Category Archives: books

Voices — Donald E. Westlake, 1933 – 2008

Posted on January 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Book Review Playing Politics With a Master of DialogueVICTORIES By George V. Higgins Henry Holt & Co.: $19.95; 298 pp.) December 2, 1990 By Donald E. Westlake Westlake is a novelist and screenwriter. His most recent book is "Drowned Hopes" … Continue reading →

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Happy New Year, 1959!

Posted on January 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

The rest of the world may peer into a darkened crystal ball, but at the Daily Mirror, we know what the future has to bring. In 1959, Los Angeles won the series and we lost Errol Flynn and Raymond Chandler. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #Jazz, Blues, books, broadcasting, Coming Attractions, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Television | 1 Comment

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on December 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

“A shoe should fit snug at the heel and over the instep so that the foot does not slip forward when walking. There should be plenty of room for the toes to spread apart. High French heels are to be … Continue reading →

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Voices — Michael Connelly

Posted on December 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times Michael Connelly’s press pass from his days at The Times. Most of Warner’s Missing Animation Cels Are Recovered Cartoons: The studio uses private investigators and lawsuits to retrieve the drawings. The artist … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Film, Hollywood, Television | 1 Comment

Retro holiday gift — 1951 Thomas Bros. Guide

Posted on December 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

The old Thomas Bros. maps (yes, the Daily Mirror HQ has a motley collection) are handy for anyone interested in Los Angeles history. This one is listed on EBay.

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Geronimo Pratt case 40 years later

Posted on December 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Elmer Gerard  "Geronimo" Pratt in 2000, after his release from prison. 'Lie down and pray' Gunshots on a Santa Monica tennis court reverberated across legal landscape. Note: Edward J. Boyer, now retired, covered the Elmer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 11 Comments

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on December 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

“Make it a rule never to wear a hat indoors, either in the home, office, store or workshop. If you now suffer from baldness give your head a chance to get the benefit of the air, sunshine and rain. In … Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, December 29, 1923

Posted on December 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. From the California State Archives, thanks to researcher Chris Garmire. Los Angeles, Calif. Dec. 29th, 1923 Mr. A.H. Wright … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Changeling, Film, Hollywood | 3 Comments

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on December 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

“Women are rarely bald, a condition largely due to wearing thin airy hats. Indians who have never worn a hat never suffer from baldness.” –A. Victor Segno, “How to Live 100 Years,” Los Angeles, 1903

Posted in books, health | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — forgotten bestseller

Posted on December 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Tom Chamales’ "Never So Few," which The Times’ Robert Kirsch called, "Easily one of the best novels to come out of World War II," has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.95.

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Voices — Bettie Page, 1923 – 2008

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

    A Golden Age for a Pinup Bettie Page — Nurse Bettie, Jungle Bettie — soldiered in the sexual revolution. At 82, she finds her image earns a respectable living. March 11, 2006 By Louis Sahagun, Times Staff Writer … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo — 1st and Broadway

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch
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A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

“You who desire to live 100 years and retain the characteristics of youth must not allow your head to become bald…. Refuse to make yourself a slave to a hat. A hat should be worn only when absolutely necessary, and … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

The English edition of the March 1936 issue of Black Mask has turned up on EBay. This issue features Raymond Chandler’s "The Man Who Liked Dogs." It’s listed as Buy It Now for $299. On the other hand, the e-text … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Downtown, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Retro holiday gift suggestion

Posted on December 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

It’s Christmas morning. Your loved one reaches under the tree for that carefully wrapped package. But what’s this? Could it be? Yes, it’s Col. Sanders’ FBI file! Just what they’ve always wanted! And it can be yours courtesy of the … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Batchelder book

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

"The Principles of Design" by Ernest A. Batchelder of Pasadena is listed on EBay with a Buy It Now price of $95. Which you could do. Or you could buy it via bookfinder.com for $11.50. On the other hand, Google … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, books, Real Estate | 1 Comment

Voices — Forrest J. Ackerman, 1916 – 2008

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times THE TRUE BELIEVER: “I felt that the primary authors of science fiction were opening my eyes … to a better and more fascinating world,” says Forrest J Ackerman of the genre he has championed. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Science | 26 Comments

Retro holiday gift suggestion

Posted on December 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Parker T-Ball Jotter, 1957 Newspapers, magazines and websites are full of holiday gift suggestions. But frankly, in this economy, I can’t in good conscience recommend spending lots of money. (True, I may post pricey items from EBay, but I … Continue reading →

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Remakes of science fiction classics

Posted on December 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Check out what my blog colleague Geoff Boucher has to say on Hero Complex: Hollywood, Back to the Future: Top filmmakers have already dipped into the sci-fi vault for 21st century remakes of “The War of the Worlds,” “The Planet … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

A copy of the May 1943 issue of Black Mask magazine has turned up on EBay. Bidding has started at $50, about average for an issue of this vintage. Note that UCLA Special Collections has a nearly complete collection of … Continue reading →

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