Category Archives: Music

Oh, God, That Bassoon!

Posted on October 29, 2006 by lmharnisch

Oct. 29, 1907Los Angeles Given The Times’ view of unions, it’s a little difficult to determine precisely what went wrong with a production of Ambroise Thomas’ “Mignon” at the Auditorium, but it went very wrong indeed because of a labor … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on Oh, God, That Bassoon!

Disharmony

Posted on September 26, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 26, 1907Long Beach Marco Vessella, conductor of Long Beach’s Royal Italian Band, has had nothing but trouble with Special Officer W.D. Cason after firing him from his job as ticket taker. On one September evening, Vessella and a young … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Education, LAPD, Music, Pasadena, Streetcars, Transportation | Comments Off on Disharmony

El Grito

Posted on September 18, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 17, 1907Los AngelesMexican Independence Day was celebrated in a grand program sponsored by the Club Porfiro Diaz of Los Angeles at Turner Hall, 325 S. Main (demolished 1951), which was decorated with American and Mexican flags.“The exercises were begun … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on El Grito

The Bucket of Blood

Posted on August 13, 2006 by lmharnisch

Aug. 12-13, 1907Los AngelesDespite the name Bismarck Cafe, police call the saloon at Main and Winston Streets the Bucket of Blood because it’s a continual source of crime and violence.It is a place, The Times says, “of drunken debauchery among … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1908, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on The Bucket of Blood

The Angry Swarm

Posted on August 1, 2006 by lmharnisch

Aug. 1, 1907Los Angeles A mass of bees “wandering in from the country” swirled along Broadway, forcing dainty young women and the toughest police officer to seek cover in a vain attempt to avoid being stung. “Whether attracted to the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on The Angry Swarm

Can This Be the Fourth of July?

Posted on July 4, 2006 by lmharnisch

July 4, 1907Los AngelesAnd how does Los Angeles celebrate Independence Day? With cricket matches and bagpipe contests. “The Times said: Oratory and music are to replace firewater and fireworks in this year’s celebration of Independence Day. The official program as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Fashions, LAPD, Music, Parks, Streetcars | 1 Comment

Soothing Music

Posted on June 19, 2006 by lmharnisch

June 19, 1907Los AngelesWhat shall we do with the insane? Don’t give them drugs… give them music! (Well, some music).Dr. E.C. Dent of the hospital for women on Ward’s Island in New York says: “I firmly believe in the curative … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Food and Drink, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on Soothing Music

From the recording horn

Posted on May 25, 2006 by lmharnisch

May 25, 1907Los Angeles Sold on the installment plan, $1 a week with the purchase of six records at 60 cents each, the Victor Talking Machines offered performances by Caruso, Melba and Scotti, as well as John Philip Sousa’s and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on From the recording horn

Paul Schrader’s 1971 Notes on Film Noir

Posted on May 11, 2006 by lmharnisch

Paul Schrader’s 1971 essay “Notes on Film Noir” in all its sappy, naive glory, with typos by me. In 1946, French critics, seeing the American films they had missed during the war, noticed the new mood of cynicism, pessimism and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Education, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Native Americans, Photography, Streetcars | Comments Off on Paul Schrader’s 1971 Notes on Film Noir

Bright Young Faces

Posted on March 18, 2006 by lmharnisch

“Who was the first man?” asked the teacher of an American boy.“Washington,” was the reply. He was reminded of Adam and observed: “Yes, if you count foreigners.”Henrietta B. Freeman paid a call on a schoolroom somewhere in Los Angeles in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1910, 1912, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Education, LAPD, Music, Streetcars | Comments Off on Bright Young Faces