Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

From the Daily Mirror Files: Merce Cunningham, 1980

Posted on July 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

     April 4, 1980: The late Daniel Cariaga interviews Merce Cunningham for a Times feature story. One line reads: "When career over, how do you want to be remembered?" Note: Several months ago I rescued several boxes of old ephemeral … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Music, Obituaries, Stage | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Impure Movie

Posted on July 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 27, 1949: Sally Forrest, Leo Penn and Keefe Brasselle in "Not Wanted," co-written and co-produced by Ida Lupino.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Religion | 1 Comment

Merce Cunningham, 1919 – 2009

Posted on July 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Linda A. Cicero/Stanford News Service Merce Cunningham in 2007. Grand Master of Movement * Merce Cunningham has been dancing and choreographing since the 1940s. 'Dancing is looking,' he says, and he still has a keen eye for the endless subtleties … Continue reading →

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Charges Dismissed in Attack

Posted on July 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

      July 27, 1899: Charges are dismissed against Frank McVey, an African American accused of attacking a white man who was allegedly living with his sister.

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Indian Jim Dies

Posted on July 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 27, 1889: The Times receives word on the passing of "Indian Jim" of Yuma, Ariz. … a follow-up on the abandoned baby story … the "White Caps" trial … and home-wrecker Robert Sykes must stay in jail.

Posted in #courts, Obituaries | Comments Off on Indian Jim Dies

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on July 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

. Several old credit cards have been listed on EBay, including one from Bullock's Wilshire. And not just anyone's credit cards, either. They belonged to former Heidi Fleiss beau Ivan Nagy. Bidding starts at $4.99.

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Sus Peliculas

Posted on July 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 26, 1948: Pedro Infante and Sara Garcia in "¡Vuelven los Garcia!"

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Music | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Sus Peliculas

Jealous Neighbor Kills Woman, Attempts Suicide

Posted on July 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

    July 26, 1899: E.V. Methever, 52, a Long Beach shoemaker who was infatuated with Dorothy McKee, a neighboring shopkeeper, rammed her bicycle with his bike and shot her to death, then tried to commit suicide.

Posted in #courts, Suicide | Comments Off on Jealous Neighbor Kills Woman, Attempts Suicide

Mother Charged With Abandoning Baby

Posted on July 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 26, 1889: A broken promise of marriage … a wronged woman … an abandoned baby … Police Chief Glass has his hands full! … Cantankerous people plague the district attorney's office.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Mother Charged With Abandoning Baby

Matt Weinstock — July 25, 1959

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

New-Type Hero If the situation in Cuba seems chaotic, let writer Malvin Wald fill you in on some details. He has just returned from five weeks in Havana getting material for a film about Fidel Castro. One time he and … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 25, 1959

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Fear, Ignorance Hard to Defeat This is a very unlikely story about a minister whom everybody feared. He was a kind, friendly man — a dedicated worker for his church. In fact, his dedication was so great that … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 25, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Motorcar

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1947: The Tucker.

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

Remembering Armida Wiltsey

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Karen Davis writes of Armida Wiltsey, whose 1978 killing was solved through DNA analysis: My family has been following the news stories since the real killer was found and each time I read another update, the angrier I became as … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo Update: As most of you have figured out, this is Grace Bradley, Mrs. Hopalong Cassidy, in 1934. I’m a little pressed for time this morning. More later. Just a reminder on how this works: I … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 46 Comments

Now Casting: Black Actresses; Dodger Out for Emergency Surgery

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1969: Virginia Capers says that although roles once went to African American actresses who were "especially light and cute," "Now you've got to be black. Real black." In "There Was a Crooked Man," Capers plays "a 1969 militant … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Now Casting: Black Actresses; Dodger Out for Emergency Surgery

City Sets New Speed Limits on Bicycles

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1899: "It shall be unlawful for any person to ride any bicycle, tricycle, velocipede or other riding machine or vehicle upon any public sidewalk within the corporate limits of this city or to ride any such vehicle within … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | 1 Comment

11-Room House for $76,000

Posted on July 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 26, 1899: Reynolds Bros. built this house for $3,000 — $76,646.97 USD 2008.  

Posted in Architecture | Comments Off on 11-Room House for $76,000

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on July 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

This silk Avagolf dress from Bullock's Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $75.

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Matt Weinstock — July 24, 1959

Posted on July 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

After the Ballyhoo Is Over Two years ago, against the same backdrop of beauty and ballyhoo as emanates presently from Long Beach, Leona Gage, Miss Maryland, was acclaimed Miss U.S.A. At her moment of triumph, as she prepared to compete … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 24, 1959

Posted on July 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Mash Notes (Press Release) "Jack Paar says in the current issue of Look magazine that his wife, Miriam, is sexy –'in a Republican sort of way'." (signed) Publicity Dept., Look magazine, New York City.    —Well, you know how … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 24, 1959