Category Archives: Front Pages

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 24, 1959

Posted on December 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A Christmas Carol of Olden Day, 1959     The stockings are hung, the scented evergreen gaily adorned and the eggnog's about gone, so gather 'round the hearth, children, while I tell you a Yuletide tale of yore.     It … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates | 3 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 22, 1959

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Payola Suspected in Fourth Grade     NEWS ITEM:  WESTBURY, N.Y., Dec. 21 — Teachers here have been warned against students who try to curry favor with "Christmas payola."     Supt. of Schools Cecil I. Rice sent teachers a memorandum indicating … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Nightclubs, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 22, 1959

Pastor Accused of Stealing Church Funds, Eloping With Choir Member

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1909: I had a difficult time picking a story this morning because the entire page is fascinating. First there’s the pastor from a small town in Indiana who is accused of stealing money from his church and eloping with … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, health, LAPD, Religion | 1 Comment

Last Civil War Veteran Dies at 117

Posted on December 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 20, 1959: “Peanuts” characters not only discuss Christmas, but they go to church.     W.N. Chandler decorates his home at 13060 Otsego St. for Christmas. 13060 Otsego St., Sherman Oaks, via Google maps’ street view. “What do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Front Pages, Obituaries, Politics, Religion, Sports | 2 Comments

December 17, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

We Have Living Dead Living in Red China Historically, war is a cold fact of life. And one of its most terrifying aspects is that some men conscripted by their nations to fight are swallowed up and lost in its … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on December 17, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Iran Welcomes President Eisenhower

Posted on December 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Elizabeth Taylor is out of the hospital … And The Times prepares to announce its Women of the Year.  Teresa "Terry" Kincheloe, 6, is learning "the domestic arts." She likes to dry the dishes, helps her mother in the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Texas a Gateway for Drugs From Mexico, Officials Say

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Walter W. Williams, 117, the last living Civil War veteran, is in critical condition.   “Dear Jesus, I am writing to you instead of Santa because you are what Christmas is. I would like to say before we all forget … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Mickey Cohen, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Texas a Gateway for Drugs From Mexico, Officials Say

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 10, 1959

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Creative Writing as Created in Flackdom     Tributes have been made to outstanding individuals in just about every field of endeavor, but nobody has ever come out to honor the hard working press agent.    That's why I'm here today. … Continue reading →

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Boy Kills Mother, Wounds Stepfather in ‘Dream’

Posted on December 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 8, 1959: A teenager kills his mother and wounds his stepfather during what he calls a bad dream.   Edna Fisher, 38, was killed and Donald Fisher, 28, was injured. Dec. 9, 1959: Edgar Lee Cox was suspended from … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Boy Kills Mother, Wounds Stepfather in ‘Dream’

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 7, 1959

Posted on December 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Is This Really Tokyo Rose?         Her name is Iva Toguri d'Aquino, but you know her as Tokyo Rose.     And that's why she hides.     She's 43 now.  She has a small business and a smaller circle … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Columnists, Front Pages, Mickey Cohen, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 7, 1959

Bank Robbers Captured

Posted on December 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes a map by Charles Owens, who later contributed to “Nuestro Pueblo.” This is about the earliest work of his I’ve seen in the paper.  The bank robbery story carries the byline of Otis M. Wiles, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Front Pages, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo, Robberies | Comments Off on Bank Robbers Captured

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 5, 1959

Posted on December 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comment       "Mr. Coates:     "In your column of last Wednesday, you delved into the timely issue of 'Is TV on the Up-and-Up?'     "You suggested, rather broadly, that maybe it isn't.     "You cited Desi … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 5, 1959

Mickey Cohen Arrested

Posted on December 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mickey Cohen is booked on suspicion of murder in the shooting of Jack “the Enforcer” Whalen, along with George Piscitelle and Sandy Hashagen, 18, who was found by The Times at 2284 1/2 Holly Drive. Above, Holly Drive as shown … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Mickey Cohen | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 3, 1959

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Mirror brings out an extra on killing of Jack “the Enforcer” Whalen.   Google maps’ street view of 13359 Ventura Blvd., site of Rondelli's restaurant. On the Togetherness of Police, Pawnshops     Today's lesson is how to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 3, 1959

December 1, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Arab League bans Elizabeth Taylor’s movies! Jerry Lewis at Bat for Actor Robinson Strange guy, Jerry Lewis. I’ve known him for years.  I knew him when he was a kid on Broadway, when he had a partner named Martin, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, broadcasting, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Television | 1 Comment

Pilot Dies When Plane Hits House in Compton

Posted on November 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 28, 1959: A plane crashes into a home at 519 W. Greenleaf in Compton. Mink jeans? Are you serious? Running freeways through the upper floors of existing buildings is a startling concept – but it’s not new. As envisioned … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Freeways, Front Pages, Music, Sports | Comments Off on Pilot Dies When Plane Hits House in Compton

November 27, 1964: Secretary Found Stabbed to Death in the ‘Thanksgiving’ Murder

Posted on November 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

November 27, 1964: The death of Joyce Gayle Walker is one of the more haunting killings of the 1960s. I’m not sure it was ever solved. I can’t find any follow-up stories on it.

Posted in 1964, Front Pages, Homicide, Jack Smith | 1 Comment

Thanksgiving, 1908

Posted on November 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above, Thanksgiving, 1908 "Did the Pilgrim Fathers have salads at their Thanksgiving feasts? Nay, verily!" How Did Thanksgiving Get to Be Turkey Day? History: The All-American feast took its time becoming the holiday we all celebrate today. Thursday November 15, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages | Comments Off on Thanksgiving, 1908

‘Ben-Hur’ Premieres in Benefit for USC

Posted on November 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 25, 1959: Los Angeles' population reaches 2.4 million.   Parents pose with newly adopted children in a program of the Adoption Institute. “Ben-Hur” premieres as a benefit for USC. Gore Vidal worked on the script for “Ben-Hur?” William Wyler, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports, Television | Comments Off on ‘Ben-Hur’ Premieres in Benefit for USC

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Nov. 23, 1959

Posted on November 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Note: Standards have changed since Paul Coates used "wetback" in this column 50 years ago. Today, words like this are acceptable in The Times only if they appear in a quote and then, only after consultation with top editors. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Education, Front Pages | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Nov. 23, 1959