Category Archives: books

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 14, 1941: “The Maltese Falcon” is a surprise hit in New York. It’s interesting to see that not much was expected in the third remake of the film, which has now eclipsed the two previous incarnations. I’ll have … Continue reading →

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October 8, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Hollywood Intellectual Eugene Vale, author of “The Thirteenth Apostle,” lives and works a few blocks from Sunset and Laurel Canyon Blvds., rendezvous of actors, entertainers, agents and horse players, and fountainhead of glib, superficial wisecracks about Hollywood. Yet out of … Continue reading →

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Coming Attractions – Fourth Annual Archives Bazaar

Posted on October 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

  William Dotson of USC sends along a reminder of the fourth annual Archives Bazaar, which will be held Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5  p.m. at USC’s Davidson Conference Center. Admission is free. The bazaar, presented by L.A. … Continue reading →

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October 3, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Matt Weinstock writes of Steve Allen’s concerns about nuclear weapons and Edita Morris’ novel “The Flowers of Hiroshima.”

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White Sox, Reds Prepare for 1919 World Series

Posted on September 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 30, 1919: Keith came over yesterday and said: "Hey, Lorenzo, you know that World Series page you posted is the Black Sox, right?" Actually, I didn't. So we're going to be following the 1919 World Series. Oct. 21, 1977: … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Hollywood, Sports | 2 Comments

September 29,1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

September 29, 1959: Paul Coates on Dorothy Roseborough, a woman who liked to write…

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September 28, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on September 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

September 28, 1959: “They say I have nothing but yes men around me. I don’t operate that way. I know what I know, so I’m interested in what you know. If you don’t tell me what you think, if you … Continue reading →

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George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again III

Posted on September 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above, Page 79, “Most Evil,” by Steve Hodel So far, the majority of votes are against dissecting the problems in “Most Evil,” which is fine with me because it would be almost as much work as debunking John Gilmore’s “Severed,” which … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 8 Comments

September 22, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

September 22, 1959: How the city library saves money in tough times. “Sometimes I think many people only think they think for themselves,” Matt Weinstock says.

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U.S. Tightens Border; DiMaggio and the Angels?

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1969: The U.S. tightens inspections at the border as part of Operation Intercept. And hippies gather at Griffith Park. Akron had everything for the swinging bachelor pad — including armor. Al Capp satirized all sorts of people and … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Parks and Recreation, Sports | 1 Comment

George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again II

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Most Evil,” Page 190, photos shown to support Stevel Hodel’s contention that his father was Zodiac. I turned on the computer this morning, made a pot of coffee and cracked open Steve Hodel’s “Most Evil.” And I sighed. For anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in books, LAPD | 18 Comments

September 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on September 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

September 21, 1959:  “After many months of research and collaboration, writers Harry Essex and Irving Shulman have finished a pre-sold novel based on [Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle’s] life and the sensational scandal that marred it. The title, ‘Fatty.’ ” (This book … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Khrushchev — Postscript

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nikita Khrushchev's memoirs include an interesting anecdote about his stop at San Luis Obispo on the trip to San Francisco. While mingling with people at the train station, he lost a gold medal of Lenin presented by the Society for … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, books, Politics | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Vintage Bongo Drums

Posted on September 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  These vintage Valje bongo drums have been listed on EBay. Perfect for re-creating the mood of the Beats of Venice West. Listed as Buy It Now for $375.

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Coming Attractions — John Buntin

Posted on September 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

John Buntin, author of "L.A. Noir," which has been getting good reviews (I'm still working my way through the book) will be making a personal appearance tonight at 7 at Vroman's in Pasadena. Buntin has spent quite a bit of … Continue reading →

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‘Holy Barbarians’ Revisited

Posted on September 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Coastlines magazine, Spring-Summer 1958, with a cover story on LSD. Note: In late June and early July, I wrote about Lawrence Lipton's 1959 book on the beatniks of Venice West, "Holy Barbarians." I was particularly interested in the account of … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, art and artists, books, Music, Venice Division | 1 Comment

Voices — Dominick Dunne, 1925 – 2009

Posted on August 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times / August 7, 2001 Dominick Dunne gestures during an introduction before reading to a small group of people from his book "Justice: Crimes, Trials and Punishments" at a Beverly Hills hotel. Dominick Dunne's Dangerous … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Angeles Abbey Mausoleum

Posted on August 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 8, 1929: Angeles Abbey Mausoleum James Curtis writes: Gee–Preston Sturges and Angeles Abbey on the same page! I grew up in Compton, and the sight of that mausoleum is one of my most vivid childhood memories. I was never on … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, books, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Found on EBay — Biblical Mystery

Posted on August 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Edgar J. Goodspeed was a famous Bible scholar who spent the last years of his life in Los Angeles and died here in 1962. He was a prolific writer on religious subjects and an avid mystery fan, so he combined … Continue reading →

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Minister Discovers Ancient Race of Giants

Posted on August 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 9, 1899: "With the trophies of his summer's explorations spread out about him, Dr. Cole has turned his parlor into an anthropological museum. One table is covered with water jugs and incense pipes, the sofa hidden under stone axes, … Continue reading →

Posted in books | 2 Comments