Category Archives: Books and Authors

The Case of the Writer’s Suitcase

Posted on October 26, 2011 by lmharnisch

A suitcase from J.W. Robinson’s has been listed on EBay and the vendor says it belonged to popular mystery writer Erle Stanley Gardner (note the E.S.G. monogram). Bidding starts at $55.

Posted in Books and Authors, Found on EBay | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – ‘For the Life of Me’

Posted on October 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

A copy of Jim Richardson’s flawed autobiography “For the Life of Me” has been listed on EBay. Richardson was the notorious city editor of the Examiner who orchestrated its coverage of the Black Dahlia case. He was legendary for his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Film, Found on EBay, Hollywood | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Suspect in After-Hours Sex at Museum: ‘I Get Around’

Posted on October 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Image: The Charleston Museum, where Michael L. Miller was arrested on charge of having sex at 3 a.m. Neale Gulley of Reuters reports that the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum in Buffalo, N.Y., is building Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1927 design … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Food and Drink, Museums, Music, Native Americans, Preservation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Suspect in After-Hours Sex at Museum: ‘I Get Around’

Found on EBay – 1910 Times Bombing

Posted on October 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

W.W. Robinson is probably my favorite Los Angeles historian. He isn’t as flashy as some writers but he is scrupulously accurate – and that counts for a lot. “Bombs and Bribery” is a small volume on the 1910 Times bombing … Continue reading →

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Steve Hodel and James Ellroy

Posted on October 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Images: James Ellroy’s inscribed copies of “Black Dahlia Avenger” are sold on EBay. Classy, no? Several people have written to me about James Ellroy’s onetime support of Steve Hodel and the whole “Black Dahlia Avenger” nonsense. Here’s the story: I … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Franchot Tone Marries Jean Wallace, 1941

Posted on October 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

Oct. 19, 1941: Franchot Tone marries Jean Wallace in Yuma, Ariz. Wallace and Tone divorced in 1948 and in 1951 Tone was badly injured in a fight with Tom Neal at the home of Tone’s ex-fiancee, actress Barbara Payton. Tom … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Tom Treanor | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Franchot Tone Marries Jean Wallace, 1941

Black Dahlia Scavenger

Posted on October 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

“Black Dahlia Avenger” CSI forensics edition! I was in Vroman’s in Pasadena, my favorite independent bookstore, and when I wandered by the “true” crime section, I noticed that Steve Hodel’s “Black Dahlia Avenger” was – rather quaintly, I thought — … Continue reading →

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

Parole Rejected for ‘Onion Field’ Killer

Posted on October 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

The Board of Parole Hearings has recommended against releasing Gregory Powell, who was convicted in the 1963 “Onion Field” killing of Officer Ian Campbell. Powell, who has prostate cancer, was seeking a compassionate release, reserved for inmates with serious illnesses. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1963, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Coming Attractions: ‘Spencer Tracy: A Biography’

Posted on October 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

The Daily Mirror HQ just acquired “Spencer Tracy: A Biography,” by James Curtis, who recently shared his Dick Lane interview in L.A. Voices. The book isn’t officially out yet, but James did a prerelease book signing last week in conjunction … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, James Curtis, L.A. Voices | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

Posted on October 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Rolls-Royce hearse at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Credit: Larry Harnisch/LADailyMirror.com Queen of the Dead—dateline October 10, 2011  •  Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans were saddened to learn this week of the death on May 25 of musical-comedy starlet Betty Luster, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Eve Golden, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Obituaries, Queen of the Dead, Television | Tagged , | Comments Off on Eve Golden: Queen of the Dead

The Best Books on L.A.

Posted on October 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: “Los Angeles,” by Morrow Mayo. Credit: Larry Harnisch/LADailyMirror.com Earlier this year, I queried readers about the best books on Los Angeles. It was interesting to see how many people suggested novels – by Raymond Chandler and John Fante – … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, History, Libraries | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Found on EBay – Chinatown Wishing Well

Posted on October 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

This image of a wishing well on Broadway in Chinatown built by professor Henry K. Liu has been listed on EBay. If you have looked at Charles Owens and Joe Seewerker’s “Nuestro Pueblo,” (which you really should) you might recall … Continue reading →

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Main Street Revisited

Posted on September 29, 2011 by lmharnisch

I picked up “A Southern California Album: Selected Photographs, 1880-1900” at the Last Bookstore the other day and was pleased to discover a number of pictures by C.C. Pierce, including this shot of Main Street looking south from 3rd Street … Continue reading →

Posted in 1880, 1900, Books and Authors, Downtown, Photography, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Louis Adamic: Cecil B. DeMille – Movie Evangelist

Posted on September 27, 2011 by lmharnisch

The Daily Mirror HQ recently acquired the October 1927 issue of Haldeman-Julius Monthly, which includes Louis Adamic’s “Cecil B. DeMille – Movie Evangelist.” Join him for the premiere of “The King of Kings” the first film shown at Grauman’s Chinese … Continue reading →

Posted in 1927, Architecture, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Religion, Theaters | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Silver Lake Hammer Murder – Part 3

Posted on September 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Sept. 19, 1941: Valverda Booth visits her husband, Ernest Booth, while he is in custody in the Silver Lake Hammer Murder of heiress Florence Stricker. Is there anything more delightful to the heart of a research drudge than a notice … Continue reading →

Posted in 1927, 1929, 1941, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Libraries | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Found on EBay – ‘Thicker’n Thieves’

Posted on September 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

Every so often, Charles Stoker’s “Thicker’n Thieves shows up on EBay for way too much money. There was a time when you could pick up a copy for $8 or $10 in almost any used book store in Los Angeles … Continue reading →

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British Library Digitizes Lewis Carroll’s Original ‘Alice’

Posted on September 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

Image: Page 37 of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures Under Ground,” digitized by the British Library. Henry Chu writes a nondupe in the Los Angeles Times about unsuccessful attempts to gain access to Scotland Yard’s records in the Jack the Ripper … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Immigration, Libraries, Museums | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – J.D. Salinger Note

Posted on September 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

This note attributed to J.D. Salinger has been listed on EBay. As with anything on EBay, an item and vendor should be thoroughly evaluated before submitting a bid. The note is listed as Buy It Now for $50,000.

Posted in Books and Authors, Found on EBay | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Hasbro Cooking … Without a Light Bulb

Posted on September 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Hasbro Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven. Credit: Hasbro. Many people have wondered what would become of Hasbro’s Easy-Bake oven with the demise of the incandescent light bulb. The answer is a complete redesign with a heating element. Associated Press via Washington … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Food and Drink, Museums, Music, Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Coming Attractions: Cheryl Crane

Posted on September 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Cheryl Crane and Lana Turner in court. Credit: Los Angeles Examiner collection, USC. April 5, 1958: Cheryl Crane is held in the death of Johnny Stompanato. Mary Mallory points out that Cheryl Crane will be discussing her new book, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1958, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , | 1 Comment