Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 1, 1949.

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U.S. to Accept Division of South Vietnam; Airport Proposed at Anaheim Stadium

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

NASA says a manned trip to Mars could be possible by 1981 … Dist. Atty. Edmund Dinis wants an inquest into the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, who drowned when Sen. Edward Kennedy's car went off a narrow bridge on … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Science, Sports, UFOs | Comments Off on U.S. to Accept Division of South Vietnam; Airport Proposed at Anaheim Stadium

Lightning Sets Wildfires; Dodgers Seek Coliseum Deal

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 1, 1959: The Times begins experimenting with a two-column news summary. The Dodgers' new ballpark in Chavez Ravine was nowhere in sight so the team started talking about returning to the Coliseum for the 1960 season. The Times' Frank … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Lightning Sets Wildfires; Dodgers Seek Coliseum Deal

Man Addicted to Books Kills Himself

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 1, 1899: A man kills himself after taking elaborate precautions to prevent being identified. He writes: "I read books every day. They act on me as a narcotic. I dope myself with them. They make me forget for … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Suicide | 1 Comment

Doctor as Crazy as a March Hare

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Aug. 1, 1889: "The doctor's mania is of a rather peculiar character in that he imagines he is surrounded by beautiful women and is discovering them in all sorts of places."

Posted in #courts, Suicide | Comments Off on Doctor as Crazy as a March Hare

LAPD Charged With Racism

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1959: The NAACP urges the City Council to investigate allegations of police brutality toward blacks and Mexicans. In March 1959, Municipal Judge David Williams made headlines by dismissing charges against 25 African Americans with accusations that the LAPD … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Quiet Birdmen

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2009. This Quiet Birdmen belt buckle has been listed on EBay.

Posted in Fashion, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Quiet Birdmen

Matt Weinstock, July 31, 1959

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Responsibility Law Every motorist has heard of the financial responsibility law. Today a man named Tom furnishes a horrible example of how it can work. On May 20 he stopped in the left lane at Sepulveda Blvd. and Vose St., … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 31, 1959

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File ‘Stop the Press,’ Cries Flash Reporter Joe To you, the Laurel Canyon fire may be old news. But I just heard about it. And I’ve got to admit that it’s a matter of special embarrassment to me, because … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 31, 1953: "Ride Vaquero!" has a giant, full-stage screen. And it's not on Netflix.

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

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo July 6, 1960: Barry Atwater in "Alcoa Presents: The Day the World Wept — the Lincoln Story." Update: As many people guessed, this is Barry Atwater, who died in 1978. Just a reminder … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 55 Comments

Pilgrimage Play Opens

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

  May 31, 1920: Preparations are underway in El Camino Real Canyon for "The National Pilgrimage Play."   Aug. 26, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit what was then Pilgrimage Play Theater for Nuestro Pueblo. The play wasn't presented … Continue reading →

Posted in Parks and Recreation, Religion, Stage | Comments Off on Pilgrimage Play Opens

Nuestro Pueblo — San Pedro

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 31, 1939: Nuestro Pueblo visits San Pedro and encounters an irascible lighthouse keeper, Irving Conklin. "Some idiot will write a story with a lighthouse in it," Conklin says of filmmakers. "It doesn't matter if the lighthouse is in the … Continue reading →

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For Men Only

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 31, 1899: Dr. Talcott for whatever ails men. Private entrance.

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Small Boys in Trouble!

Posted on July 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

    July 31, 1889: This looks like a dull, gray page. But read some of the stories: A saloon fight … a feud between neighbors over dirt thrown down a well … a man writes an insulting letter to … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on Small Boys in Trouble!

Drinking With the Junior League — 1952

Posted on July 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Special Daiquiri Cocktail: "This cocktail hits like a sap to the back of the head." Brady Potts takes over in this week's Cooking With the Junior League and examines mixology from Memphis, 1952: "Oh my. "This…this is a tasty, tasty … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Food and Drink | Comments Off on Drinking With the Junior League — 1952

Matt Weinstock, July 30, 1959

Posted on July 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Seems to Me You Have a Complete Disregard for the Female of the Species.” Beatnik Memo As others before him, Lawrence Lipton, Boswell of the beatniks, has learned that all sorts of unlikely things can happen when a person writes … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 30, 1959

Posted on July 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File A Crumbled Kookie Caper, and No Comb I don’t know Edd Byrnes personally, and it’s probably for the best. In person, he might be a charming, very likable young man. And if that were the case, all of … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Elite Spy Agency

Posted on July 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 30, 1952: Look, the also-ran weekly rival to Life, runs a story about the elite, super-secret Central Intelligence Agency. The title, "Inside CIA," is a play on John Gunther's book "Inside USA" and its successors.

Posted in @news, books, Current Affairs | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Elite Spy Agency

Bicycles on Sale!

Posted on July 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 30, 1899: A bicycle on sale for $35 ($894.21 USD 2008).

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Bicycles on Sale!