Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 17, 1959

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Orval Faubus Adds to the Ad Absurdum I know I'll hate myself in the morning. But right now, I can't resist the temptation to confess that I really admire Gov. Orval Faubus. Can't help it. I just do. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 17, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time: Your Rights

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 18, 1953: Irwin Edelman, Pershing Square orator, is enmeshed in the Rosenberg case. He was convicted in 1949 as a "vagrant dissolute person" in a case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1953, he sought refuge in … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time: Your Rights

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Transportation

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 17, 1950:  Downtown is jammed with cars after transit workers go on strike. The good news? The new Hyperion sewage treatment plant allows Venice Beach to reopen after being quarantined since 1943.

Posted in Transportation | 1 Comment

Religion and War; Dodgers’ Attendance Declines

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

"You pray that you get back alive and in one piece," says Spec. 5 Michael G. Johnson of Miami. The Times didn't run any photos with Harry Trimborn's nondupe from Saigon about religious faith among the military in Vietnam.  All … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Comments Off on Religion and War; Dodgers’ Attendance Declines

Second Takes — Samuel Goldwyn

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 17, 1959: Jack Smith's series on Samuel Goldwyn continues. "[Robert] Sherwood and I were watching the first cut of the picture," Goldwyn says of "The Best Years of Our Lives." "It was very rough. Sherwood turned to me and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Jack Smith | Comments Off on Second Takes — Samuel Goldwyn

Star of Hit TV Show Kills Himself!

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

George Reeves, star of "Superman," one of the most popular shows on TV, kills himself with a 9-millimeter Luger and The Times runs the story inside. I wonder what the editors were thinking. Present at the time were Reeves' fiancee, … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Suicide, Television | 1 Comment

Elderly Woman Fights Officer

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 17, 1899: Officer Shand attempts to arrest Magdalena Schultz and after a terrible fight, subdues her with help from Deputy Johnston.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Man Tries to Kill Woman Who Rejected Him

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 17, 1889: Charley Harper is accused of trying to kill Mrs. Brown because she wouldn't live with him.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Man Tries to Kill Woman Who Rejected Him

Found on EBay — Los Angeles Examiner

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

A July 2, 1945, issue of the Los Angeles Examiner has been listed on EBay. Notice that it's a war extra, presumably intended for street sales. This is not the edition people would have received at home. It's impossible to … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Los Angeles Examiner

Matt Weinstock, June 16, 1959

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

This was one very sad day in my young life.   Blind Justice Sees While absent-mindedly crossing a downtown intersection, an elderly woman saw the traffic policeman at the corner coming toward her and realized in panic that she was jaywalking … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 16, 1959

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

"A Huge Door Slowly Begins to Swing Open." Confidential File If Stomach's Strong, Visit Tijuana Prison Robert Petersen, a slightly built 18-year old kid from Belmont, Cal., was released from Mexico's La Mesa State Prison, near Tijuana, this week. He'd … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Crash Kills LAPD Motorcycle Officer

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1935: Officer A.C. "Scotty" Madon is fatally injured when he swerves his motorcycle to avoid hitting a car at 96th Street and Western Avenue. One of the hazards of research in old newspapers is that names dictated over … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Crash Kills LAPD Motorcycle Officer

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Family Dispute

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1946: Samuel Alson tries to commit suicide after killing his son, Clayton, and the son's fiancee, Loma Quiroz. Killer Samuel Aslon escaped from prison in 1950, but The Times never reported whether he was recaptured. Samuel Aslon died … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide | 1 Comment

Second Takes — Samuel Goldwyn

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Part 3 of Jack Smith's series on Samuel Goldwyn. Goldwyn describes discovering Vilma Banky — and making her into a star of silent films. He also spent a fortune on her marriage to Rod La Rocque.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Jack Smith, Second Takes | 1 Comment

Streetcar Kills Motorcycle Officer

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1920: Motorcycle Officer E. Peter Bradley is killed when he ignores crossing signals and is hit by an inbound streetcar at Ventura and Lankershim boulevards.

Posted in LAPD, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo: Wilmington

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo: Wilmington

Chinese Opium Dens of Los Angeles

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1889: After quite a long rant on the degenerate nature of the Chinese — the maids and cooks are corrupting the good white homes of Los Angeles by providing narcotics to young, idle society men and women — … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown | 1 Comment

Woman Who Asks Men to Marry Her Is Crazy!

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1889: An update on Louis Silverstein and the case of Minnie J. Hinton, 40, who kept asking men to marry her. And yes, we described a 40-year-old woman as an "old lady."

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Woman Who Asks Men to Marry Her Is Crazy!

Found on EBay — Old Map of Los Angeles

Posted on June 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

A 1954 Thomas Bros. Guide for Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. These old maps come in handy around the Daily Mirror HQ. Bidding starts at $9.95.

Posted in Freeways | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock, June 15, 1959

Posted on June 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Book sales are at a record high, Sylvia Porter says. People are turning off their TVs and reading ("Exodus" and "Lolita," presumably). East Coast Culture Actor Harold Peary, among others, was propelled to his typewriter by mention of the We … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 15, 1959