Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

TV game show is faked, player says, LA bids for Olympics, August 29, 1958

Posted on August 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Above, the incident that inspired the 1994 movie "Quiz Show," directed by Robert Redford.  Read Charles Van Doren’s first-person piece about the scandal, "All the Answers," in the New Yorker.     New York Dist. Atty. Frank S. Hogan … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports, Television | Comments Off on TV game show is faked, player says, LA bids for Olympics, August 29, 1958

US relaxes immigration law for Jewish refugees, Greenberg leads Babe Ruth, August 29, 1938

Posted on August 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

I’ve never made a scientific survey, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Eugene Biscailuz were the most photographed sheriff in the history of Los Angeles County. The man certainly knew how to get his picture in the paper. The trophy … Continue reading →

Posted in #games, @news, Countdown to Watts, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on US relaxes immigration law for Jewish refugees, Greenberg leads Babe Ruth, August 29, 1938

August 28, 1958: Intruder kills former actress

Posted on August 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

She is one of those cold cases that leave all kinds of unanswered questions even when the killer is finally caught, convicted and sent to prison. Nothing about it passes the sniff test. We know her name was Helene Funk … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Dodgers, Film, Forest Lawn, Front Pages, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

Voices–Brian Stromsoe

Posted on August 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

Brian Stromsoe writes: I think the Mirror was 5 cents back then. I delivered the Huntington Park Signal, which produced $20 per month for my comic book purchases, and a stop off at Rancher Bill’s for a burger, fries, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Sports | Comments Off on Voices–Brian Stromsoe

August 27,1958: Woman kills husband over singing, Reds win against Dodgers

Posted on August 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

Was Benjamin John Beynon an abusive husband … or just a bad singer? Ben, 46, and his wife of six years, Anne, lived at 1946 1/2 New England Ave., between Hoover and Vermont just south of Washington. For the last … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

Glenn Davis makes debut with the Rams, August 26, 1948

Posted on August 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

By Keith Thursby Times staff writer Glenn Davis was such a star, his debut with the Rams was headline news. Even if the game wasn’t a real game. Davis, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1946 as part of powerhouse … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | 3 Comments

August 26, 1938: LAPD officer accused in bizarre plot to kill neighbors

Posted on August 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

I had to look twice at this one: A suspended police officer hires a couple of men to tunnel to his neighbors’ house? Really? I mean are you serious?

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

Los Angeles history–Ford Amphitheatre

Posted on August 26, 2008 by lmharnisch
Posted in Film, Nuestro Pueblo, Stage | Comments Off on Los Angeles history–Ford Amphitheatre

August 25, 1958: Jealous husband rams movie star’s car, Reds win over Dodgers

Posted on August 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

Some folks may find this hard to believe, but drivers were complaining about bad traffic in Los Angeles 50 years ago. I can’t say it often enough: History shows that congested streets have been a problem in Los Angeles for … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Transportation | 3 Comments

Los Angeles history–Chavez Ravine

Posted on August 25, 2008 by lmharnisch
Posted in Dodgers, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Los Angeles history–Chavez Ravine

Los Angeles Coliseum is dangerous, Rams coach says, August 24, 1958

Posted on August 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

By Keith Thursby Times staff writer The Rams blamed baseball for an injury to one of their players. Ron Waller separated his shoulder when he was tackled on the baseball infield during the second half kickoff of the Rams’ 38-10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Los Angeles Coliseum is dangerous, Rams coach says, August 24, 1958

LAPD officers accused of beating, August 24, 1938

Posted on August 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, another editorial in The Times’ well-worn tradition of asking: "What’s all the fuss I hear about … recalling the corrupt mayor … a federal anti-lynching law … opening up America to the refugees of Europe? We don’t need to … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Robberies, Stage | Comments Off on LAPD officers accused of beating, August 24, 1938

Ladies in Black visit tomb of Valentino

Posted on August 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Here’s the earliest photograph I could find of a Lady in Black mourning Rudolph Valentino, Aug. 23, 1937, 11 years after the movie star’s death. In the first few years, memorial services were held on … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 3 Comments

Valentino near death, August 23, 1926

Posted on August 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Ladies in Black, you know what to do….

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Couple found dead in pool, August 23, 1958

Posted on August 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

August 23, 1958 We’re parked outside the home at 322 Arbolada Drive, Arcadia. It’s early morning and everything is quiet. Nice place, isn’t it? Built in 1951. You’d never guess, but one spring day a few years ago, a college … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Suicide | 1 Comment

November 26, 1904: UFO over Los Angeles

Posted on August 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

No, the object at left is not a flying saucer on a stick. It is, in fact, Los Angeles’ earliest attempt at street lighting in which carbon arc lights were mounted on tall poles around the city. This one was … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, Politics, Science, UFOs | Comments Off on November 26, 1904: UFO over Los Angeles

A higher plane

Posted on August 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

e at the Daily Mirror have been taken to task by an anonymous commenter (an SBC Global subscriber ISP 75.50.124.114) for focusing on "crap"  rather than more intellectually stimulating fare. Anon@yahoo.com (I tend to suspect this is a pseudonym, though … Continue reading →

Posted in books | Comments Off on A higher plane

Los Angeles history: Bunker Hill

Posted on August 22, 2008 by lmharnisch
Posted in Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Los Angeles history: Bunker Hill

Former mayor may enter recall race, Cubs win over Pirates, August 22, 1938

Posted on August 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, more proof, as if any were needed, that bad traffic is nothing new in Los Angeles. Note the traffic island in the center of the drawing, which is where people waited to board a streetcar. Voila! A 70-year-old attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Downtown, Freeways, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Former mayor may enter recall race, Cubs win over Pirates, August 22, 1938

Police kill man, rock ‘n’ roll, Dodgers win, August 21, 1958

Posted on August 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Hula Hoops and Dick Clark at the Hollywood Bowl (with Rod McKuen!) Jan and Arnie ("Jennie Lee," "The Beat That Can’t Be Beat")? The Six Teens ("A Casual Look")? These are not names that are familiar to me. Hey … Continue reading →

Posted in #games, @news, Countdown to Watts, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | 2 Comments