Category Archives: LAPD

Voices — Christine Collins, May 16, 1929

Posted on December 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words.

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off

Voices — Christine Collins, May 3, 1929

Posted on December 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

From the California State Archives The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. San Gabriel, Calif.May 3, 1929 Mr. A EichoffSan Francisco, Calif. Dear Sir: I am … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Geronimo Pratt case 40 years later

Posted on December 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Elmer Gerard "Geronimo" Pratt in 2000, after his release from prison. 'Lie down and pray' Gunshots on a Santa Monica tennis court reverberated across legal landscape. Note: Edward J. Boyer, now retired, covered the Elmer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 11 Comments

December 22, 1938: Jealous husband kills wife with ax

Posted on December 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Testimony in the murder trial was so graphic that spectators became ill and fled the courtroom, The Times said.

Posted in #courts, 1938, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Voices — Christine Collins, February 21, 1928

Posted on December 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, George B. Anderson’s letter to Christine Collins and below, his letter to Walter Collins.

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off

January 27, 1928: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on December 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

From the California State Archives Los Angeles, Calif. Jan. 27, 1928 Mr. Myron Clark, Assistant Clerk, Reprisa, Calif. Dear Sir, I want to thank you for the nice letter you sent me in answer to the letter I forwarded … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1928, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Comments Off

A Dragnet Christmas — boy gets .22 rifle

Posted on December 20, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s Jack Webb’s downbeat Christmas present to "Dragnet" viewers, and the original radio version of ".22 Rifle for Christmas." This is a wonderful example of how the writers in the early days of television treated TV like radio with pictures. … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD | 2 Comments

January 4, 1928: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on December 20, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie “Changeling” tells her story in her own words. From the California State Archives

Posted in #courts, 1928, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 3 Comments

Robbers shoot couple on Santa Monica tennis court, Bills seek new coach, December 19, 1968

Posted on December 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

My heart skipped a beat when I pulled up this page. Of course, this is the beginning of the Geronimo Pratt case. Note the Ted Thackery Jr. byline. — lrh The Buffalo Bills had big plans in 1968. Not … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off

Voices — Christine Collins, July 5, 1927

Posted on December 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words.

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 2 Comments

Voices — Christine Collins, July 1, 1927

Posted on December 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. From the California State Archives Los Angeles, Calif.July 1, 1927 Warden Court Smith Dear Sir: I … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Voices — Christine Collins, October 2, 1925

Posted on December 17, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. From the California State Archives Los Angeles, Calif. Oct. 2, 1925 Mr. Thomas M. Gannon … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Voices — Christine Collins, September 13, 1925

Posted on December 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. From the California State Archives Los Angeles, Calif.Sept. 13, 1925 Mr. Gannon,No. 1 Sansome St.San Francisco, Calif. Dear Sir, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

December 13, 1953: Father charged with leaving son, 4, in car parked on skid row

Posted on December 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

This is one of those haunting stories from The Times. I wonder what happened to Kenny Ross and whether he ever became a writer.

Posted in #courts, 1953, Front Pages, LAPD | 1 Comment

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

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

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.

Posted in #courts, 1938, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

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

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

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

Gambling and vice on Central Avenue, December 7, 1938

Posted on December 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

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 →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports, Stage | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

The English edition of the March 1936 issue of Black Mask has turned up on EBay. This issue features Raymond Chandler’s "The Man Who Liked Dogs." It’s listed as Buy It Now for $299. On the other hand, the e-text … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Downtown, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Bomb found at Coliseum, December 4, 1958

Posted on December 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

A time bomb was discovered under a temporary platform for college cheerleaders at the Coliseum. The device apparently had been set to go off at 2 p.m., which was the starting time of the Nov. 15 UCLA-Oregon game, police said. … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Sports | Comments Off

December 1, 1938: California prepares to execute two killers at San Quentin

Posted on December 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

The secret of Babe Ruth’s happy marriage: White Owl cigars. December 1, 1938: California prepares to use the gas chamber for executions rather than hanging.

Posted in #courts, 1938, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment