Category Archives: Front Pages

Musial, Campanella named to Hall of Fame, January 22, 1969

Roy Campanella, whose Dodger career was cut short by a car accident before the team moved to Los Angeles, was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame. "I never had any idea I’d even play in the majors, much less make … Continue reading

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports | 1 Comment

Rams draft Rafer Johnson, January 22, 1959

The Rams picked a real winner in the NFL annual draft. Rafer Johnson would become world famous in 1960 by winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the Rome Olympics. He already held the world record in the event … Continue reading

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Obama Calls for Hope in Face of Cold Reality

In case you don’t recall the bunting across the top of The Times’ Obama inauguration cover, there’s a reason. On the left, the home delivery edition with an ad for "Lost." On the right, the commemorative reprint edition that was … Continue reading

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De Mille Dies! January 21, 1959

"The greatest showman on earth." This trailer for "The Ten Commandments" calls it "the greatest motion picture of all time." Hedda Hopper described the film’s director, Cecil B. De Mille, "the greatest creator and showman of our industry." But what … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Obituaries | 2 Comments

President takes oath of office, 1909

Bain News Service via Library of Congress President Taft visits Los Angeles, c. Oct. 11, 1909. "No inaugural address of recent years has won such great success." Someone at The Times had a sense of humor to talk about putting … Continue reading

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Black Lakers players barred from white hotel, January 17, 1959

The Times reports that detention facilities for juvenile girls is badly overcrowded but doesn’t really address the reason, merely saying that the rapid increase in Southern California’s population and lack of room at state facilities are to blame. But why … Continue reading

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs, Sports | 1 Comment

Vivian Leigh cast as Scarlett O’Hara, January 1939

  On January 14, 1939, The Times published the news that an English actress had been cast in the lead of "Gone With the Wind." Excuse me, but Jean Arthur as Scarlett? Hedda Hopper covers the furious reaction over David … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, @news, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Religion, Sports | 3 Comments

California Supreme Court OKs Dodger Deal, January 14, 1959

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles will investigate organized crime. The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Dodgers and City Hall, moving plans for a baseball stadium in Chavez Ravine one huge step closer to reality. … Continue reading

Posted in City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

Thousands in Los Angeles pray for peace, January 14, 1939

About 4,000 worshipers attend a Perpetual Novena for Our Sorrowful Mother at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral. People knelt in the aisles, in the doorways and outside praying for peace and for relief of the poor, The Times says. County Supervisor Roger … Continue reading

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Jets win Super Bowl, 16-7, January 13, 1969

The New York Jets upset the Baltimore Colts, 16-7, to win the Super Bowl and become one of the most surprising champions in modern sports history. How surprising was it? Here’s the game according to Jim Murray: "On Sunday afternoon, … Continue reading

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January 12-13: Soviet leader visits Los Angeles

LAPD officers keep control as a large crowd gathers at LAX in anticipation of the arrival of Deputy Soviet Premier Anastas Mikoyan. His plane was diverted to Burbank, where he landed without incident, The Times said. Today, Anastas Mikoyan (1895-1978) … Continue reading

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Demonstators protest arrival of Soviet leader; Dodger turns to acting, January 11, 1959

Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Mikoyan provokes demonstrations in San Francisco en route to his visit to Los Angeles. Recall that Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev will come to Los Angeles later in the year. And a federal court strikes down a … Continue reading

Posted in #Jazz, broadcasting, Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Television | 1 Comment

Dodgers move outfield fence, January 10, 1959

The Dodgers announced they were moving the Coliseum fences in and The Times saw it as a victory for Duke Snider. The dimensions were reduced in center (425 feet to 410) and right-center fields (440 to 385). The short porch … Continue reading

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

Another Nixon story challenged, January 10, 1959

A strike at a Hollywood supermarket turns into a management lockout involving 1,000 grocery stores across Southern California that lasts for 28 days. The union negotiator charged that the lockout was aimed at crushing the clerks’ union and forcing smaller … Continue reading

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Suicide | 1 Comment

New history blog — Pages From the Past

The Chinchilla Thimble Club, 1949 The Scranton, Pa., Times-Tribune has begun a history blog called Pages From the Past, done by Brian Fulton. Please visit the site and welcome Brian to the growing number of newspaper history blogs! 

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Baby abandoned at hospital; Times’ Oscar favorites, January 8, 1939

Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz is honored for 32 years of public service. Above, a baby nicknamed Little Buttercup is abandoned at White Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, The Times never followed up on what became of her. We also take a look at … Continue reading

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Stocks suffer worst day in 19 months; Rams rehire Allen, January 7, 1969

A 15-point drop in the Dow is Page 1 news in 1969. I wonder what they would think of today’s economic meltdown. Today in Baby Boomer nostalgia: Gordon Lightfoot makes his debut in Los Angeles. It took the Rams 12 … Continue reading

Posted in @news, Columnists, Current Affairs, Front Pages, Music, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Errol Flynn wounded in Cuba; Gehrig’s widow praises Ted Williams, January 6, 1959

California gets its second Democratic governor since 1900, Pat Brown. Errol Flynn is wounded in Cuba. He says he was hit by a bullet or a piece of masonry that ricocheted but Cuban officials are a bit skeptical. [Look what’s … Continue reading

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

Grocery store of tomorrow, January 4, 1959

Hey, look! It's the 7-Eleven from "The Jetsons!" Actually, it's not. Instead, The Times published an artist's concept of grocery shopping in the years ahead. The "futurism" of the past always fascinates me. Notice that cars will still have tail … Continue reading

Posted in 1959, @news, broadcasting, Film, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Fierce fighting in Cuba, Los Angeles Open begins, January 3, 1959

 The Soviets are winning the space race and communism establishes a foothold at America’s doorstep. These were worrisome times for the nation. Cheryl Crane visits Lana Turner. "Li’l Abner," "Rick O’Shay" and "Moon Mullins." Moral Re-Armament and the Young Americans … Continue reading

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