Category Archives: Books and Authors

L.A. Noir: Will Someone Please Get the New York Times a Map of Los Angeles?

Posted on October 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

The New York Times has published a “guide” to “Where Noir Lives in the City of Angels.” With text by Gal Beckerman. And take a good look at the graphic by Ross MacDonald (no, not that Ross MacDonald; he’s dead). … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, New York | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Coming Attractions: Celebrating the Reopening of the Central Library

Posted on October 11, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Los Angeles Central Library, courtesy of the library. Los Angeles is celebrating one of its great treasures – the Central Library – this weekend on the 25th anniversary of its reopening in October 1993, seven years after a devastating … Continue reading →

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Oct. 3, 1947: Full House – Burglar Slips In on Mystery Writer’s Poker Game

Posted on October 3, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Reddest face in town yesterday belonged to Charles Bennett, writer of screen mysteries in which the brilliant detective always catches the crook. Seems that he had … Continue reading →

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Oct. 1, 1947: Meet Matt Weinstock, Author of ‘My L.A.’

Posted on October 1, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Everybody’s parents or grandparents seem to have purchased this little red-bound book with the blue title on the spine. There was a time when you could … Continue reading →

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Sept. 30, 1907: The Quick Brown Fox and Friends From A to Z

Posted on September 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 30, 1907 Los Angeles Who says research can’t be any fun? I wonder what the WCTU would say about five dozen liquor jugs. Dr. J.Z. Quack? Not a reassuring name, is … Continue reading →

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Sept. 28, 1947: City Librarian Althea Warren Announces Retirement

Posted on September 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. “Now I can catch up with my reading!” So does Miss Althea Warren—surrounded by 1,811,000 books—regard her retirement next Wednesday as city librarian of Los Angeles. … Continue reading →

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Sept. 24, 1907: A Poem on the First Day in L.A.

Posted on September 24, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 24, 1907 Los Angeles A First Day in Los Angeles Roving, roving, ever restless, drifting On from strand to strand. Have I seen the years slip by me, Seeking for the … Continue reading →

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Sept. 23, 1947: Janet Flanner, The New Yorker’s ‘Genet,’ Visits L.A .

Posted on September 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Janet Flanner, during her many years in Paris as European correspondent for the New Yorker magazine, picked up the French love of epigrams. Genet, as she … Continue reading →

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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. 12, 1947: L.A. Times Columnist Lee Shippey

Posted on September 12, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Henry R. Wagner of San Marino will be 85 years old Sept. 27 but the Zamorano Club couldn’t wait that long. In order to surprise Dr. … Continue reading →

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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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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Sessue Hayakawa, Author

Posted on September 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sessue Hayakawa in Cine Mundial. Long renowned as one of the most mesmerizing, exotic actors of the silent screen, Sessue Hayakawa and his piercing eyes and sensual mouth stole women’s attentions and minds. Born in Japan, the son of aristocratic … 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 →

Posted in 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Education, Religion, Streetcars | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Aug. 30, 1907: Rabbi Leads Campaign to Open Hebrew University in L.A.

Raymond Chandler Was 5-9, in Case You Ever Need to Know

Posted on August 29, 2018 by lmharnisch
Posted in 1917, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, World War I | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments