Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on February 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Who’s our mystery lady? Aaron Kramer writes: I found this photo behind a wall in my house in Santa Monica during our recent renovation. I think a director or producer owned the house in the late ’30’s. She may be … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 12 Comments

President to Press for Mideast Peace, Bomb Scare at Lakers Game, February 3, 1969

Posted on February 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

"President Nixon plans to take two moves shortly to obtain an Arab-Israeli peace settlement and improve this country’s relations with the Arabs." When this was written, President Barack Obama was 7 years old; Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was 23; … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | Comments Off on President to Press for Mideast Peace, Bomb Scare at Lakers Game, February 3, 1969

Rock Stars Die in Plane Crash, February 3, 1959

Posted on February 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ritchie Valens’ Roots Los Angeles Times, July 19, 1987 By GREGG BARRIOS WATSONVILLE, Calif. — “I still remember the first time we heard Ritchie sing on the radio,” the mother of the late Latino rock ‘n’ roller Ritchie Valens recalled … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll, San Fernando Valley, Television, Transportation | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — Oviatt’s

Posted on February 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

A bow tie from Oviatt’s has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $6.99.            

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Oviatt’s

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on February 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here’s a period piece listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $38.

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Matt Weinstock — February 2, 1959

Posted on February 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Cadillac Calculus Martin Ragaway, the comedy writer, a few days ago picked up a youth hitching a ride near Fairfax High. The boy appeared depressed, Martin observed after they’d gone a few blocks, and he asked if something were wrong. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Front Pages, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Paul Coates — Confidential File, February 2, 1959

Posted on February 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Really, Has Cuba a Barber Strike? Somebody’s got to say it. And it’s obvious that even the man’s best friend won’t tell him. So I guess, as usual, it’s up to me. I mean about Fidel Castro. He … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates — Confidential File, February 2, 1959

Voices — Christine Collins, August 18, 1932

Posted on February 2, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 2 Comments

2 Die in Midair Plane Crash; Lombardi at USC? February 2, 1959

Posted on February 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Wreckage landed in the 7900 block of East 8th Street, Buena Park.   At left, Officer J.F. Harkan shoots Edwin Kelly, 17, during a stakeout at the RKO Hill Street theater at 8th and Hill. Above, Judy Holliday will appear … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports, Stage, Transportation | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — The Insomniac

Posted on February 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

A poster from the Insomniac, the Hermosa Beach coffee house, has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $49.99. At left, Jack Smith visits the Insomniac, May 1, 1963.

Posted in Music, Nightclubs, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off on Found on EBay — The Insomniac

Voices — Christine Collins, August 17, 1932

Posted on February 1, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 4 Comments

Aragon Suspected of Fixing Fight, February 1, 1959

Posted on February 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Art Aragon in training, Oct. 14, 1949. Art Aragon, the Golden Boy of Los Angeles boxing in the ’40s and ’50s, was in trouble again after apparently winning a fight too easily. The referee of … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Aragon Suspected of Fixing Fight, February 1, 1959

Imagining the Future, 1959

Posted on February 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

The home of the future will have a "television recorder" and a flat-screen TV! And the kids will have microfilm books that can be projected on the ceiling… In all, pretty accurate, but I’m still waiting for "Kukla, Frank and … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Science, Television | 2 Comments

Burbank Installs Time Capsule; Wilt Chamberlain Debuts in L.A., February 1, 1959

Posted on February 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

The people living in 1959 had noble expectations for Burbank: Atomic power! Monorails! I wonder if anyone plans to actually pop it open this week. This is the bridge that spans the Golden State Freeway, the railroad tracks and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Freeways, Front Pages, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on January 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Check out this fabric. Definitely of an era. From the Wynshire department at Bullock’s Wilshire, listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $6.99.

Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment

January 31, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dash Dashes Dreams Among those who went along on American Airlines’ first jet flight to New York a few days ago was this paper’s Bill Thomas. His colleagues felt the event should be commemorated, and as the hour for departure … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on January 31, 1959: Matt Weinstock

January 31, 1959: Paul Coates — Confidential File

Posted on January 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Junks ‘Junk’; Grads Applaud It’s commencement week, but the proudest graduate in Southern California today isn’t from any institution of learning. He went through his ceremony in a shabby Ocean Park store-front dwelling crowded with friends whose combined … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1959, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off on January 31, 1959: Paul Coates — Confidential File

Voices — Christine Collins, August 17, 1932

Posted on January 31, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 3 Comments

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Posted on January 31, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on google7971355090e933b6.html

Company Town

Posted on January 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

You may recall my recent post about lunch with Harry Medved and the continuing quest to determine the name and date of the first film shot entirely in Los Angeles. Val Almendarez, collections archivist at the Academy of Motion Picture … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Company Town