Category Archives: books

In Support of Libraries and Librarians

The Arroyo Seco branch library via Google maps’ street view. Wednesday’s story by Maeve Reston on a proposal to cut hours in the Los Angeles Public Library system mentioned several branches that could be affected, including the Arroyo Seco Regional … Continue reading

Posted in books, City Hall | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock, March 19, 1960

  “?” Pig Stickers, En Garde     Sportsmen who complain they have to go farther and farther for good fishing and hunting — prepare to drool.  Dr. Louis Higger of L.A. writes from Kati, New Zealand: "Here we are on … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, books, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, March 19, 1960

Hedda Hopper, March 15, 1946

March 15, 1946: Hey, look who turns up in Hedda Hopper’s column… It’s Jeffrey Bernerd! So what, you ask? Surely you remember that he’s the stepfather of “Black Dahlia Files” author Donald H. Wolfe! By the way, I’m still waiting … Continue reading

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Hedda Hopper, March 15, 1946

Hearing on the Gas House, Part 4

Sept. 8, 1959: This is the fourth part of a transcript of testimony by “Holy Barbarians” author Lawrence Lipton before the the Los Angeles Police Commission on the Gas House, the Beat hangout in Venice.  Part 1 is here. Part … Continue reading

Posted in #Jazz, books, LAPD, Music | Comments Off on Hearing on the Gas House, Part 4

Dinosaur Expert Roy Chapman Andrews Dies

  March 12, 1960: Roy Chapman Andrews is not an author I think about very often anymore, but he wrote one of the favorite books of my childhood, “All About Dinosaurs.” I suppose he’s one reason I took all those … Continue reading

Posted in books, broadcasting, Film, Hollywood Division, Obituaries, Sports | Comments Off on Dinosaur Expert Roy Chapman Andrews Dies

Mystic Author Visits Los Angeles

  March 8, 1920: The Times seems quite taken with Francis Grierson, author of “Modern Mysticism,” quoting him at length on world politics and spiritualism. The poor fellow died of starvation, The Times says, while working on an anthology of … Continue reading

Posted in books, classical music | Comments Off on Mystic Author Visits Los Angeles

Charles Champlin on Dore Schary

  March 7, 1980: Charles Champlin interviews former MGM executive Dore Schary, who talks about the declining role of the producer.  On the jump, Schary recalls giving advice to Louis B. Mayer about what he should do in retirement.

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Charles Champlin on Dore Schary

In Support of Libraries and Librarians

Photograph by Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times The downtown public library, which survived a devastating fire, is now threatened with budget cutbacks and layoffs.   The Daily Mirror is a big supporter of libraries and librarians, and we’re utterly opposed … Continue reading

Posted in books, City Hall | 2 Comments

Detective Connor and the Golden Rule

March 6, 1910: William Montgomery Clemens’ stories were a frequent feature in an era when newspapers published Sunday supplements. Clemens (1860-1931) was a nephew of Mark Twain.

Posted in art and artists, books | Comments Off on Detective Connor and the Golden Rule

Lummis Quits Library Job

  March 5, 1910: This was one of those days when there were too many good stories to focus on one: Charles Lummis resigns as city librarian … a veterinarian's assistant dies a horrible death after being bitten by a … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, books, City Hall, Front Pages, Science | Comments Off on Lummis Quits Library Job

‘The Tin Drum’ Opens Filmex 80

  Jim Murray on "They Call Me Assassin." More on the jump, plus Kevin Thomas on "The Tin Drum" for the opening of Filmex 80.

Posted in #Jim Murray, books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on ‘The Tin Drum’ Opens Filmex 80

Westbrook Pegler on F. Scott Fitzgerald

  Dec. 27, 1940: To most people living today, Westbrook Pegler is nothing more than a name – if that. His column on the death of F. Scott Fitzgerald will give you an idea of what he was like. “Peg” … Continue reading

Posted in books, Columnists | Comments Off on Westbrook Pegler on F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Romantic Entanglement for Future Times Columnist

     Feb. 28, 1920: My heart skipped a beat when I pulled up this story. Could this be our own  Lee Shippey, author of “The Great American Family” and “It’s an Old California Custom?” Yes it is.

Posted in books, Columnists | Comments Off on A Romantic Entanglement for Future Times Columnist

Research Question

Photo by Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times The Hall of Justice, closed after the Northridge earthquake.  The Daily Mirror has been contacted by an established writer working on his first novel who would like to interview anyone who worked … Continue reading

Posted in books | Comments Off on Research Question

Found on EBay – Manly Hall

 What is advertised as an autographed copy of Manly Hall’s collected writings has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $149.99.

Posted in books, Religion | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Manly Hall

Hearing on the Gas House, Part 2

    Sept. 8, 1959: This is the second part of a transcript of testimony by “Holy Barbarians” author Lawrence Lipton before the the Los Angeles Police Commission on the Gas House, the Beat hangout in Venice.  Part 1 is … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, books, LAPD, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Hearing on the Gas House, Part 2

The White Man’s Burden

    Feb. 16, 1920: The Times says of “The White Man’s Burden,” “It is a pity that this phrase, popularized by Rudyard Kipling twenty years ago and used to enunciate a great truth, should be in danger of deterioration through … Continue reading

Posted in books, Politics | Comments Off on The White Man’s Burden

Hearing on the Gas House, Part 1

     Sept. 8, 1959: This is the first part of a transcript of testimony by “Holy Barbarians” author Lawrence Lipton before the the Los Angeles Police Commission on the Gas House, the Beat hangout in Venice. I’ll be posting … Continue reading

Posted in books, LAPD, Music, Nightclubs | 2 Comments

The Underbelly of California

Christina House / For The Times Richard Rayner at the Festival of Books, 2009 If you have a good memory, you may recall a panel at last year’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on “The Underbelly of California,” moderated … Continue reading

Posted in books, LAPD | Comments Off on The Underbelly of California

Nuestro Pueblo

  Sept. 28, 1938: Charles Owens re-creates a scene he discovered in the Arroyo Seco when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1908 – an outdoor kitchen. The original run of Nuestro Pueblo ended in 1939. I’m going back and … Continue reading

Posted in art and artists, books, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo