Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

After 13 films between 1938 ("Bluebeard's Wife") and 1945 ("The Lost Weekend"), there's a three-year gap before the 1948 release of "The Emperor Waltz." Wilder was active personally and professionally during this period. He divorced his wife, served in Germany … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Second Takes | 1 Comment

Teens Rescued From Ledge, Dodgers Beat Cubs, April 13, 1959

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Coliseum's improvised arrangement for the Dodgers is changed for the opening of the 1959 season. The right field fence is brought in to 333 feet from 390 feet and right center is cut to 375 feet from 440 feet. … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports, Stage | 1 Comment

Architecture — Greene & Greene

Posted on April 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photographs by Chris Considine The Spinks Craftsman House, 2006   Note: The Greene & Greene home at 1344 Hillcrest Ave., Pasadena, has been listed at $4.625,000. It was on the market two years ago at $5.35 million. A pair of … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Black Mask Magazine

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

A February 1925 issue of Black Mask magazine has been listed on EBay. The magazine is priced at $300, Buy It Now. Copies of Black Mask in this era are difficult to find and tend to sell in the $200 … Continue reading →

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Soviets Face Up to the Gulag, 1990

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Note: The Daily Mirror is pleased to present a nondupe by the late Charles Hillinger, written in 1990.   COLUMN ONE Soviets Face Up to the Gulag Millions died in prison camps in harshest Siberia. The once-taboo topic is … Continue reading →

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January 10, 1909: Addicted to Gambling

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

January 10, 1909: If you strip away the moralistic tone used by the anonymous Times reporter, the problems of the young men caught up in gambling (in this case horse racing) a century ago are quite modern. Wrecked on the … Continue reading →

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In the Theaters, April 12, 1938

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on In the Theaters, April 12, 1938

Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Andrea Leeds is cast for the lead of "Lost Weekend" … … or maybe Katharine Hepburn.   http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-1976207906583051047&hl=en&fs=true Note the use of the theremin in Miklos Rozsa's score.  Edwin Schallert reviews "Lost Weekend," Nov. 30, 1945 Billy Wilder wins an … Continue reading →

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Hollywood Star Couple Gets Divorce, April 12, 1939

Posted on April 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Joan Crawford appears in court to get an interlocutory decree in her divorce from actor Franchot Tone. Judge Benjamin J. Scheinman had refused to proceed in the divorce until Crawford appeared in court. Romania appears likely to capitulate to the … Continue reading →

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October 28, 1956: Charlton Heston on the ‘Ten Commandments’

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

We had our religion writer Dan Thrapp interview Charlton Heston about his role as Moses in “The Ten Commandments.” Fortunately, Thrapp was not from the “over a salad and mineral water at the Polo Lounge” or “speaking by phone from Paris, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Religion | Comments Off on October 28, 1956: Charlton Heston on the ‘Ten Commandments’

Found on EBay — Great White Fleet, 1908

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

A souvenir postcard of the Great White Fleet's 1908 visit to Los Angeles, showing the battleship Louisiana, has been listed on EBay.  Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Great White Fleet, 1908

Matt Weinstock, April 11, 1959

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Glendale 'Witch' While recovering from the flu in 1942 Charlotte Armstrong amused herself by writing a mystery novel, "Lay On, MacDuff!" To her surprise, she sold it and it was published the way she wrote it. Until then she … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, April 11, 1959

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File (Press release) "Those who are skeptical of the adage 'love at first sight' would do well to know Steve Allen's account of his first meeting with Jayne Meadows. "Steve leaves no doubt about his feelings on the subject … Continue reading →

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In the Theaters, April 11, 1935

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on In the Theaters, April 11, 1935

Second Takes — Billy Wilder

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Coming Attraction: "Double Indemnity," Aug. 6, 1944 A page from the script of "Double Indemnity." Sept. 12, 1943: James M. Cain and Raymond Chandler discuss making "Double Indemnity." Here's the script from "Double Indemnity" from "The Daily Script." Philip K. … Continue reading →

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Movie Mystery Photo

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Diana Sands plays Diahann Carroll's cousin in an episode of "Julia," 1970. Update: Yes, as nearly everyone realized, this is Diana Sands, who died in 1973 at the age of 39. Just a reminder on … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Stage, Television | 150 Comments

City Workers May Get 5% Raises; Snow Cancels Dodgers Opener, April 11, 1959

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

On the cover, President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon predict a Republican victory in the 1960 presidential election. The country is "squarely behind our efforts to block excess spending and to keep the federal budget in balance," Nixon says. At … Continue reading →

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Little Girl’s Body Taken From Well, April 11, 1949

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Read more about the Kathy Fiscus incident. >>>

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Found on EBay — UFO Society

Posted on April 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

This label, for the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in UFOs | Comments Off on Found on EBay — UFO Society

Matt Weinstock — April 10, 1959

Posted on April 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dilemma Continues A year and a half ago the frustrating dilemma of Roy Huerta, 38, a cook, and his wife, Manuela, 32, was told here. Ten years before, in 1947, they were married in Los Angeles. One day in 1949 … Continue reading →

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