Category Archives: Columnists

Paul Coates

Posted on January 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 14, 1958 This is the story of one kid. He lives here. His name is Gene. But with a few alterations it could be the story of any of 10,000 kids who live here. Or maybe 100,000 kids. But … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 13, 1958 There are words which somehow people think mean the opposite of what Mr. Webster states about them in his big book. For instance, enervate. It means to deprive of strength, to enfeeble. Yet many people think it … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on January 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 13, 1958 Juvenile terror has been a fact in this town for a long time. It’s nothing new. But there is something new about the latest series of outbreaks which hit the headlines over the last few days. Take … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 11, 1958 This is to report that progress has whacked away another footnote in the American credo, this time the Tom Sawyer-Huck Finn division. Ralph Hopkins, who spends his weekends fixing up his desert hideaway, tried to buy some … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 10, 1958 The seminar on semantics will come to order. A reporter phoned the Bureau of Public Works seeking information on the collection of combustible rubbish. He wanted to know whether a refuse truck, when filled, hauled the load … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on January 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 10, 1958 It was yesterday, late afternoon, when I got the tip. Davie Mack was going to surrender. If it was true, it definitely was news. Because Davie, according to my sources, was a very wanted young man. He … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 9, 1958 Passengers on a plane en route to Los Angeles from New York a few days ago were in a state of mild excitement over the presence of Lee J. Cobb, the distinguished actor. Somewhere over the wide-open … Continue reading →

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January 8, 1958: Matt Weinstock

Posted on January 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

January 8, 1958 Monday at 6:30 a.m., as Marvin Hanks of East L.A. walked from his home to his garage to drive to work, he observed that the full moon in the western sky was green–grass green.”What goes on here?” … Continue reading →

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January 8, 1958: Paul Coates

Posted on January 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

Jan. 8, 1958 There are businessmen in this town whose professed interest in humanity I question. Among them is the owner of a local tire agency who advertised in an East Los Angeles paper this week: “If you are riding … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on December 4, 2007 by lmharnisch

Nov. 27, 1957 [Note: This is the article that inspired Lenny Bruce’s famous bit on airplane glue–lrh. Below right, Bruce in 1963, by Times photographer Bill Murphy; bottom right, with his daughter Kitty, also in in 1963, by Times photographer … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on November 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

Nov. 14, 1957 I’m an old-fashioned boy. I don’t like changes. That’s why i was more than slightly disturbed at the recent rumbles that Ciro’s might close forever. Such a thing, if it happened, would be a catastrophe on the … Continue reading →

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November 13, 1957: Paul Coates — confidential file

Posted on November 14, 2007 by lmharnisch

Nov. 13, 1957 For Joseph Szabo, bravery has been an expensive trait. Its cost has included starvation and dungeons and tortures, like these (I’ll give them to you in Szabo’s words): “Every day they were to take me and put … Continue reading →

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Literary diversions

Posted on November 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

Nov. 1, 1957  

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October 23, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 23, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 23, 1957 The lady, an Ay–Ayer, is sober again, and philosophic. Not long ago, she slipped, as A-Ayers sometimes do. Finding herself well-soused, with no money left for a cab and little sense of direction, she decided the clink … Continue reading →

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October 22, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 22, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 22, 1957 The men of the copy desk gloomily agreed the other day that another hallowed city room custom is just about gone–reporters and editors bellowing “Boy!” and getting an instant and spirited response. Time was when this strident … Continue reading →

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October 21, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 21, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 21, 1957 Last Friday, a Hollywood hillsider named George was unable to start his car–the battery was dead. A neighbor obligingly drove him down the hill to a gas station, where George asked if he could get a rental … Continue reading →

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October 21, 1957: Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on October 21, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 21, 1957 When a funnyman tries to be serious, he doesn’t always come across. In fact, sometimes his sincerity is rewarded with laughs that approach guffaws. And, much as he hates it, the guy is downright hilarious. And maybe … Continue reading →

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In which some in-jokes get outed

Posted on October 20, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Above, the birth of Phlange Welder, Nov. 26, 1961. Comes now the time to divulge two of the deeper secrets of L.A newspaper lore, which I had forgotten until dinner recently with Carolyn Strickler, former head of The Times … Continue reading →

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October 19, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 19, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 19, 1957 Edwin Anthony Browne, playboy newspaperman of another day, is revisiting L.A. after 20 years and he is aghast. Perhaps aghast is too strong a word. Let’s say amused or mildly interested. Brownie, an innocent-looking cherub but a … Continue reading →

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October 19, 1957: Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on October 19, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 19, 1957 Most good writers are also good listeners. And Hollywood scenarist Jack Wagner isn’t an exception to the rule. In fact, Jack often goes it one better by listening in the right places at the right times. Forty-seven … Continue reading →

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