Category Archives: books

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, Dec. 27, 1940

Posted on December 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

          Dec. 27, 1940: P.G. Wodehouse is being held by the Nazis – stay tuned for more about him in 1941,when he goes on German radio. Earl Carroll planning a Jimmy Durante "Nose Night" with any … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – W.W. Robinson

Posted on December 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

A copy of W.W. Robinson’s “Bombs and Bribery,” about the 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times, has been listed on EBay. This book is usually listed at a steep price because it was a limited edition of 300 copies, … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates, Dec. 13, 1960

Posted on December 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

       Dec. 13, 1960: Paul Coates has an update on the story of John Howard Griffin, whose book “Black Like Me,” about his experiences pretending to be African American, shocked many white readers. Notice Paul Weeks' byline out … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — ‘What Actors Eat’

Posted on December 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

A copy of the Lymanhouse book “What Actors Eat – When They Eat!” has been listed on EBay. This cookbook turns up once or twice a year on EBay, usually at a ridiculous price. Bidding on this one, however, starts … Continue reading →

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Famed Writer Tours L.A.

Posted on November 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

       Nov. 13, 1910: Times reporter Willard Huntington Wright (yes, that is the future mystery writer S.S. Van Dine), explores Los Angeles with British author William J. Locke, who was once famous for such works as “The Beloved … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Nov. 10, 1960

Posted on November 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Nov. 10, 1960: Four drawers vanished from the card catalog at UCLA’s library, from “Independent” to “Indian Cot,” Matt Weinstock says.   (Yes, they were recovered.) Weinstock also caught Errol Garner and Bob Newhart at Gene Norman’s Crescendo nightclub. … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – A. Victor Segno

Posted on November 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

I have a soft spot for turn-of-the-century charlatan A. Victor Segno. This image of him is included in a copy of “Law of Mentalism” listed on EBay. Segno’s scheme was to have people mail him $1 in exchange for sending … Continue reading →

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Pages of History

Posted on October 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Longtime reader Jenny Lerew mentioned this recipe in a recent comment about “What Actors Eat When They Eat!” so I thought I would share it. Also on the jump, Jimmie Fidler’s recipe for Boston baked beans. Wot’s this? … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood | 1 Comment

L.A. Archives Bazaar

Posted on October 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Photograph by Larry Harnisch / Los Angeles Times   The fifth annual L.A. Archives Bazaar on Saturday at USC’s Doheny Library. I had the pleasure of being on one of the panels at the annual L.A. Archives … Continue reading →

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Voices – Ingrid Bergman

Posted on October 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

        Oct. 26, 1980: Roderick Mann interviews Ingrid Bergman on the release of her autobiography, “My Story.” Mann writes: Yesterday's scandal is tomorrow's yawn, and young people today, let alone future historians, may well marvel that Ingrid … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – What Actors Eat When They Eat!

Posted on October 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Certain books with a Los Angeles or Hollywood connection have taken on ridiculous prices — “Thicker ‘n’ Thieves” comes to mind – and this is another item that usually carries an inflated price, although I have never seen it this … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Food and Drink | 1 Comment

Archives Bazaar

Posted on October 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Just a reminder that the fifth annual Archives Bazaar is today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library. There will be panel discussions throughout the day, including a panel at 1:30 p.m. on … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Coming Attractions, Photography | 2 Comments

Penthouse and Bob Guccione

Posted on October 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

       July 23, 1984: Vanessa Williams resigns at the request of Miss America Pageant officials after nude photos of her are published in Penthouse.       Sept. 29, 1971: The late David Shaw writes a nondupe (Column … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – Parkey Sharkey

Posted on October 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

A copy of Parkey Sharkey’s “Whiskey Road” has been listed on EBay. According to the vendor, that is an authentic Parkey Sharkey signature with the date, 1966. “Whiskey Road” is quite difficult to find. It’s more of a brochure than … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Coming Attractions – Charles Bukowski

Posted on October 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph of Charles Bukowski courtesy of the Huntington Library An exhibit titled “Charles Bukowski: Poet on the Edge,” featuring material from Bukowski’s archives, will be on display at the Huntington Library,  Art Collections and Botanical Gardens from Oct. 9 to … Continue reading →

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Pages of History

Posted on September 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Los Angeles – The Chemically Pure” by Willard Huntington Wright/S.S. Van Dine in the March 1913 issue of “The Smart Set” is frequently cited, but almost never quoted. I tracked down the article (which also appears in “The Smart … Continue reading →

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We’re Searching For …

Posted on September 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

I’m looking for Pauline Jacobson’s “Otis: Jehovah of Industrial Freedom,” which appeared in the Dec. 9, 1911, issue of the San Francisco Bulletin. It was also reprinted in “The Struggles of Organized Labor in Los Angeles.” Does anyone happen to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, books | 1 Comment

Garbo Turns 75, Sept. 14, 1980

Posted on September 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 14, 1980, Alexander Walker, the author of "Garbo: A Portrait," on the actress' 75th birthday.

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Coming Attractions — Archives Bazaar, Oct. 23

Posted on September 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Two women and a car near Eagle Rock, left, from the California Historical Society collection; Los Angeles County citrus exhibit in Toronto, 1927, from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce collection. The fifth annual Archives Bazaar will be held … Continue reading →

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Mt. Bassett Revisited

Posted on September 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

As a footnote to my previous post, I thought it would be valuable to list some of the people Jim Bassett interviewed for his ill-fated book on the Los Angeles Times. I’m not sure this is complete, but it’s a … Continue reading →

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