959

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Mash Notes and Comments “Dear Mr. Coates: “You are my court of last resort. I’ve tried everything but my mind will not rest. “On June 12, we went into a pet shop in Inglewood, as a friend of … Continue reading →

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President Backs U.S. Coal Over Foreign Oil; KTLA Cuts Commercials

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 1, 1979: Gas rationing … the energy crisis … and SALT II. "I would rather burn a ton of Kentucky coal than see our nation become dependent by buying another barrel of OPEC oil," President Carter says. Don Galloway … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Television | Comments Off on President Backs U.S. Coal Over Foreign Oil; KTLA Cuts Commercials