Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Paul Coates — Confidential File, April 15, 1959

Posted on April 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE There Was no Dame, That Was a Duchess The telephone on my desk jangled. "Hello," I said. It seemed a logical thing to say. "You heard about Goya?" the breathless voice at the other end of the line … Continue reading →

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In the Theaters — April 15, 1944

Posted on April 15, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on In the Theaters — April 15, 1944

Did Ancient Lizard Cult Hide Gold Tablets in Tunnels Under L.A.? Jan. 29, 1934

Posted on April 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Jan. 29, 1934: Gold hidden in network of tunnels under downtown Los Angeles!

Posted in Architecture, Downtown | 2 Comments

Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Of all the words I could use to describe "A Foreign Affair, "zany" is not one of them.  July 23, 1948: "The bitterness of 'A Foreign Affair' is thus likely to linger after its laughs have passed," Edwin Schallert says. … Continue reading →

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GOP Neglects Blacks, White House Aide Says; Dodgers Lose, April 15, 1959

Posted on April 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above, Navy Lt. M. Scott Carpenter, one of seven men chosen for the Mercury space program, leaves Garden Grove with his family to undergo training. In 1962, Carpenter became the fourth American in space and the second to orbit the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Early Views of Los Angeles

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

This postcard, c. 1908, showing views of Los Angeles, including the courthouse, oil wells, the Plaza, and Echo Park, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $6.

Posted in Architecture, Downtown | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Early Views of Los Angeles

Matt Weinstock — April 14, 1959

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Clever, These Hollywooders Not long ago a producer, director and writer drove to Santa Barbara for a preview of their new movie. On the return trip, around 2 a.m., on a lonely stretch of Highway 101, they ran out of … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, April 14, 1959

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Butch Harris Feels Better About Things It would be nice if I could believe that all stories have happy endings. That Sleeping Beauty always gets bussed by her handsome prince, or that Cinderella's post midnight dreams always wind … Continue reading →

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In the Theaters — April 14, 1942

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Edwin Schallert reports that Adolphe Menjou has been cast in the critical role of the innkeeper in "Casablanca." "Menjou's part is to be the most important of the character type and he will have much to do with motivating the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Coming soon: "The Emperor Waltz," May 24, 1948. Later appraisals of Billy Wilder's career dismiss "The Emperor Waltz" as a footnote, blaming bad chemistry between Wilder and Bing Crosby. Years before making "Waltz," Wilder said he wanted to do a … Continue reading →

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City Hall Protest Over Chavez Ravine Evictions, April 14, 1959

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Chavez Ravine residents threatened with eviction survived another day in their homes. The Times published a short story with a terrible lead on the planned evictions to allow construction of Dodger Stadium: "It was the last of the ninth inning … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Downtown, LAPD, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on City Hall Protest Over Chavez Ravine Evictions, April 14, 1959

SLA Pipe Bombs Revisited

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 23, 1975: Bombs are found under two LAPD cars. In the last 33 years, The Times has published varying accounts of the August 1975 incident in which the Symbionese Liberation Army planted pipe bombs under two LAPD cars — … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, LAPD | Comments Off on SLA Pipe Bombs Revisited

Disney Plans ‘Vacation Land,’ April 14, 1959

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

The planners at Disneyland apparently toyed with adding a "Vaction Land" adjacent to the park, according to The Times' Jeane Hoffman. "Walt has an entirely different concept of what a show for sportsmen should be," Disney official Jack Sayers said. … Continue reading →

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Nuestro Pueblo, April 14, 1939

Posted on April 14, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo, April 14, 1939

Voices — Mark Fidrych, 1954 – 2009

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Obituaries, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Black Mask Magazine

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Speaking of Black Mask, two more issues that have been listed on EBay, At left, July 1946 (Bidding starts at $18.99) At right, September 1947 (Bidding starts at $18.99). The vendor has another July 1946 issue listed at $17.99.

Posted in books | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Black Mask Magazine

Matt Weinstock — April 13, 1959

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

  On Conformity The horrid word of the moment is conformity — submitting to the other fellow's whims, influence and propaganda. The villains are vaguely identified as ruthless persuaders, sometimes known as the Madison Avenue boys, whose sneaky, repetitious sales … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, April 13, 1959

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Trujillo Jr. No Playboy at Home It was just about a year ago, give or take a month, that the Dominican man-o'-war Angelita steamed into Los Angeles Harbor, dropped anchor and launched the most lavish fiesta this jaded … Continue reading →

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Voices — Marilyn Chambers, 1952 — 2009

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Marilyn Chambers is no dummy," The Times' Robert Hilburn says in beginning his profile of the former porn star, who was promoting a "disco-flavored" single, "Benihana."   "I'd like to be someone like Sammy Davis Jr., who can sing, dance, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

In the Theaters — April 13, 1939

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on In the Theaters — April 13, 1939