Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Matt Weinstock — January 20, 1959

Posted on January 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Worried Ad Men Some earnest men in the advertising business are concerned about the derogatory image of their profession that has been created in the public mind and quietly are running it up on the flagpole to see who salutes. … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 20, 1959

Posted on January 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE U.S. ‘Big Stick’ Attitude Deplored Fidel Castro, the bearded boy wonder of Cuba, has been sassing his kindly, benevolent, slightly wealthy Uncle Sam lately. Young Fidel has taken it as a personal insult that a few of our … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Columnists, Paul Coates, Politics | 1 Comment

February 2, 1932: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on January 20, 2009 by lmharnisch
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President takes oath of office, 1909

Posted on January 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Bain News Service via Library of Congress President Taft visits Los Angeles, c. Oct. 11, 1909. "No inaugural address of recent years has won such great success." Someone at The Times had a sense of humor to talk about putting … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Politics | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on January 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

These shoes (Julianelli for Bullock’s Wilshire) have been listed on EBay. Bids start at $9.99. I don’t normally pay that much attention to women’s shoes, but these did the trick.

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

January 19, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Life in Beverly Hills During a lavish party in a Beverly Hills home the host guided a group of guests to a huge shelfful of glassware in the trophy room. “Of course you know about Bruges glass,” he said proudly. … Continue reading →

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January 19, 1959: Paul Coates — Confidential File

Posted on January 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Way Out Back, a Head of Hair See that picture down the column a few lines? The one of the smiling, bushy-haired boy? That’s me. I’ll concede that it wasn’t taken yesterday. But if you want to get … Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, December 24, 1931

Posted on January 19, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on Voices — Christine Collins, December 24, 1931

Historic Images of Los Angeles on Flickr

Posted on January 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

This is my new favorite thing: The Library of Congress’ Flickr account with thousands of photos such as the panorama of flying officers at Love Field, Texas, Aug. 20, 1918. And this is the first all-woman jury in Los Angeles, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Transportation | Comments Off on Historic Images of Los Angeles on Flickr

We’re looking for Butch Harris

Posted on January 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Many people have written to the Daily Mirror asking "What happened to Butch Harris?" or "Did he finally get into the Cub Scouts?" At this point, we don’t know. Here’s the background. Recently, the Daily Mirror got a UCLA intern … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on We’re looking for Butch Harris

Found on EBay — Batchelder tile

Posted on January 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here’s a Batchelder tile of two birds, listed on EBay. Bids start at $120. Note: Before you spend any serious money on EBay, always check the item and the vendor carefully.

Posted in art and artists, Real Estate | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Batchelder tile

December 14, 1931: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on January 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “I have tried real hard to secure some kind of employment for my husband…”

Posted in #courts, 1931, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on December 14, 1931: Voices — Christine Collins

Jerry Lewis Plays First Base for Dodgers, January 18, 1959

Posted on January 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

I’m sure there’s a joke here someplace. The Times’ political power broker Kyle Palmer writes a glowing piece about biographies of Eisenhower and Nixon.    On the comics page, Stephen F. Austin straightens out some pesky Indians and Delilah gets … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | Comments Off on Jerry Lewis Plays First Base for Dodgers, January 18, 1959

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on January 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

“I have in mind a man who is now legally 55 years old who has used olive oil and distilled water internally and externally for a few years and has so far regained youth and vigor that he looks not … Continue reading →

Posted in books, health | 2 Comments

December 10,1958: White mothers bar black child from Cub Scouts

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Who Wants to Kick Little Butch Harris? This is a personal column. Personal to a group of young mothers who probably consider themselves pretty typical American parents. They’re the mothers of 8, 9 and 10-year-old Cub Scouts in Thunderbird Pack … Continue reading →

Posted in 1958, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock — January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Only in L.A. Last week it was John Keats telling everyone what was wrong with Los Angeles. He didn’t like the place at all. He described it as "a vast sprawling slum . . . an incredible clutter without political … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Mash Notes and Comments "Dear Paul Coates, "I am writing to you– "(1) Because I received a beautiful portable typewriter for Christmas; "(2) I have written to all my relatives and friends who live more than five miles … Continue reading →

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Movie star mystery photo

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times photo Our mystery star has more than 100 credits on imdb. Update: These are pictures from the 1936 trial over the custody of Marilyn Astor Thorpe. Mary Astor charged that her ex-husband, Franklyn, wasn’t a fit parent … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystery Photo | 29 Comments

Black Lakers players barred from white hotel, January 17, 1959

Posted on January 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times reports that detention facilities for juvenile girls is badly overcrowded but doesn’t really address the reason, merely saying that the rapid increase in Southern California’s population and lack of room at state facilities are to blame. But why … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here’s a real period piece from Bullock’s Wilshire. The vendor, alas, did not include a photo of the label. It’s listed on EBay with bids starting at $19.99.

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