Category Archives: Black Dahlia

Black Dahlia: Annual Halloween Reminder

Posted on September 18, 2018 by lmharnisch

Somewhere, somebody is already thinking about a Black Dahlia costume for Halloween, so here is my annual reminder: Dressing up like the victim of a grotesque murder is not the look you want. Please rethink your choices. Thanks.

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Brian De Palma’s ‘The Black Dahlia’

Posted on September 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Further note: Rotten Tomatoes, gives this film 32% on the Tomatometer. “The Black Dahlia,” directed by Brian De Palma, screenplay by Josh Friedman based on the novel by James Ellroy. Starring Josh … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Zoot Suit | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sept. 11, 1907: In Praise of the Corset for the ‘Woman Who Weighs a Ton’

Posted on September 11, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 11, 1907 Direct Wire From New York Wow! Now this is the kind of quote one simply doesn’t see every day, at least in the 21st century. The Victorians certainly had … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Fashions, LAPD, Streetcars | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: EBay Avenger

Posted on September 10, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. OK, I’ve had my fun with Ellroy’s copies of the “Avenger” books. The hardback stands at $38 and the paperback at $29. Despite my minimum bids, there is always the risk that … Continue reading →

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James Ellroy: ‘Don’t Anybody Say the Name Steve Hodel’

Posted on September 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. An incredibly curious thing happened yesterday. I’ve been taping segments for an “America’s Most Wanted” episode on the Black Dahlia and the producer called to see if they could get some shots … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Black Dahlia: Steve Hodel, James Ellroy and EBay: Outbid!

Posted on September 6, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Gosh, I upped my bid on James Ellroy’s copies of “Black Dahlia Avenger” (the hardback and paperback) but was outbid. Darn. I’m going to do my best to get them over $25, … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: More Steve Hodel, James Ellroy and EBay

Posted on September 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. I couldn’t stand the thought of James Ellroy’s copies of “Black Dahlia Avenger” going for so little on EBay. After all, don’t people know the book has been optioned by New Line … Continue reading →

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Sept. 5, 1907: Young Cecil Moore Explores L.A., One Step Ahead of the Law

Posted on September 5, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 5, 1907 Los Angeles Poor old Mrs. Moore was ill, so instead of paying the grocer his monthly bill, she put a $10 gold piece in an envelope and told her … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia Avenger: From Steve Hodel to James Ellroy to EBay

Posted on September 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. My goodness, one never knows what will turn up on Ebay. This morning I found a copy of “Black Dahlia Avenger” inscribed by Steve Hodel to James Ellroy, who wrote the introduction … Continue reading →

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Aug. 30, 1907: Rabbi Leads Campaign to Open Hebrew University in L.A.

Posted on August 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Aug. 30, 1907 Los Angeles Led by Rabbi Alfred Arndt of Congregation Beth Israel, the local Jewish community hopes to open what The Times describes as “the only Hebrew university within the … Continue reading →

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Aug. 27, 1907: Undertaker Sent Home as Minister Survives Suicide Attempt

Posted on August 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Manhattan Beach Aug. 27, 1907 Retired Episcopal minister the Rev. John Jewett, 83, wanted to die, so while staying with his son-in-law, J.D. Porter, he slit his throat with a razor. The … Continue reading →

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Aug. 25, 1947: Police Investigate Death of Doctor’

Posted on August 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. A doctor and a mysterious death—of course, Dr. Manuel de J. Castillo came under suspicion, although I suspect it was only briefly—in the Black Dahlia case. … Continue reading →

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Aug. 23, 1907: Motoring to Yale, L.A. Student Averages 29 Miles Per Day

Posted on August 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. William Renwick, recent graduate of Pomona College, was to attend Yale in the fall, and rather than more mundane modes of travel decided to head East by auto in what he hoped … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Drag Ball Planned for the Avodon Ballroom in DTLA

Posted on August 16, 2018 by lmharnisch

The site of the Avodon Ballroom at 843 S. Spring St., via Google Street View.  Aug. 14, 1947: A drag ball is planned for the Avodon Ballroom, 843 S. Spring St. Although the Sentinel didn’t follow up on the event, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Dance, Downtown, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Aug. 7, 1907: Too Late for Wife to Repent Marriage to Abusive Husband, Judge Rules

Posted on August 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Aug. 7, 1907 Los Angeles He swore at her and told her to go to hell. He rarely worked and only helped her run their boarding house when he felt like … Continue reading →

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Aug. 4, 1907: Galveston Plan Brings Russian Jews to Southwestern U.S.

Posted on August 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Aug. 4, 1907 Galveston, Texas The Times reports on the Jewish Territorial Organization headed by author and playwright Israel Zangwill and banker Jacob Schiff to help Jews fleeing persecution in Russia.

Posted in 1907, 1914, Black Dahlia, Immigration, Religion, Streetcars | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

July 28, 1947: Free Horoscope for Your DOG!

Posted on July 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and appeared on the 1947project. July 29 is Elizabeth Short’s birthday—she would have been 81. Although horoscopes were a regular feature in the Examiner in the 1940s, The Times didn’t begun running … Continue reading →

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July 27, 1947: Chinese Author Visits Dr. George Hodel,

Posted on July 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. “Knowledge is desirable, but learning is pleasure.” That is one of the sayings of Author Helena Kuo, who came a long way from her native China … Continue reading →

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July 27, 1907: Mayor Harper Calls for More LAPD Officers, New Library, More Schools

Posted on July 27, 2018 by lmharnisch

Above, Mayor Harper’s goals for his administration. Note especially item No. 11–more police officers–and item No. 17: new schools. Note: This is an encore post from 2006. July 27, 1907 Los Angeles One of Mayor Harper’s promises in taking over … Continue reading →

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July 25, 1907: Fire Burns Foothill Bridge, Main Route From Monrovia to L.A.

Posted on July 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. July 25, 1907 Arcadia, Calif. Despite the efforts of 75 volunteer firefighters, a blaze rapidly consumed a 150-foot wooden bridge on Foothill Boulevard over the Santa Anita between Arcadia and Monrovia.

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