Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1921: "Beau Revel" is playing at Grauman's Million Dollar Theater, with the Columbia Park Boys, plus Grauman's symphony orchestra and Henry Murtagh at the Wurlitzer. "The Woman God Changed" is at Grauman's Rialto, Broadway near 8th Street, … Continue reading →

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

Nixon Dedicates Sports Arena

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1959: Vice President Richard Nixon waves during the dedication of the Sports Arena. It has been a long time since anyone referred to the Los Angeles Sports Arena as a "marvel of modern design." But that was the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960 Democratic Convention, City Hall, Current Affairs, Downtown, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Nixon Dedicates Sports Arena

Yankee Stadium Packed for Lou Gehrig Tribute

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1939: Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. Sometimes words aren't enough. The Times published an Associated Press account of Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium, the tribute to the stricken first baseman who had been a symbol of consistency … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Yankee Stadium Packed for Lou Gehrig Tribute

Nuestro Pueblo: Arcadia

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1939: Nuestro Pueblo visits Lucky Baldwin's ranch in Arcadia.

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo: Arcadia

Fireworks Injuries

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1899: The Times tallies the injuries caused by Fourth of July fireworks … and in Fullerton, a Mexican named Gonzales is beaten for spitting on the flag.

Posted in health, LAPD | Comments Off on Fireworks Injuries

Fireworks Touch Off Numerous Blazes

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1889: Firecrackers and rockets touch off numerous blazes around the city … a man is arrested for swearing at a driver who collided with his wagon. 

Posted in Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Fireworks Touch Off Numerous Blazes

Found on EBay — Florentine Gardens

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

A large lot of cocktail napkins from the 1940s, including several from the Florentine Gardens, left, and quite a few from San Diego, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in art and artists, Food and Drink, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Florentine Gardens

Matt Weinstock, July 4, 1959

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Everybody's Uncle When you hear a familiar nasal voice say, "Now, madam, what is your problem?" you know it's John J. Anthony. For 30 years in radio and television he has been a counselor to people in trouble, mostly marital. … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 4, 1959

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Mash Notes and Comments "to Coats, "Memphis Ward says I should write you again and let bygons be bygons. Well, I guess its all water under the bridge, right Paul? "I had some bad luck two months ago. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1918: D.W. Griffith's "Hearts of the World" is playing at Clune's Auditorium 5th and Olive. At the Kinema, Grand Avenue at 7th Street, Mary Pickford stars in "How Could You, Jean," directed by William Desmond Taylor. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Stage | 1 Comment

Fourth of July Concert in the Park.

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1899: The Third Regiment Band will give a Fourth of July Concert at Central Park (now Pershing Square). The program includes the "Los Angeles Times March and Two-Step" by conductor J.B. Reynolds. 

Posted in Downtown, Music | Comments Off on Fourth of July Concert in the Park.

Downtown L.A. Is Red, White and Blue

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1889: The cable cars and the engine house are decorated for the Fourth of July … and two neighboring ranchers settle their differences at the blacksmith shop.

Posted in Animals, Downtown, Homicide | Comments Off on Downtown L.A. Is Red, White and Blue

Found on EBay — Little Nemo

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Also presenting McCay's "Gertie the Dinosaur" from 1914, in case you have never seen it. A Feb. 17, 1907, page of The Times comics featuring Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo in Slumberland" has been listed on EBay. Above, the entire page.  … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Little Nemo

Matt Weinstock, July 3, 1959

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Miracles Do Happen The Bell Gardens High School Boosters Club always will believe in miracles. Last April, during the club's campaign to raise money to buy uniforms for the high school band, some anonymous person contributed $5 stipulating it be … Continue reading →

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

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Coates Uncovers Hero Saga Hermit's Dad Proud of Son by Chris Farrell(As told to Paul V. Coates) That was my boy Dennis who came out of the Griffith Park hills this week after living up there for six years like … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 3, 1913: The reopened Lyceum will show a "movie" titled "The Battle of Gettysburg." The opening "will mark the establishment in Los Angeles of a real feature picture theater of the better class devoted exclusively to the showing … Continue reading →

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

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo Update: As nearly everyone has guessed, this is John Loder. Above, a photo published Oct. 5, 1928, with a story saying that he was making his U.S. screen debut in a talking picture … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 69 Comments

Mayor Orders Crackdown on Animal Cruelty

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 3, 1899: Dog races continue at Agricultural Park despite the mayor's order of a police crackdown. According to testimony in an 1899 animal cruelty case brought by the ASCPA, these races consisted of two greyhounds chasing a California … Continue reading →

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City’s Mortality Rate

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 3, 1889: Health Officer MacGowan says 63 people died in June. The leading cause was consumption.  

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Found on EBay — Shriners Convention

Posted on July 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

I'm always interested in items from the 1907 Shriners convention (right) in Los Angeles. Here's an interesting companion: A commemorative license plate from the 1959 convention. Bidding starts at $5 .

Posted in Animals, art and artists, Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Shriners Convention