Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 7, 1944

Posted on August 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 7, 1944: Gail Patrick says the honeymoon is over now that she has to go back to work on “Brewster’s Millions,” Louella Parsons says. Horoscope for Leo: Some a.m. benefic influences, that’s about all today. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Aug. 7, 1944

Posted on August 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 7, 1944: Geraldine Fitzgerald is the cover photo as Life features the rarely seen movie “Wilson.” Life also reports on the unsuccessful bomb plot to kill Hitler. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Aug. 7, 1944

Aug. 7, 1907: Too Late for Wife to Repent Marriage to Abusive Husband, Judge Rules

Posted on August 7, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 7, 1907: Kate Conrad had known her husband since she was 13 and had been married to him for 18 years, so it was too late to decide she didn’t want to be married to him, even though he was an abusive drunk and she lived in fear of him, a judge rules. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Streetcars | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 7, 1907: Too Late for Wife to Repent Marriage to Abusive Husband, Judge Rules

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 6, 1959

Posted on August 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 6, 1959: Matt Weinstock writes about Valley shoppers at a market suddenly plunged in darkness by a power outage. And a co-worker tries yoga and … pops *something.* Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Aug. 6, 1959

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 6, 1959

Posted on August 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 6, 1959: Preston Sturges dies. Paul Coates writes about teenagers who sniff glue and gasoline. And a poll on what Nikita Khrushchev should see on his U.S. visit. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Aug. 6, 1947: Asian Americans Sue Over Deed Restrictions Forcing Them Out of White Neighborhoods

Posted on August 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 6, 1947: Two Asian Americans sue over a restraining order to prevent them from occupying their present homes because of deed restrictions. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Crime and Courts | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 6, 1947: Asian Americans Sue Over Deed Restrictions Forcing Them Out of White Neighborhoods

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 6, 1944

Posted on August 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 6, 1944: Jennifer Jones is a strange, restrained, shy girl, Louella Parsons says. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 6, 1944

Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, August 2025

Posted on August 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and look at William Mann’s forthcoming “Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood.” Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, August 2025

Aug. 5, 1947: Hitchhiking Couple Confess to ‘Kiss of Death’ Murder

Posted on August 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 5, 1947: Joseph Hardy and Lois Hunt were hitchhiking and killed a California man who picked them up. They pulled off in a forest in Nevada and Hardy excused himself while Lois began kissing James W. McLain. Hardy came back and shot McLain three times in the head. After burying McLain, they took his car, gambled away his money and flipped his car. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Crime and Courts, Homicide | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 5, 1947: Hitchhiking Couple Confess to ‘Kiss of Death’ Murder

1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 5, 1944

Posted on August 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 5, 1944: Veronica Lake might not get cast in ‘Duel in the Sun’ as she’s starring in Miss Susie Slagle’s at RKO, Louella Parsons says. If your birthday is today: Things may appear a little difficult. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, Aug. 5, 1944

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 4, 1959

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1959: Matt Weinstock writes about Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield’s continuing fight against ‘Lady Chatterly’s Lover.’ And maids these days are asking prospective employers if they have air conditioning. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Aug. 4, 1959

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 4, 1959

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1959: Paul Coates with the real (well, maybe) story of why Simon Rodia began the Watts Towers. Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 4, 1959

Aug. 4, 1947: Patsy, Teenage Polio Patient, Dreams of Going to a Rodeo

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1947: Patsy Pfeifer, 14, has two ambitions: One is to see a rodeo. The other is to walk, having contracted polio around Christmas 1942. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Animals, Medicine | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 4, 1947: Patsy, Teenage Polio Patient, Dreams of Going to a Rodeo

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have some mysterious guests. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, books, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Roy D’Arcy: The Man With the Devilish Grin

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory profiles Roy D’Arcy, a famous actor of the silent era whose career declined to B pictures. He eventually he became a real estate agent. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Roy D’Arcy: The Man With the Devilish Grin

Aug. 4, 1907: Galveston Plan Brings Russian Jews to Southwestern U.S.

Posted on August 4, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 4, 1907: In July, 50 Russian Jews arrived in Galveston, Texas, aided by the Jewish Territorial Organization. The Galveston Plan brought about 10,000 Jews to America between 1907 and 1914. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1914, Black Dahlia, Immigration, Religion, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 4, 1907: Galveston Plan Brings Russian Jews to Southwestern U.S.

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 3, 1959

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1959: Paul Coates writes about a letter he received from a distraught 18-year-old who can’t afford counseling for mental illness. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 3, 1959

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 3, 1959

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1959: Matt Weinstock writes about wily smokers who avoid paying the 30-cent fee when buying from cigarette vending machines. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Aug. 3, 1959

Aug. 3, 1947: ‘Kingsblood Royal’ by Sinclar Lewis Leads Bestseller List

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1947: Sinclair Lewis’ ‘Kingsblood Royal’ is the bestselling novel in Los Angeles, followed by ‘The Prince of Foxes,’ by Samuel Shellabarger, and ‘Gentleman’s Agreement,’ by Laura Hobson. John Gunther’s ‘Inside U.S.A.’ is the bestselling nonfiction book. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Books and Authors | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 3, 1947: ‘Kingsblood Royal’ by Sinclar Lewis Leads Bestseller List

Aug. 3, 1907: Gasoline Stove Explodes, Destroys House

Posted on August 3, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 3, 1907: Gasoline from a stove explodes, destroying a house. Mrs. William Morley was found dazed and stumbling around the smoking ruin of what had been her home. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Fires, Food and Drink | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 3, 1907: Gasoline Stove Explodes, Destroys House