Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Black Dahlia Book Club – Coming February 17, 2026

Posted on February 10, 2026 by lmharnisch

Reminder: The second session of the Black Dahlia Book Club will meet February 17 at 10 a.m. on YouTube. This time I’ll look at the memoirs of four journalists who covered the case. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1948, Black Dahlia, Black Dahlia Book Club, books, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia Book Club – Coming February 17, 2026

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Mabel Fairbanks, Wonder Girl of the Ice

Posted on February 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory takes a look at the career of Black skating star Mabel Fairbanks, Wonder Girl of the Ice Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow. Continue reading →

Posted in 1929, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

February 8, 1920: Police Arrest Men in Girls’ Garb

Posted on February 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 1 and continuing: Police arrest 20 men in women’s clothing during a party at the home of former Mayor Arthur Harper. Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Comics, LAPD | 1 Comment

February 8, 1907: Peace Returns to Buena Vista Street

Posted on February 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 8, 1907: The death of family matriarch Mrs. James Stewart ends a feud between the Donnatins and the Stewarts over something that Charles Donnatin said to a young woman across the street. Continue reading →

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1944 on the Radio — ‘His Butler’s Sister,’ February 7, 1944

Posted on February 7, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 7, 1944: On the radio dial, Hop Harrigan and Lux Radio Theater presents Deanna Durbin and Pat O’Brien in “His Butler’s Sister. Continue reading →

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February 7, 1907: Cop Killer’s Widow Arrested in Liquor Raid

Posted on February 7, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 7, 1907: Charles Babbitt is sentenced to 30 days in jail on charges of domestic violence after the testimony of his 6-year-old son. “Papa hit me with a whip and it cut my head,” the boy said. “Then he hit mama.” “The man blinked his eyes and said that he did it because he was drunk” The Times says. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars | Comments Off on February 7, 1907: Cop Killer’s Widow Arrested in Liquor Raid

February 7, 1863: Smallpox Epidemic – Los Angeles

Posted on February 7, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 7, 1863: A smallpox epidemic of 278 cases sweeps Los Angeles, with 170 unvaccinated and 146 vaccinated. Continue reading →

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February 5, 2009: Burbank Time Capsule Revisited

Posted on February 5, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 5, 2009: Burbank opens its 1959 time capsule to discover black and white photos of the city as it was then, plus local newspapers. Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Architecture, City Hall, Education, Environment, Film, Freeways, Real Estate, San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on February 5, 2009: Burbank Time Capsule Revisited

February 5, 1959: Burbank Finds 1959 Time Capsule

Posted on February 5, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 5, 2009: Burbank workers find the time capsule implanted in the Magnolia Boulevard bridge in 1959. Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Film, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on February 5, 1959: Burbank Finds 1959 Time Capsule

February 5, 2009: Burbank to Open Time Capsule!

Posted on February 5, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 5, 2009: One of my favorite stories from 2009 was discovering that Burbank forgot about a time capsule placed in the Magnolia Boulevard bridge in 1959, to be opened February 5, 2009. Continue reading →

Posted in San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on February 5, 2009: Burbank to Open Time Capsule!

February 4, 1907: Architectural Ramblings — South Pasadena

Posted on February 4, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 4, 1907: Architectural rambling with “artistic bungalows.” Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Pasadena, Streetcars | Tagged | Comments Off on February 4, 1907: Architectural Ramblings — South Pasadena

February 3, 1939: Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on February 3, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 3, 1939: Times artist Charles Owens and writer Joe Seewerker visit the San Pedro breakwater. Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on February 3, 1939: Nuestro Pueblo

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, February 2026

Posted on February 3, 2026 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case includes a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a brief introduction to the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading →

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February 3, 1959: Rock Stars Die in Plane Crash

Posted on February 3, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 3, 1958: Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens are killed in a plane crash. Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll, San Fernando Valley, Television, Transportation | Comments Off on February 3, 1959: Rock Stars Die in Plane Crash

February 2, 1938: Jelousy slaying

Posted on February 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 2, 1938: After watching The Times twist and turn to avoid saying exactly what the victims in the Paul Wright case were doing when they were shot, we finally get around to it–sort of. Hint: All had been drinking heavily. Continue reading →

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February 2, 1932: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on February 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 2, 1932: Walter Collins, imprisoned husband of Christine Collins writes that he wants to be put on the road crew but can’t until a parole date is set. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on February 2, 1932: Voices — Christine Collins

February 2, 1907: A Trip to the Zoo

Posted on February 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

February 2, 1907: Conditions at Chutes Park are so bad that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is making a second inspection to see whether operator J.B. Lehigh has made any improvements before his Feb. 20 trial on charges of abuse and neglect. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars | Comments Off on February 2, 1907: A Trip to the Zoo

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on February 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have two mysterious guests. Continue reading →

Posted in 1994, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

January 31, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 31, 2026 by lmharnisch

January 31, 1959: Bill Thomas, then a staffer on the Mirror, is assigned to write about American Airlines’ first jet flight to New York. His colleagues buy a life insurance policy. “As the plane goes down it should be comforting to know you are doing a nice thing for your friends,” they say. Continue reading →

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