Category Archives: City Hall

Found on EBay — streetcar photo

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s a nice sharp image of a streetcar passing City Hall. It’s been listed on EBay with a starting bid of $5.

Posted in City Hall, Transportation | 1 Comment

Police chief quits; Nazi fears drive Jews to suicide, November 17, 1938

Posted on November 17, 2008 by lmharnisch

Voice of executed man speaks from Tijuana grave. At left, the current film "The Citadel," with Rosalind Russell and Robert Donat. Police Chief James Davis, who figured in the Gordon Northcott "Changeling" case, says he’s stepping down to protect his … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off on Police chief quits; Nazi fears drive Jews to suicide, November 17, 1938

November 8, 1938: Polish Jew shoots Nazi envoy

Posted on November 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

In Paris, Herschel Grynszpan, identified as a 17-year-old Polish Jew, shoots the third secretary of the German Embassy, Ernst von Rath.

Posted in City Hall, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports | Comments Off on November 8, 1938: Polish Jew shoots Nazi envoy

Black Dahlia

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel’s "Black Dahlia Avenger," inscribed to James Ellroy, as listed on EBay for $19.99, in 2006. Steve Hodel is bringing his "Black Dahlia Avenger" presentation to the South Pasadena Public Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, City Hall, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo — Little Tokyo, November 7, 1938

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, 314 E. 1st St. in 1938 and, below, via Google maps’ street view. Pharmacist Shiro Nakamura graduated from USC in 1909. According to California death records, he was born in Japan in Sept. 1, 1892, and died in Orange … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — Little Tokyo, November 7, 1938

Changeling stories — Part III

Posted on October 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Tony Rivetti Jr. / Universal PicturesAbove, Colm Feore as Police Chief James Davis, “Changeling,” set in 1928. Los Angeles Times file photoAbove, Police Chief James Davis, 1926. Northcott signs confession. I don’t care much for the press passes … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

October 28, 1938: Mayor investigates honorary LAPD badges

Posted on October 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Police Chief James Davis turns over a list of more than 7,800 people who have received honorary badges from the Los Angeles Police Department. Recipients include Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, Louis B. Mayer, Joe E. Brown, King Vidor, Bela … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | 1 Comment

Check out the Gangster Squad series

Posted on October 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

http://video.latimes.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf By Paul Lieberman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Sgt. Willie Burns had a Tommy gun on the bench in front of him when his 18 handpicked candidates arrived at the 77th Street station on the edge of Watts. It … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Mickey Cohen | Comments Off on Check out the Gangster Squad series

L.A. firefighter buys job for $600, October 21, 1938

Posted on October 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

A 2,000-acre brush fire burns from Stone Canyon Dam to Beverly Glen and north to Mulholland Drive. A political bombshell explodes in the Los Angeles City Fire Department: The sale of jobs for $600 ($8,745.89 USD 2007). Fire Chief Ralph … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, City Hall, Front Pages, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off on L.A. firefighter buys job for $600, October 21, 1938

Court to hear dispute over Dodger Stadium, October 16, 1958

Posted on October 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

By Keith Thursby Times staff writer The state Supreme Court will hear arguments over the legal battle to build a baseball stadium for the Dodgers in Chavez Ravine. The Times ran a short Associated Press story on Page 1 that … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Officers buy police jobs for $150, October 16, 1938

Posted on October 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, imagine my surprise to recognize the Coliseum in this panel from "Ella Cinders" by Bill Conselman and Charlie Plumb.  Ruth Etting’s ex-husband Martin Snyder kidnaps Etting’s husband, Myrl Alderman, forces him to drive to their home at 3000 Lake … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off on Officers buy police jobs for $150, October 16, 1938

Councilman seeks to regulate tattoo shops, September 3, 1943

Posted on October 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Councilman Ira McDonald’s attempt to regulate tattoo shops brought this anonymous response, which I unearthed in the city archives. Los Angeles City Council File 15670 September 2, 1943 Dear Sir, I recently made an investigation of the tattoo shops here … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, health | Comments Off on Councilman seeks to regulate tattoo shops, September 3, 1943

Young cancer patient cheers for Cubs, October 6, 1938

Posted on October 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

Nazis bill Czechs for "reparations"; Mayor Fletcher Bowron plans investigation of civic corruption. Crowds gather outside on 1st Street outside The Times Building to watch World Series results on the newspaper’s scoreboard. It looks like they had loudspeakers as well. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, City Hall, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Young cancer patient cheers for Cubs, October 6, 1938

Nazis roll into Czechoslovakia, October 4, 1938

Posted on October 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Triumphant Hitler enters with troops into the Sudetenland Cheering crowds greet Nazi leader, shouting, ‘We thank our Fuehrer!’     Films in production: Claire Trevor is cast is "Stagecoach." Apes throw hand grenades British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain defends his … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Nazis roll into Czechoslovakia, October 4, 1938

Hitler, Chamberlain promise peace, October 1, 1938

Posted on October 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

Poland demands share of Czechoslovakia More than 1 million Polish troops are poised to invade. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain gives the British the Munich agreement and his pledge with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler that Britain and Germany "never will go … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Current Affairs, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Hitler, Chamberlain promise peace, October 1, 1938

Victory for Hitler, September 30, 1938

Posted on September 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

Agreement hands Czech territory to Nazis Britain, France, Germany and Italy sign a compromise that is given to Czechoslovakia. If the nation refuses to accept being partitioned, it would stand alone against a German invasion.   Cary Grant is reading … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off on Victory for Hitler, September 30, 1938

Los Angeles mayor begins City Hall cleanup, September 28, 1938

Posted on September 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Mayor Bowron asks 117 commission members to quit Two members of the Police Commission resign and the head of the LAPD vice squad announces his retirement. "You Can’t Take It With You," one of my favorites. The Monte Carlo Ballet! … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Los Angeles County supervisors divert money for Dodger Stadium roads, September 24, 1958

Posted on September 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

Chavez Ravine funds go elsewhere County money intended to build roads into Dodger Stadium will be diverted to other projects. Wait a minute! IMDB says this is W.R. Burnett’s "Asphalt Jungle" turned into a western.  By Keith Thursby Times staff … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Freeways, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Los Angeles County supervisors divert money for Dodger Stadium roads, September 24, 1958

Los Angeles on smog alert, Braves win against Cards, September 19, 1958

Posted on September 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles urged to drive less and reduce smog  Ozone levels in the region reach 0.53 per million, which would be a Stage 3 alert in 2008.    The "Mating Urge," in "flaming color." Imdb says this wasn’t released until … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Science, Sports | 1 Comment

Los Angeles gets a new mayor, September 18, 1938

Posted on September 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

Bowron: Liberal, moderate and conservative The Times’ Timothy G. Turner writes: ‘Fletcher Bowron is no longhair nor will he turn the town over to Psalm singers. He is little concerned with gambling and prostitution as such, only in their effect … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Current Affairs, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Los Angeles gets a new mayor, September 18, 1938