Author Archives: lmharnisch

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

13 Die When B-25 Hits Empire State Building, July 29, 1945

Posted on July 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 29, 1945: Newspaper coverage of a B-25 bomber hitting the Empire State Building. Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on 13 Die When B-25 Hits Empire State Building, July 29, 1945

Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is August 5

Posted on July 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I will be doing a live Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case on YouTube next Tuesday, August 5, at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Have questions? Leave them in the comments. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Coming Attractions | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reminder – My Next ‘Ask Me Anything’ on the Black Dahlia Case Is August 5

Midnight Show at the Follies Burlesque — July 29, 1939

Posted on July 29, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 29, 1939: Someone caught the midnight show at the Follies Burlesque and saw Betty Rowland, the “Ball of Fire.” Continue reading →

Posted in 1939, Downtown, Theaters | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Midnight Show at the Follies Burlesque — July 29, 1939

Matt Weinstock, July 28, 1959

Posted on July 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 28, 1959: Columnist Matt Weinstock writes that insurance companies raising the rates of drivers who get too many moving violations. Also, a Van Nuys high school teacher is in trouble for giving students an “immoral sex survey” after another teacher already conducted the survey. “We know all the answers already,” one student said. Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, July 28, 1959

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 28, 1959

Posted on July 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 28, 1959: Columnist Paul Coates writes about hospitals turning away patients without treatment if they couldn’t pay and didn’t have proof of insurance. Also stripper Candy Barr on the Sunset Strip and Dear Abby on a woman’s parents who are fighting after 44 years of marriage. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 28, 1959

July 28, 1947: Free Horoscope for Your DOG!

Posted on July 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 28, 1947: The Los Angeles Times doesn’t publish a daily horoscope — but you can get a free one for your dog! And The Times publishes a daily Bible verse on its editorial page (discontinued October 23, 1970). An encore post from the 1947project in 2005. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Animals, Black Dahlia | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on July 28, 1947: Free Horoscope for Your DOG!

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on July 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have our mysterious leading lady, as see from the back. Continue reading →

Posted in 1939, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Norvell, Astrologer to the Stars

Posted on July 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory writes about astrologer to the stars Anthony Norvell. Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Norvell, Astrologer to the Stars

July 28, 1907: L.A. Seeks to Clear Books of Old Laws on Bear Baiting, Quail Hunting by Streetcar Conductors

Posted on July 28, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 28, 1907: Los Angeles seeks to rid itself of outdated laws like hunting rabbits on Spring Street or conductors abandoning their streetcars to go quail hunting at the end of the line. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Animals, City Hall, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on July 28, 1907: L.A. Seeks to Clear Books of Old Laws on Bear Baiting, Quail Hunting by Streetcar Conductors

Republicans Expand Policy on Civil Rights

Posted on July 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 27, 1960: At the Republican National Convention, Vice President Richard Nixon wins some – but not all – of what he wants on a civil rights plank for his 1960 presidential campaign.

Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater says: “If a liberal civil rights plank is adopted, the South will leave the party this year. I don’t know what Nixon is thinking of. I don’t think he can get elected if he keeps on doing what he is doing.” Continue reading →

Posted in 1960 Republican Convention, Photography, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Republicans Expand Policy on Civil Rights

Matt Weinstock, July 26, 1960

Posted on July 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 26, 1960: Matt Weinstock asks whether standing ovations are necessary. Abby publishes a letter from a widow who had written in asking whether she should remarry. She did! Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, July 26, 1960

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 25, 1959

Posted on July 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 25,1959: Paul Coates writes about a missionary who returned to the U.S. with leprosy. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 25, 1959

Matt Weinstock — July 25, 1959

Posted on July 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1959: Matt Weinstock tells of a writer s adventures in Cuba while working on a film about Fidel Castro. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 5 Comments

Dead Man’s Last Words: ‘Here’s a Good Spot to Shoot, Baby,’ July 25, 1944

Posted on July 25, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1944: William B. Smith’s last words to his angry girlfriend were “Here’s a good spot to shoot, baby,” after he said he was going back to his wife. Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Dead Man’s Last Words: ‘Here’s a Good Spot to Shoot, Baby,’ July 25, 1944

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 24, 1959

Posted on July 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

Paul Coates, July 24, 1959: Tonight Show host Jack Paar says his wife is sexy ‘in a Republican sort of way.’ Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 24, 1959

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: At the Plaza, History Repeats Itself

Posted on July 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory looks at the way history repeats itself at the downtown Plaza, a longtime gathering place, and a hub of protests and free speech. Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: At the Plaza, History Repeats Itself

Matt Weinstock — July 24, 1959

Posted on July 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

Matt Weinstock, July 24, 1959: On the search for Miss U.S.A. of 1957. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock — July 24, 1959

July 24, 1947: Honor Student Vesta Belle Sapenter, 17, Strangled

Posted on July 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 24, 1947: Jefferson High honor student Vesta Belle is found strangled in her bedroom. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on July 24, 1947: Honor Student Vesta Belle Sapenter, 17, Strangled

July 24, 1907: Columbia University Professor Becomes an Explorer of the Occult

Posted on July 24, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 24, 1907: Former Columbia professor James H. Hyslop is trying to raise interest in a scientific approach to psychic research while debunking frauds and fakes. Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Books and Authors, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on July 24, 1907: Columbia University Professor Becomes an Explorer of the Occult

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 23, 1959

Posted on July 23, 2025 by lmharnisch

July 23, 1959: Columnist Paul Coates on trying to interview Simon Rodia about the Watts Towers. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, July 23, 1959