Category Archives: art and artists

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

          Aug. 27, 1975: The Times adds "The Circus of P.T. Bimbo," a short-lived comic that is just as dumb as it sounds. Plus "Doonesbury," "Mary Worth," "Momma" and "Broom-Hilda."

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

         Aug. 26, 1974: Here's a real slice of the 1970s — "Tank McNamara" and a redesigned "Lolly." "Lolly" was an old 1950s strip that had undergone several incarnations at this point and although the fashions have been … Continue reading →

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Saving the Watts Towers

Posted on August 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Simon Rodia (or Rodilla as The Times referred to him in early stories) with his creation in 1952. By Devon McReynolds On a recent smoldering Tuesday afternoon, I visited the Watts Towers for the … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — Batchelder Pot

Posted on August 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

We usually associate the Batchelder name with tile, although the Los Angeles company also produced ceramic items such as bookends. Here's a Batchelder pot that has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $200.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

      Aug. 25, 1973: The Times continues to alter its comics lineup, eliminating "Dark Shadows" and adding Jack Moore's "Kelly." Notice the much more sophisticated draftsmanship in "Doonesbury," compared with the panels two years earlier.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

       Aug. 24, 1972: "Momma" and "Broom-Hilda."

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 23, 1971: On a dark day in May 1971, The Times changed its comics lineup, keeping the crudely drawn and unfunny "Momma" while eliminating "Nancy" to make way for something called "Doonesbury." Note "Dark Shadows" and "Friday Foster," … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 22, 1970:  Some people dismiss Ernie Bushmiller because he portrayed the everyday human comedy rather than events of the day. Then again, being topical isn't always a good idea: Here we have a panel crowded with dialogue and … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics | 3 Comments

Hawaii Becomes 50th State; Redskins Beat Rams

Posted on August 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 22, 1959: The Redskins beat the Rams in The Times annual charity game ,,, Sir Thomas Beecham, 80, marries his 27-year-old secretary … and Hawaii officially becomes the 50th state. The House Un-American Activities Committee cancels hearings on communist … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, art and artists, broadcasting, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

Artist’s Notebook — Olvera Street

Posted on August 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Olvera Street by Marion Eisenmann, Aug. 8, 2009 To visit the old Plaza is to stand at the crossroads of the city's past and present — and maybe even its future. I wonder what the preservationists who envisioned "a Mexican … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Downtown, Marion Eisenmann, Music, Nuestro Pueblo, Religion | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Batchelder Tile

Posted on August 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

This Batchelder tile of a peacock has been listed on EBay. This is evidently one of the more unusual designs — at least I've never seen it before. Bidding starts at $99.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 21, 1969:  We can only speculate on what brought about a sudden transformation in Ernie Bushmiller's style. Perhaps it's the influence of the sexual revolution of the 1960s, Bushmiller portrays a romantic moment between Nancy and Sluggo as … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 20, 1968:  In addition to not getting credit as an environmentalist, Ernie Bushmiller is usually ignored for his pioneering role in the Internet. But here we have conclusive proof that he anticipated the e-mail spam folder.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 19, 1966: This is not the first time we have seen Ernie Bushmiller's concern for the environment. Recall his earlier panel on recycling. I'm not sure he has gotten adequate credit as an environmentalist.    

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Found on EBay — Batchelder Tile

Posted on August 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

This rather remarkable Batchelder tile of St. George and the dragon has been listed on EBay. It's got a fairly big nick, so I'm not sure you'd want to buy it (especially with bids starting at $100) but I'm posting … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Aug. 18, 1965: I will leave it to others to delve into the aesthetics of "Nancy" and muse on the inevitable changes in Ernie Bushmiller's style over the years. Still, these 1960s panels seem a bit more static … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on August 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Here's a real period piece on EBay: A  ceramic sculpture of a Great Dane, sold at Bullock's Wilshire about 1960. It's a large ceramic (32 inches) that's been been chipped and repaired. Bidding starts at $850, which seems pricey. This … Continue reading →

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Artist’s Notebook — Union Station

Posted on August 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Union Station by Marion Eisenmann, Aug, 8, 2009 Marion sends her impressions of Union Station, the crossroads for countless travelers since it opened in 1939. Think of how many people have rushed through the station to catch their train — … Continue reading →

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Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on August 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 14, 1939: The Camino Real bells.

Posted in art and artists, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Les Paul, 1915 – 2009

Posted on August 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Solid-Body Legend Plagued by arthritis, Les Paul acknowledges that his playing days are probably numbered, but new releases will preserve his work  November 24, 1991 By MICHAEL WALKER, Michael Walker is a free-lance writer based in New York. NEW YORK … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, art and artists, Blues, broadcasting, Music, Obituaries, Rock 'n' Roll | 3 Comments