Category Archives: Comics

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Posted on August 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 2, 1950.

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Update on ‘Long Sam’

Posted on July 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Since I wrote about Dorothy "Long Sam" Brown in 2007 I have received repeated inquiries about the beautiful young North Carolina woman who became famous in 1957 after being found living in a shack with no running water. Here's an … Continue reading →

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Houdini at the Orpheum!

Posted on July 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 6, 1899: The Times reminds tourists to watch out for pickpockets. July 6, 1899: Look who's playing at the Orpheum. It's Houdini, with his wife, doing the Oregon boot routine. There's also a female impersonator named Tacianu. On May … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Little Nemo

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Also presenting McCay's "Gertie the Dinosaur" from 1914, in case you have never seen it. A Feb. 17, 1907, page of The Times comics featuring Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo in Slumberland" has been listed on EBay. Above, the entire page.  … Continue reading →

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Grand Jury Vice Probe! Gilmore Field Expanded

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Put That Pistol Down, Young Lady."   Keith's 1949 post on Gilmore Field has dropped us in the middle of an extremely complicated grand jury investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department. To summarize: Officers James Parslow, Thomas C. Lindholm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Stage, Suicide | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, June 23, 1959

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Hazel, I Said No! You Can't Have a New Dress!" Numbers Game A lady named Julia has been confronted with a major dilemma — to move or not to move. Normal accretion being what it is, her apartment has become … Continue reading →

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Dog Attacks Actress — Koufax Sets Record

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1959: "Hello, Young Lady." Elaine Stewart said she was watching TV at the home of tenant Floyd Appel when his dog bit her on the lip. In 1963, she was awarded $4,500 in damages. At left, Irene Dunne … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Comics, Dodgers, Environment, Film, health, Hollywood, Obituaries, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Dog Attacks Actress — Koufax Sets Record

Ailing Lou Gehrig Retires From Baseball

Posted on June 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Quiet, Stupid! … Yeow!"  The state Senate approves a bill that would license bookies and take 5% of their gross. I wonder what the lobbying was like on this bill. A Ford executive says industry voluntarily reduced the workweek to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, art and artists, Comics, Fashion, health, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

U.S. Bans D.H. Lawrence Novel

Posted on June 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

"I Feel Terribly Different." The Farmers Market ad pokes gentle fun at Times columnist Hedda Hopper. Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield defends his decision to ban "Lady Chatterly's Lover" from the U.S. mails. Times book columnist Robert R. Kirsch says Summerfield's … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, broadcasting, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Suicide, Television | 2 Comments

GOP Unbeatable, Nixon Says!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 20, 1959: This Isn't Any Laughing Matter, Ted." The newspapers of the 1950s are full of stories about callous police officers (usually the LAPD, sometimes Beverly Hills) handing out traffic tickets. It must have been quite a phenomenon. Richard … Continue reading →

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Body of Missing Executive Found; Nolan Ryan’s Close Call With History

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 18, 1959, the introduction of Charlie Brown's sister Sally begins a story line  about the the births of children that quickly turns dark. June 19, 1979: In 20 years, "Peanuts" has become a sitcom, mildly amusing in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 4 Comments

Governor Urged to Revive Crime Commission; A Dodger Retires

Posted on June 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Hey! Come Back Here!" County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn calls on Gov. Pat Brown to reactivate the state crime commission after reports of organized crime in California, while Mickey Cohen calls the whole matter a joke. "It's ridiculous. These false statements … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, Sports | 2 Comments

Nixon Urges Whittier Grads to Avoid Prejudice — and He Likes the Dodgers

Posted on June 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Gus Arriola is one of my favorite comic strip artists. His drawings are so clean and he's a marvelous draftsman. Vice President Richard Nixon and his family visit Disneyland and stay at the Disneyland Hotel. He also says he shaves … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, art and artists, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Jack Smith, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Nixon Urges Whittier Grads to Avoid Prejudice — and He Likes the Dodgers

USC Coach Turns Down Lakers’ Offer

Posted on June 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Who Wants a Dumb Artist Around Who Can’t Even Keep Out of Trouble?” The Lakers offered their coaching job to a very successful college coach who wouldn’t even have to relocate. No, not John Wooden. USC Coach Bob Boyd turned … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Lakers, Sports | 1 Comment

Police Kill Man Mistaken for Freeway Sniper! A Dodger Returns

Posted on June 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

"What Are We Going to Do With the Pair of You?" Bishop Timothy Manning of Fresno is coming to Los Angeles. After his death in 1989, he will be repeatedly cited in allegations that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles covered … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Freeways, Front Pages, LAPD, Religion | 1 Comment

Illegal Immigrants on Welfare! Child Psychic Says Missing Man Was Murdered

Posted on June 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

"What Do You Make of This Hole Under the Instrument Panel?" California, the "welfare magnet," for illegal immigrants. Above, UCLA's famous "pansy ring" for future brides. Hitler pays a surprise birthday visit to Richard Strauss …   … and welcomes … Continue reading →

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Nuclear Missile Sub Launched, All-Star Game Set for Los Angeles

Posted on June 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

"It's a Police Patrol Car!" The George Washington submarine, designed to carry Polaris missiles, is commissioned. Liberace sues the Daily Mirror of London for saying he is gay. The Edsel is now an economy car.   Hey look! It's Dick … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, @news, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Music, Sports | Comments Off on Nuclear Missile Sub Launched, All-Star Game Set for Los Angeles

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Editorial Cartoon

Posted on June 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 8, 1927: Times Cartoonist Edmund Waller "Ted" Gale really outdid himself with this one. Wow! I really try to be charitable with some of the things I find in the old papers but this one is stunning.

Posted in Comics | 1 Comment

Teacher Puts the Broom to Process Server in Communist Probe; Meet Wilt Chamberlain

Posted on June 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Terry, What's Wrong?" Police have few leads in the beating of boxing promoter Jackie Leonard, who was left partially paralyzed. Leonard had testified before the State Athletic Commission on corruption in prizefighting. Kindergarten teacher Ruth Adair Bishop, 54, whacks Grant … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Lakers, Religion, Sports | 3 Comments

Homeless Sleep in All-Night Theaters!

Posted on June 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

  "Norda Noll Slain" The Lugo Adobe on Gage Avenue. The Police Commission wanted to close all-night theaters but the council rejected the action amid debate over whether the city, county or state should care for the homeless who would … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, health, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo, Obituaries, Religion, Robberies, Sports | Comments Off on Homeless Sleep in All-Night Theaters!