Category Archives: LAPD

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

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins Heisman

Posted on November 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career. Dwight Chapin’s story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense–even Simpson said he was “pretty confident.” Who could blame … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, broadcasting, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Posted on November 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2008. Police Sgt. Gene T. Nash died after a shootout with robbery suspects in an apartment house on Budlong just south of Adams. In a televised ceremony, Police Chief William H. Parker presented … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Television | Comments Off

Nazi SS troops kill wealthy Jews in orgy of murder, November 23, 1938

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Death at Sachsenhausen. These old papers are full of ugly stereotypes, but this one makes a powerful contrast with the Holocaust coverage. The Times publishes a United Press story based a London News Chronicle account. The report says a group … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | 2 Comments

November 23, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo — Lincoln Heights

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Sam’s Lunch Room in 1938 and below, Avenue 19 via Google maps street view.

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off

Writer arrested for threatening wife with butcher knife, November 21 1958

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Suddenly it seemed the whole panorama of his life was a race and he was running last…. There was something in him that had to come out. He had to find a way to get … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

Police chief quits; Nazi fears drive Jews to suicide, November 17, 1938

Posted on November 17, 2008 by lmharnisch

Voice of executed man speaks from Tijuana grave. At left, the current film "The Citadel," with Rosalind Russell and Robert Donat. Police Chief James Davis, who figured in the Gordon Northcott "Changeling" case, says he’s stepping down to protect his … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Sports | Comments Off

November 12, 1958: Teenage hitchhiker killed

Posted on November 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Daryle Kelch was one of the most popular seniors at William S. Hart High School. He had a good friend, Douglas Austin, and a girlfriend, Karen Deadmon. And he was a dependable boy, according to the eulogy delivered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 3 Comments

Changeling — Finding Christine Collins

Posted on November 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Christine Collins’ residences, as shown on Google Earth. Christine Collins’ addresses in Google maps Dick Morris, a regular Daily Mirror reader, is a skilled researcher and passed along some material on Christine I. Collins. It fills in a few details … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 42 Comments

L.A. kidnappings, June 17, 1934

Posted on November 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes a stern warning to racketeers that kidnapping doesn’t pay, but about the only gangland figure it mentions is Les Bruneman. The story touches on the Gordon Northcott (notice that we call him Gordon Northrop) and William Edward … Continue reading →

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

Black Dahlia

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel’s "Black Dahlia Avenger," inscribed to James Ellroy, as listed on EBay for $19.99, in 2006. Steve Hodel is bringing his "Black Dahlia Avenger" presentation to the South Pasadena Public Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, City Hall, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Changeling — Part X

Posted on November 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott ignores his attorneys and argues with the judge, Dec. 5, 1928. Oct. 17, 1928: The Police Commission decides not to punish Capt. J.J. Jones for putting Christine Collins in a mental ward. The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 50 Comments

Changeling — Part IX

Posted on November 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott On the eve of Gordon Northcott’s sentencing, a mob goes to the jail where he is being held. One of the leaders is N.H. Winslow, the father of two of Northcott’s victims, Lewis … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

Changeling –Part VII

Posted on November 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo From left, prosecutor Earl (sometimes spelled Earle) Redwine, Loyal Kelley, A.H. de Tremaudan (sometimes spelled Tremandon), J. McKinley Cameron, David Sokol, Gordon … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Changeling — Part VI

Posted on November 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo In going through the photographs from the Gordon Northcott case, I’m struck by how different Northcott looks from one image to another. Sometimes he appears thoughtful, even bookish. In others, he looks quite demonic. In … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 4 Comments

Movie star beaten to death, November 1, 1968

Posted on November 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Newsmen gather outside Ramon Novarro’s house, 3110 Laurel Canyon, after he was found beaten to death, 1968. View Larger Map The 3100 block of Laurel Canyon, where Ramon Novarro lived, via Google maps’ street … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 5 Comments

Changeling — Part V

Posted on October 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photoThe Northcott ranch. Notice the stop sign used as a precursor to crime scene tape. Los Angeles Times file photoDetectives find a gun and an ax in the Northcott home in Los Angeles, but cannot link … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 9 Comments