Category Archives: 1949

LAPD Scrapbook: Los Angeles Crime Down for 1948

Posted on March 21, 2014 by lmharnisch

January-February 1949 Here’s another item from the LAPD scrapbooks at the city archives: Los Angeles records a decrease in crime for 1948 compared to 1947, according to figures in the Pacific Coast International Law Enforcement News.

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LAPD Scrapbook: Gangster Squad Abolished, Los Angeles Herald-Express, Oct. 6, 1949

Posted on March 20, 2014 by lmharnisch

Oct. 6, 1949 Here’s another item from the LAPD scrapbooks at the city archives: The police chief is William A. Worton (are you paying attention, everybody who thinks William Parker was chief in 1949? especially you, Will Beall, writer of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

LAPD Mourns First Latina Officer Josephine Serrano Collier

Posted on March 20, 2014 by lmharnisch

Josephine Serrano Collier, courtesy LAPD. The LAPD is honoring the memory of Officer Josephine Serrano Collier, who died last month at the age of 91 in Tucson. The LAPD says she was its first Latina officer. Here she is in … Continue reading →

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LAPD Scrapbook: Convict Describes Killing by L.A. Cop, Daily News, June 7, 1949

Posted on March 19, 2014 by lmharnisch

Here’s another front page that was saved in the LAPD scrapbooks at the city archives. This is the Daily News from June 7, 1949. Notice the bizarre byline: Will O’Wisp. I can’t recall seeing a fake byline on a news … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

LAPD Scrapbook: June 16, 1949

Posted on March 18, 2014 by lmharnisch

I recently visited the city archives and thanks to archivist Michael Holland, I learned that the LAPD kept scrapbooks in the 1940s. Not all years are represented, unfortunately, but the department apparently subscribed to a clipping service at one point. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, LAPD, Libraries | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

‘The Fountainhead’ Comics

Posted on March 10, 2014 by lmharnisch

Here’s a little sample of what I found while going through the Police Commission and Police Department materials from the 1940s at the city archives. Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”  was serialized and accompanied by these illustrations by Frank Godwin.

Posted in 1949, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Christmas on the Radio — ‘Fibber McGee and Molly’

Posted on December 22, 2013 by lmharnisch

A photo of Fibber McGee (Jim Jordan) and Molly (Marian Jordan) listed on EBay at $9.99. While we are twirling the radio dial looking for Christmas shows, here are some episodes from “Fibber McGee and Molly.” From 1941 (Dec. 16, … Continue reading →

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Christmas on the Radio — Dragnet ‘.22 Rifle for Christmas’

Posted on December 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

From the radio version of “Dragnet,” Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough) on the case of a missing 9-year-old boy in “.22 Rifle for Christmas.” From 1949 | From 1950 | From 1951 | From 1952 (with … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, LAPD, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 10, 2013 by lmharnisch

You might have to hunt a bit for Don Normark’s 1999 book “Chavez Ravine, 1949,” but your search will be rewarded. The photos are terrific and the residents’ recollections make the book even better. Copies can be found via bookfinder.com.

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Before You Watch ‘Mob City’ — Bugsy Siegel, Mickey Cohen and Chief Parker

Posted on December 4, 2013 by lmharnisch

Before you watch TNT’s “Mob City” tonight, read these items from The Times about what Police Capt. William H. Parker was actually doing in the 1940s. Parker served in the Army during World War II and was discharged in November … Continue reading →

Posted in 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, Hollywood, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Found on EBay – Masterpiece of 1940s Kitsch!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

This kitsch masterpiece from the 1940s has turned up on EBay. This is one of the Abbotwares radios, which were made in Los Angeles. Abbotwares produced a whole series of these bronze figurines with radios, but my favorite is the … Continue reading →

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‘Gangster Squad’: Fail — Part 3

Posted on May 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

In responding to my post on “Gangster Squad,” Earl Boebert raised the interesting question about whether officers used a one-handed or two-handed grip in the 1940s. For comparison, here’s a picture from Jack Webb’s “The Badge” (1958) showing LAPD cadets … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1958, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 9 Comments

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail — Part 2 (Updated)

Posted on May 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

“Inspired by a True Story” is movie shorthand for “what you’re about to see is all b.s.” Much against my better judgment, I forced myself to watch “Gangster Squad” again when it came out on DVD and “on demand.” Not … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Was Coleman Harris From ‘Gangster Squad’ a Real Person?

Posted on May 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

Josh Brolin, left, as Sgt. John O’Mara with Anthony Mackie as Officer Coleman Harris in “Gangster Squad.” Drinking in uniform in a nightclub while on duty? I don’t think so. Now that “Gangster Squad” is out on DVD and available … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail – Part 1

Posted on January 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

Uh-oh. Nobody should be surprised — least of all Warner Bros. — that  “Gangster Squad” is a terrible movie. Anyone who saw the trailers or heard the industry gossip knew that it was going to be dreadful. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Fashion, Fashions, Film, History, Hollywood, LAPD, Mickey Cohen | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Black Dahlia Exhibit – Leslie Dillon

Posted on May 1, 2012 by lmharnisch

This is one of the 1949 photos of Leslie Dillon displayed in the Black Dahlia exhibit at the Los Angeles Police Historical Society. In case you don’t recall, Dillon is the fellow who contacted LAPD psychiatrist J. Paul DeRiver after … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD, Museums | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Coming Attractions: ‘Of Scrap and Steel’

Posted on October 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

June 18, 1949: “Of Scrap and Steel” is shown at the Union Rescue Mission. Aug. 2, 1952: “Of Scrap and Steel” is shown at San Gabriel Union Church. March 26, 1960: “Of Scrap and Steel” is shown at the Church … Continue reading →

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San Francisco Clinic Cures ‘Bad Girls’

Posted on April 27, 2011 by lmharnisch

    April 10, 1949: A San Francisco "promiscuity clinic" is working to treat "bad girls." No, really! After citing some terrifying statistics (68% of U.S. brides are not virgins!) Howard Whitman profiles the Psychiatric Service of the San Francisco … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, health | 1 Comment

Chuck Hillinger, RIP

Posted on April 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

July 16, 1949 April 15, 1952   March 2, 1958 Charles Hillinger and photographer Bruce Cox try to raft the Los Angeles River. May 2, 1960 Feb. 25, 1970Redmond, Ore.     Feb. 4, 1985Omaha, Neb. By Charles HillingerTimes Staff … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1952, 1958, 1960, 1970, 1985, 1991, @news | Tagged | 17 Comments

Mickey Cohen’s Cadillac

Posted on November 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

Would you like to see another picture of Mickey Cohen with one of his Cadillacs? Of course you would! This one is a bit mysterious. This is the Cadillac that took a few shots in 1949 outside Sherry's on the … Continue reading →

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