Category Archives: Downtown

Found on EBay — Rachmaninoff in Los Angeles

Posted on December 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, an autographed program from Rachmaninoff’s 1933 concert at the Philharmonic Auditorium on EBay. It’s listed as Buy It Now for $671.40. According to The Times review, Rachmaninoff played six encores, including works by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Downtown, Music, Stage | Comments Off

Dodgers’ move pays off at the gate, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Wow! Luger cuff links and matching tie clip. I mean … wow!–lrh At left, a pair from an old EBay auction. I’ll see if any more turn up. Just for the heck of it. The Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Fashion, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

The English edition of the March 1936 issue of Black Mask has turned up on EBay. This issue features Raymond Chandler’s "The Man Who Liked Dogs." It’s listed as Buy It Now for $299. On the other hand, the e-text … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Downtown, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

O’Malley to quit Dodgers, December 5, 1968

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Walter O’Malley gave Los Angeles a year’s head start on planning his retirement party. O’Malley told Los Angeles baseball writers gathered in San Francisco for the winter meetings that he planned to retire after the 1969 season. His son, Peter, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Mullen and Bluett

Posted on November 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s a postcard showing Mullen and Bluett, one of the high-end clothing stories in the early days of Los Angeles, Broadway and 6th Street. On EBay starting at $7.99.

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Fashion | 1 Comment

End of the view

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

I’m sorry to note that one of my favorite downtown blogs, "View From a Loft," is going to be mothballed. Through "Loft," graphic artist Ed Fuentes explored downtown Los Angeles as only a resident can. He writes: HELLO, I MUST … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Blues, Downtown | Comments Off

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

A plan for Dodger Stadium

Posted on November 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Ray Graham / Los Angeles Times Dodger Stadium under construction in a photo published April 22, 1961. (No, this image hasn’t been Photoshopped. It’s a large print so I had to scan it in two pieces and paste … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 3 Comments

Dodgers cut back on day games — November 11, 1958

Posted on November 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

It took only one season in Los Angeles for the Dodgers to shift their hours later. The team’s 1959 schedule almost eliminated day baseball at the Coliseum. The Times’ Frank Finch said the team would have a record number … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Sports | 2 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

Billy Wilder on ‘Some Like It Hot’; Dodger stars pay a visit, November 4, 1958

Posted on November 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Billy Wilder discusses the strengths of typecasting in "Some Like It Hot," a movie that was filmed in 1958. Movie note: Ernest Hemingway makes a cameo appearance in "The Old Man and the Sea." Add this story to the list … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | Comments Off

Times election endorsements, November 2, 1958

Posted on November 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

A Methodist church in Little Rock offers a facility rent-free for segregated classes after Gov. Orval Faubus refuses to open the city’s integrated high schools. And an African American boycott of segregated buses in Birmingham, Ala., gets a slow start. … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Countdown to Watts, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Nightclubs, Politics, Sports, Stage | Comments Off

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

Joy in Bukowski Square

Posted on October 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

Charles Bukowski in 1994. The newly released "Portions from a Wine-Stained Notebook" pulls together as-yet uncollected essays and stories by Charles Bukowski, written from 1944 to 1990. Read more>>> They’re celebrating at 7th and Main.

Posted in books, Downtown | 1 Comment

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

Coming attractions — free Philip Marlowe tour

Posted on October 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Brian and Bonnie Olson, authors of "Tailing Philip Marlowe," write that they are giving a tour of downtown landmarks mentioned in the mysteries of Raymond Chandler. Sites include the Bradbury Building, the Oviatt Building and City Hall. The tour is … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Coming Attractions, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off

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

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