Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Woman Sets Trap for Man Who Sent Obscene Poem

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 25, 1889: Siegel the Hatter has handmade hats! June 25, 1889: A young lady named Carrie Arnold (or Carrier Turner — The Times used both names) receives an indecent proposal — in verse — and her father persuades her … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Fashion | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Burbank Theater

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

This postcard of the Burbank Theater, 548 S. Main St., has been listed on EBay. The theater was built in 1893 and torn down in 1974.  Bidding starts at $8.

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Burbank Theater

Matt Weinstock, June 24, 1959

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Other Half He calls himself Skid Row Joe From Kokomo. His conversation is rambling and disjointed. It doesn't seem to make much sense. Yet when you put it all together it does. Like some of William Faulkner's writing. "You … Continue reading →

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

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File A Stirring Problem When You're in Stir Among men doing hard time, the proper care and handling of a parole board is a priceless skill. It's an art practiced and polished and passed along from generation to generation … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Camera

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 24, 1970: Polaroid film. Ask your parents (or grandparents) what flash cubes were. For that matter, ask them what Polaroid cameras were!

Posted in Science | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Camera

Superman Autopsy Confirms Suicide, Coroner Says

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 24, 1959: Los Angeles County Coroner Theodore J. Curphey discusses the autopsy of "Superman" actor George Reeves, who died June 16, 1959. Reeves' mother hired attorney Jerry Giesler to look into the actor's death because she didn't believe he … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Suicide | 1 Comment

Minister, Wife Tried on Sex Charges

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times June 24, 1939: The Rev. Joseph Jeffers and his wife, Zella, sit at the defense table during their sensational morals trial, in which prosecutors showed a film of them taken during a raid on … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Religion | 3 Comments

Times Movie Contest

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 24, 1939: The Times begins a movie contest. See if you can figure out the sample question.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Police Court, June 24, 1899

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 24, 1899: The cure for weak men.

Posted in #courts, 1899 | Comments Off on Police Court, June 24, 1899

Downtown Street Used as Racetrack!

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 24, 1889: No more racing on Grand Avenue!

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Found on EBay — One Magazine

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

The inaugural January 1953 issue of One magazine, published in Los Angeles, has been listed on EBay. One was a historic magazine that dealt with gay issues. It was declared obscene by the Postal Service, resulting in a landmark 1st … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, books | Comments Off on Found on EBay — One Magazine

Matt Weinstock, June 23, 1959

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Hazel, I Said No! You Can't Have a New Dress!" Numbers Game A lady named Julia has been confronted with a major dilemma — to move or not to move. Normal accretion being what it is, her apartment has become … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Environment, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 23, 1959

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 23, 1959

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Confidential File Spoil-Sport Coates Tilts the Machine For a boy barely out of knickers, I have remarkable mental powers. Invariably, I can pick out the good guys from the bad guys on western TV. I'm uncanny at predicting the … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates, Politics | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 23, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Music

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1966: The Marantz Model 10B FM stereo tuner costs $750, or $4,924.09 USD 2008.

Posted in broadcasting, Music | 2 Comments

Dog Attacks Actress — Koufax Sets Record

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1959: "Hello, Young Lady." Elaine Stewart said she was watching TV at the home of tenant Floyd Appel when his dog bit her on the lip. In 1963, she was awarded $4,500 in damages. At left, Irene Dunne … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Comics, Dodgers, Environment, Film, health, Hollywood, Obituaries, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Dog Attacks Actress — Koufax Sets Record

Nuestro Pueblo: Central Jail

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1939: I think this is my favorite "Nuestro Pueblo" so far. The dialogue could come right out of some 1930s movie. Interestingly enough, the text was completely rewritten for the book.

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo: Central Jail

Crude Oil Floods Figueroa Street!

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1899: Crude oil floods Figueroa Street. A city inspector discovered that workers dismantling a storage tank on a triangular lot at 1st and 2nd streets (recall that several downtown streets have been realigned since 1899) directed about 200 … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Environment, Transportation | Comments Off on Crude Oil Floods Figueroa Street!

Geronimo

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1889: The story of Geronimo as told by the Rambler.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Geronimo

Found on EBay — First Methodist Episcopal Church

Posted on June 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 20, 1899: The cornerstone is laid for First M.E. Church This postcard showing First M.E. Church has been listed on EBay. The church was designed by Austin and Skilling and built on the northeast corner of  6th and Hill … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Religion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — First Methodist Episcopal Church

Matt Weinstock, June 22, 1969

Posted on June 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Note: At the moment I'm unable to provide Matt Weinstock's June 22, 1959, column. Instead, here's his June 22, 1969 column.

Posted in Architecture, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment