Category Archives: LAPD

Black Dahlia — L.A. Magazine Gets It Wrong

Posted on June 26, 2013 by lmharnisch

The Black Dahlia crime scene in Leimert Park gets a visit from Denise Hamilton for Los Angeles magazine. Los Angeles magazine does its “first-ever” crime issue. I’m curious about several statements (Did Harold Lloyd really cling to the “Italianate columns” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Death of Ted Healy — Part 8

Posted on June 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

Dec. 22, 1937: “Beating of Ted Healy Told in Death Probe,” in the Los Angeles Daily News. In case you just tuned in, we are nearing the end of a long journey that began in April, when I stumbled across … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Nightclubs | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: Hodel Murder House Soil Samples? You Must Be Kidding!

Posted on June 7, 2013 by lmharnisch

You may recall the pop media frenzy back in February that “Buster the wonder dog” had found “something” at the Sowden House that was possibly, maybe, kind of, perhaps, sort of, related to the Black Dahlia case proving, oh, you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail — Part 3

Posted on May 16, 2013 by lmharnisch

In responding to my post on “Gangster Squad,” Earl Boebert raised the interesting question about whether officers used a one-handed or two-handed grip in the 1940s. For comparison, here’s a picture from Jack Webb’s “The Badge” (1958) showing LAPD cadets … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1958, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 9 Comments

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail — Part 2 (Updated)

Posted on May 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

“Inspired by a True Story” is movie shorthand for “what you’re about to see is all b.s.” Much against my better judgment, I forced myself to watch “Gangster Squad” again when it came out on DVD and “on demand.” Not … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Was Coleman Harris From ‘Gangster Squad’ a Real Person?

Posted on May 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

Josh Brolin, left, as Sgt. John O’Mara with Anthony Mackie as Officer Coleman Harris in “Gangster Squad.” Drinking in uniform in a nightclub while on duty? I don’t think so. Now that “Gangster Squad” is out on DVD and available … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: Soil Test Results From Dr. George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel’s Purported Murder HQ

Posted on April 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

And in case anyone thinks that we have forgotten: No, nothing has been announced about the purported tests performed on soil from Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported murder HQ. I think it’s safe to say there are no results … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Real L.A. Noir – Tomorrow at The Times Festival of Books

Posted on April 19, 2013 by lmharnisch

Among the events scheduled for this weekend’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, you may especially enjoy a panel moderated by Patt Morrison titled “The Real L.A. Noir,” featuring reporters Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton — and me. The panel … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Coming Attractions, LAPD | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Millennial Moment: Animator in Jail After Oscar Awards Attack on Officers

Posted on April 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

April 12, 1983: Oscar-winning animator Zbigniew Rybczyński, 34, is in custody on charges of battery after he allegedly kicked a security guard in the groin outside the Academy Awards ceremony at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion — and then kicked a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1983, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Millennial Moments | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

LAPD Chief Wants More Police; Terrible Traffic – 1913

Posted on April 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

April 3, 1913: That is author L. Frank Baum and composer Louis F. Gottschalk, the team behind “The Tik-Tok Man of Oz,” which was a blockbuster in Los Angeles. The Times said it “is the reigning sensation of the local … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Books and Authors, City Hall, LAPD, Stage, Streetcars, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: STILL Waiting for Soil Test Results From Dr. George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel’s Purported Murder HQ

Posted on March 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

Oh those Brits! The Express has jumped all over the story about Zooey Deschanel and Jamie Linden visiting the Sowden House, Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported Murder HQ. Naturally, since it’s a better story, they dub it the “Black … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1950, Architecture, Black Dahlia, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: STILL Waiting for Soil Test Results From Dr. George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel’s Purported Murder HQ

Bearthina Is Missing

Posted on March 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 27, 1913: Mrs. C.H. Hampton, 139 S. Olive St., is a woman with a stretch of bad luck. First her husband died, and then in December the former Mrs. Schwartz married a man named Hampton who talked her into … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, LAPD, Olive | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

AFSCME Seeks to Organize LAPD

Posted on March 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1943: The AFSCME sets up a local for LAPD officers, an action opposed by Police Chief Clemence “C.B.” Horrall and Deputy Chief Joe Reed.  The Los Angeles Police Protective League, established in the 1920s, began bargaining on behalf … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Film, Hollywood, Labor, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on AFSCME Seeks to Organize LAPD

LAPD in Standoff With Mad Gunman

Posted on March 19, 2013 by lmharnisch

The 900 block of South Francisco Street via Google Street View. March 19, 1913: F.C. Fredericks presents the LAPD with a difficult situation in the days before tear gas and swat teams (or indeed before negotiations by telephone). Fredericks was … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Downtown, LAPD | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Black Dahlia: George Hodel Murder HQ Soil Tests Overdue – Week 5

Posted on March 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

And in case you have forgotten…. Let me remind you that Christine Pelisek wrote in the Daily Beast on Feb. 3, 2013, that test results on soil taken from the Sowden House (George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported murder HQ) would … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 37

Posted on March 15, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 27, 1950: All quiet. Good nite. And with that, the LAPD and the district attorney’s office ended their surveillance of the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. At least a few of you have read every … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 36

Posted on March 14, 2013 by lmharnisch

Sounded like Hodel said something about Black Dahlia!!!! March 25, 1950: Hodel says he wants money and power — talking about China — talking about selling some of Hodel’s paintings or something. Hodel talking about picture police have of him … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 35

Posted on March 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 24, 1950: Another day of typing, peeing and ringing phones at the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. Only four days left! The George Hodel files Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 34

Posted on March 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1950: No, the police did not suddenly and inexplicably abandon the investigation. They ran away before they died of boredom. The George Hodel files Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 … Continue reading →

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Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 33

Posted on March 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

Conversation has now turned to corporations, stocks and bonds with Hodel doing very little talking!!!!!!! March 22, 1950: Even the police are bored. The good news is that we’re almost done. Only six more days! The George Hodel files Part … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 33