Category Archives: books

Dashiell Hammett Dies, Jan. 11, 1961

Posted on January 11, 2011 by lmharnisch

Jan. 11, 1961: Dashiell Hammett dies at the age of 67. A Times editorial the next days wonders about a “slight odor of Communist mentality” in “The Maltese Falcon.” No, really! Also from The Times’ editorial … Continue reading →

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

Found on EBay — ‘Mother Goose-Step’

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

I watch for books from Lymanhouse, the Los Angeles publisher of “They Call Them Camisoles,” a graphic first-person account of being hospitalized at Camarillo. Lymanhouse also published “What Actors Eat — When They Eat.” Another Lymanhouse book, “Mother Goose-Step,” by … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books | Comments Off

Paul Coates, Jan. 10, 1961

Posted on January 10, 2011 by lmharnisch

Jan. 10, 1961: Author Dashiell Hammett dies… Paul Coates didn’t get invited to the John F. Kennedy inaugural…. notice the Page 1 story on Frank Sinatra’s wardrobe for the Kennedy bash!

Posted in books, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off

The Black Dahlia — Another Good Story Ruined

Posted on January 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

he anniversary of Elizabeth Short’s killing is Jan. 15, so I thought I would try to anticipate the annual rehash of fiction and mistakes with a post commenting on potential sources on the 1947 case. People often ask me which … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, books, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD | 6 Comments

Mrs. Eddy Will Rise Again, as Christ Did, Follower Says

Posted on December 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

Dec. 30, 1910: The death of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy on Dec. 3, 1910, left followers predicting her return. Christian Science leader Augusta E. Stetson said that "she believed the millennium is at hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Obituaries, Religion | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, books | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in books, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in books, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in books | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Roderick Mann | Comments Off

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 →