Category Archives: Front Pages

Vandals paint swastika on Hollywood synagogue, December 12, 1938

Vandals paint a swastika on Temple Beth El, 1508 N. Wilton. Nazi police censor sermons of Vienna’s Catholic priests. The former temple photographed by Nathan Marsak, who wrote a wonderful post on the 1947 project. Today’s edition of The Times … Continue reading

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December 11, 1938: Breakfast of death; voodoo cult killings

December 10, 1938: I defy anyone to insist that the past was “a kinder, simpler time” after reading this page. But don’t take my word for it — see for yourself.

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Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

"Venta will return and be resurrected." Known as "the barefoot people." Above, followers of Krishna Venta describe life at the Fountain of the World religious compound and the bombing that killed 10 people. "A tower of blue and white flame … Continue reading

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

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

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Cult leader killed in bombing of religious compound, December 10, 1958

American history presented as a lavish pageant, the only film directed by Anthony Quinn, who took over from the ailing  Cecil B. DeMille. With a great score by Elmer Bernstein. An ad published in The Times shortly before the explosion. … Continue reading

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | 2 Comments

Arsonists set fire to university offices, Colts win over Rams, December 9, 1968

  The Rams were supposed to beat the Chicago Bears and then face the Baltimore Colts to determine the division championship. But a series of mistakes — and the Bears — got in the way as the Rams lost, 17-16. … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Education, Front Pages, Politics, San Fernando Valley, Sports | 2 Comments

Mayor refuses to give Senate committee secret files on LAPD funds, December 9, 1938

Los Angeles sizzles at 92 degrees and thousands of beach-goers went into the ocean, even though it was 64 degrees. The Soviet weather bureau says the North Pole has been warming up for the last 10 years. Octopus saves student … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

Senator, 66, to marry beauty queen, 22; baseball commissioner fired, December 8, 1968

Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) plans to marry Miss South Carolina, 1965, Nancy Moore. The Times ran a United Press International story predicting big changes for baseball in the wake of owners firing the commissioner, William D. Eckert. Possibilities included: — … Continue reading

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

L.A.’s confusing freeways, December 8, 1958

Beverly and La Cienega, home of pony rides for two generations of children. I believe Gales was on a different corner. Note the Bible verse and the puzzling editorial cartoon. What was on the minds of Times’ readers in 1958? … Continue reading

Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages, health, Transportation | 2 Comments

Guard unit loses fight to avoid overseas combat; riot at Forum, December 7, 1968

  Scary night at the Forum, where a riot broke out after a fight. Lionel Rose defeated Chucho Castillo in a split decision to retain the world’s bantamweight boxing title, then fans started throwing what The Times’ Frank Finch called … Continue reading

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Meltdown delays U.S. atomic airplane; Rams win over Colts, December 7, 1958

Longtime viewers of the History Channel (or "The Adolf Channel" as we call it at the Daily Mirror HQ) may have seen a program on the U.S. project to develop an atomic airplane. As you can imagine, a key component … Continue reading

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Science, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Gambling and vice on Central Avenue, December 7, 1938

France signs a friendship pact with the Nazis. Dine at Lucca, 5th and Western. Above, a group of African American leaders tells the Police Commission that gambling and prostitution are rampant in the black district along Central Avenue, but that … Continue reading

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Stunt man dies in John Wayne film, December 6, 1958

  File this under quaint notions of the 1950s: Highway officials taking control of speeding cars and forcing them to slow down. U.S. moon launch fails. http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k6UQe8Upiz1lVusxuj&related=1&canvas=mediumTHE HORSE SOLDIERS TRAILER At left, stuntman Fred Kennedy is killed when he takes … Continue reading

Posted in classical music, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Sports, Stage, Transportation | 1 Comment

O’Malley to quit Dodgers, December 5, 1968

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

Dodger trades teams and swaps wife to Yankee pitcher, December 5, 1968

  The Dodgers traded pitcher Mike Kekich to the Yankees where he became famous for another trade. In 1972, Kekich and fellow Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson swapped families. Peterson and Kekich’s wife eventually married, Kekich and Peterson’s wife did not. … Continue reading

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages | 2 Comments

December 2, 1958: Model stabbed, dumped off mountain highway

People v. Feasby (1960) 178 Cal.App.2d 723 [3 Cal.Rptr. 230] [Crim. No. 6783.Second Dist., Div. Three. Mar. 9, 1960.] THE PEOPLE, Respondent, v. GERALD BYRON FEASBY, Appellant. COUNSEL Ellery E. Cuff, Public Defender (Los Angeles), Richard S. Buckley and Richard … Continue reading

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USC wins over No. 1 Notre Dame, 13-0, December 4, 1938

  Heinrich Himmler seizes German Jews’ drivers licenses as Berlin confines Jews to a ghetto. Times "Magic Eye" photos.  "And this is the team whose coach they wanted to fire when the season was one week old."

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Baseball OKs trades between NL-AL, December 4, 1958

You really don’t have to wonder what "She Gods of Shark Reef" is about, do you? Here’s another one of those surprises found in the old files. Baseball approved interleague trading for a short period each winter beginning the following … Continue reading

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Hayakawa reopens S.F. State; Dodgers bid for Joe Torre, December 3, 1968

  Turns out the Dodgers were interested in more than Joe Torre, the manager. They once tried to acquire him as a player. The Dodgers offered the Braves Willie Davis and Tom Haller for Torre and Felipe Alou, according to … Continue reading

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36 homes burn in Malibu fire, December 3, 1958

  I have seen some ugly Page 1 layouts but this headline takes the prize.   Corral Canyon fire, 1958   Corral Canyon fire, 2007. One fire began near Bob Hope Ranch, the other near 20th Century Fox movie ranch … Continue reading

Posted in @news, Architecture, broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Real Estate, Sports, Television | 2 Comments