Category Archives: Front Pages

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

Nov. 22, 1963

Posted on November 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Politics | 2 Comments

Pioneer of Covered Wagon Days Seeks to Save Oregon Trail

Posted on November 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ezra Meeker, who first traveled the Oregon Trail in 1852. The city is overrun with loose dogs, The Times says. Dec. 4, 1928: Ezra Meeker dies at the age of 97. Nov. 21, 1909: The Times profiles Ezra Meeker, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Front Pages, Transportation | Comments Off on Pioneer of Covered Wagon Days Seeks to Save Oregon Trail

November 19, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Saga of a Guy Who Flipped From Poky “I walk alone,” the voice on the phone told me, more as an apology than as a boast.  “With me, it’s habit.  I guess I never learned any other way.” The voice … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1959, Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Transportation | Comments Off on November 19, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

As Senators Write to Indignant Taxpayers While we’re all gathered here together, in this smoke-filled room, I’d like to say a few words in behalf of politicians. They are our friends.  Behind that stodgy facade that they put up, they’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation, Paul Coates | Comments Off on November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

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

Posted on November 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Poet in the Poky Has Samson Sort of Woes Jerry Baker, the promising young coffee-house poet, appeared in my office yesterday afternoon, shortly after being released from Lincoln Heights jail. He sat down, gazed fondly at an open pack of … Continue reading →

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

Plane Crash Kills 42

Posted on November 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 17, 1959: Investigators speculate on whether a bomb exploded on a National Airlines DC-7B that crashed in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 42 people. Ultimately, no cause was ever determined. … And  Gene Sherman reports on border drug traffic. … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Comics, Dodgers, Front Pages, Jack Smith, Sports | Comments Off on Plane Crash Kills 42

Family Killed in Kansas Farm Town

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  "The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call 'out there.' Some seventy miles east of the Colorado border, the countryside, with its hard blue skies and desert-clear … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Front Pages, Homicide, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Family Killed in Kansas Farm Town

Reporters Walk Out on Rockefeller

Posted on November 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

   New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s plan for separate news conferences for print and broadcast reporters backfires when the TV and radio crews in Los Angeles walk out on him.   Louie Malle’s New Wave film “Lovers” is just plain … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Richard Nixon, Sports | 3 Comments

Beating Victim Identified

Posted on November 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A Senate subcommittee hears testimony about drug traffic from Mexico. Reading may become a lost art!   Nov. 11, 1959: Here’s a name that may sound familiar to people who follow the Black Dahlia case: Lillian Lenorak. You may … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Front Pages, Homicide | 1 Comment

Nation Observes Armistice Day

Posted on November 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Nov. 11, 1919: Among the activities planned in Los Angeles for the first anniversary of the end of World War I is a "war pageant showing a night battle scene in all its phases." Interestingly enough, a similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages | 1 Comment