Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Found on EBay — Hanging Rock

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A postcard listed on EBay shows an old Ventura County landmark that has been hidden for decades. The famous Hanging Rock was submerged by the reservoir of Matilija Dam, built to hold the Ventura River. The Matilija Coalition is … Continue reading →

Posted in travel | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Hanging Rock

Matt Weinstock, June 26, 1959

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

An Act to Remember Unintentionally profound remarks come from the strangest places. The setting for this one was postwar Japan. It was told to Hal Humphrey by publicist John Plake, who was there. The soldiers in a certain headquarters company … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 26, 1959

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Mickey to Hit Banquet Trail Mickey Cohen, reputed former czar of a million-dollar bookie empire, is preparing to hit the banquet trail to spread the word that "crime don't pay." Already a verbal-contract agreement has been reached between … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Wardrobe

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 26, 1976: Johnny Carson and Jack Nicklaus leisure suits at Silverwoods. In texturized polyester!

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Michael Jackson: End of the Jacksons?

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 13, 1981: Michael Jackson tells Robert Hilburn that he's done touring with the Jacksons. "I sometimes feel like I should be 70 by now," Michael Jackson says. "Our parents did push us, but it wasn't against our will," Tito … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Michael Jackson: End of the Jacksons?

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Los Angeles Times file photo Update: As many people guessed, this is Lois Wilson. Above, a publicity still from "The Covered Wagon," July 16, 1924.   Lois Wilson; Star of Early Silent Movies March 9, 1988 By PAUL … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 107 Comments

Man Builds Model of 1881 Los Angeles

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 8, 1931: For its 50th anniversary, The Times re-creates Los Angeles as it was in 1881. Above, Robert H. Sexton Jr. displays an elaborate model of the city in 1881, measuring about 8 feet by 5 feet. The model … Continue reading →

Posted in 1881, Architecture, Downtown | 1 Comment

Nuestro Pueblo: Point Fermin

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 26, 1939: Nuestro Pueblo visits Point Fermin.

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Police Raid Colored Republican Club

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 15, 1887: Effie Smith, a prostitute on Los Angeles Street, burns to death. She took a dose of morphine and lapsed into unconsciousness after lighting a cigarette. I found this item while trying to determine the location of … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on Police Raid Colored Republican Club

Women Gets Divorce From Missing Husband

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 26, 1889: Reynolds Bros. Architects. Josephine Abel gets a divorce from her husband, Abel.

Posted in #courts, Architecture | Comments Off on Women Gets Divorce From Missing Husband

Found on EBay — Oviatt’s

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

This size 11 pair of wingtips from Oviatt's has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $10.

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

Matt Weinstock, June 25, 1959

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Never Touched Me." Happy Ending Roy Huerta got up at 2 a.m. yesterday, drove to Tijuana and brought his wife Manuela and their six children back to L.A. to stay, thereby ending a frustrating, 10-year, across-the-border separation. Roy and Manuela … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Suicide, Television | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 25, 1959

Michael Jackson — Master of Marketing

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Jan. 15, 1984: Michael Jackson as a master of marketing. "Jackson is assuredly not the innocent he's usually presumed to be."

Posted in broadcasting, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off on Michael Jackson — Master of Marketing

Michael Jackson in Victory Tour

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 9, 1984: Michael Jackson's Victory Tour: "Michael Jackson is passively aggressive, childishly macho, asexually passionate, dreamily realistic … The 25-year-old pop sensation is the living, dancing embodiment of an oxymoron … a figure of speech in which opposite or … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, broadcasting, Music, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off on Michael Jackson in Victory Tour

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

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File A New Instrument for Crime Detection A man without a camera took my picture yesterday. It's not a particularly flattering one, but it wasn't intended to be. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy C. E. MacElroy, who took it, … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Music

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 25, 1973: Phil Ochs (1940 – 1976) performs at the Ash Grove, 8162 Melrose, (1958 – 1973).

Posted in broadcasting, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Stage, Suicide | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Music

Dodgers Star Banks on His Education

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Rothschild / KTTV Aug. 19, 1961: Jerry Doggett, left, Wally Moon and Vin Scully. Photo by Joe Kennedy / L.A. Times July 26, 1960: Wally Moon playing Texas Hold 'Em? No, it's just an innocent game of solitaire. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Education, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers Star Banks on His Education

Grand Jury Vice Probe! Gilmore Field Expanded

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Put That Pistol Down, Young Lady."   Keith's 1949 post on Gilmore Field has dropped us in the middle of an extremely complicated grand jury investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department. To summarize: Officers James Parslow, Thomas C. Lindholm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Stage, Suicide | 1 Comment

Brazil Offers to Accept German Refugees

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 25, 1939: At the request of Pope Pius XII, Brazil offers to accept 3,000 German Catholics "of Jewish origin"

Posted in Religion | Comments Off on Brazil Offers to Accept German Refugees

City May Cut Police Overtime

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 25, 1899: A City Council committee weighs the complicated issue of police salaries. Some officers complain that their duties require more than an eight-hour workday. Another issue is whether travel time to get to their beats should be included … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on City May Cut Police Overtime