Category Archives: Obituaries

Quote: Peter Falk’s ‘Columbo’ Should Have Failed

Posted on June 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

Peter Falk, 1927 – 2011 Watching CBS’ new savior, Jeff Sagansky, hold his first press conference this week, I kept wondering whether he’d ever heard William Link, co-creator of “Columbo,” describe the origins of that classic Peter Falk detective show. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1927, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | Tagged #film, #hollywood, #obituaries, #TV | 1 Comment

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated +++]

Posted on June 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

Steven Bibb, a member of the Daily Mirror’s Brain Trust, has graciously shared some of his pictures as mystery photos. Thanks Steven! [Update: This is Dorothy Dell in a 1934 photo from “Wharf Angel.” Please congratulate Eve Golden for identifying … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Photography | Tagged #film, #hollywood, #mystery photo, #photography | 13 Comments

Architectural Rambling – The Van Griffith Estate

Posted on June 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

The Times Sunday Business section featured the former home of Van M. Griffith (d. 1974), the son of Griffith Park donor Colonel Griffith J. Griffith. (For some reason, the early stories in The Times refer to him as “Dan Griffith” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1925, Architecture, City Hall, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries, Politics, Real Estate, World War II | Tagged #1925, #City Hall, #LAPD, Architecture, architecture, crime and courts, lapd | 2 Comments

Memorial for Fallen Officer

Posted on June 20, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Larry Harnisch / LADailyMirror.com The South Pasadena Police Department set up a memorial for Officer Kevin A. Sandoval, 23, who died after he collapsed and hit his head during training at the Burro Canyon Shooting Park on June … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries | 1 Comment

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Reinvention [Updated]

Posted on June 19, 2011 by lmharnisch

[Updated June 21, 2011: Photographer Eddie Caraeff says: [Larry certainly was crazy! [I think Frank was just making a PG rated gesture w/ his hand, however that was many, many years ago. [Not sure you know that my Grandmother is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Obituaries, Photography | Tagged #music, #obituaries, #photography | 3 Comments

From the Reference Desk: Movie Star’s Mother Dies in Car Crash

Posted on June 18, 2011 by lmharnisch

Here’s a lesson in what to do if you don’t have access to ProQuest. Stacia of She Blogged by Night had a question the other day about car a accident involving Vera Steadman, Al Christie and Marie Prevost’s Mother, Mrs. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, Film, From the Reference Desk, Hollywood, Libraries, Obituaries, Transportation | Tagged #car accidents, #film, #hollywood, #movie stars, #obituaries | 4 Comments

LAPD End of Watch, June 16, 1935

Posted on June 16, 2011 by lmharnisch

The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. For June 16,the union honors Alfred C. “Scotty” Madon, a motorcycle officer who was fatally injured on June … Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries | Tagged crime and courts, lapd | Comments Off

LAPD End of Watch, June 15, 1920

Posted on June 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 23, 1915: LAPD motorcycle officers take delivery of 37 new Indian motorcycles, capable of 75 mph. The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League always honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, 1915, 1920, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries, San Fernando Valley, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged crime and courts, lapd | Comments Off

Queen of the Dead by Eve Golden

Posted on June 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

You’ll recognize Eve Golden as one of the Daily Mirror regulars. Now that I’m no longer at latimes.com I’m free to use outside writers and Eve is my first addition. She describes herself as: a biographer, show-business historian, photo archivist … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Photography, Queen of the Dead, Religion, Stage | 9 Comments

End of Watch, June 13, 1991

Posted on June 13, 2011 by lmharnisch

LAPD Officer Charles Randall “Randy” Champe LAPD Officer Gary Alan Howe The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League always honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. For June 13, the union features … Continue reading →

Posted in 1991, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries | Tagged crime and courts, lapd | Comments Off

Found on EBay – 1909 Mayor’s Race

Posted on June 9, 2011 by lmharnisch

A campaign button for George A. Smith has been listed on EBay. The vendor mistakenly identifies the individual as Mayor George Alexander. Actually, this is onetime Councilman George A. Smith, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1909 against Alexander. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1909, City Hall, Found on EBay, Obituaries, Politics | Comments Off

Voices: James Arness, 1923 – 2011

Posted on June 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

James Arness, from “Them!” to “Gunsmoke” and "How the West Was Won." Times TV critic Howard Rosenberg interviewed Arness (or tried to) in 1981 as he began working on “McClain’s Law.” Arness was thrifty with his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1923, 1954, broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | 2 Comments

Yankee Legend Lou Gehrig Dies at 37

Posted on June 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

une 3, 1941: Until he lapsed into a coma, New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig, the “Iron Horse” of baseball, was sure he would win against the rare disease that was slowly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Baseball, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Audie Murphy Dies in Plane Crash, June 1, 1971

Posted on June 1, 2011 by lmharnisch

June 1, 1971: World War II hero Audie Murphy, whose record as the Army’s most decorated soldier launched a movie career, dies in a plane crash with five other people.Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor, two Silver Stars, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off

Vice President Predicts ‘Long, Costly’ Struggle in Southeast Asia

Posted on May 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

May 24, 1961: Radio and TV comedy star Joan Davis dies of a heart attack and gets a Page 1 obituary with a jump. Raymond Chandler got an six-paragraph obituary on Page 4. Davis was 48 when she died.

Posted in 1961, broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Politics, Raymond Chandler, Television | 1 Comment

Gary Cooper Dies of Cancer at 60

Posted on May 14, 2011 by lmharnisch

May 14, 1961: Gary Cooper dies of cancer at his home, 200 Baroda Drive, Holmby Hills. He was 60. “Cooper, Hollywood's homespun hero, was another product of its big star era — the same era … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

U.S. Launches Astronaut Alan Shepard: ‘Boy What a Ride!’

Posted on May 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

May 6, 1961: Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. was rocketed 115 miles above the Earth in a flawless suborbital flight and recovered safely 302 miles down the Atlantic Missile Range to become America's first man … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, art and artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Mickey Cohen, Obituaries, Religion | 2 Comments

Voices: Jackie Cooper, 1922 – 2011

Posted on May 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

June 14, 1931: "Naw, I ain't gonna be no actor when I grow up," Jackie Cooper tells The Times. "Ya know, last season I thought I'd like to be a football player, but baseball players … Continue reading →

Posted in 1931, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Posted on May 1, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo [Update 2: This is indeed Eddie Quillan (d. 1990) in an undated photo from his Mack Sennett days, stamped March 5, 1984, by The Times library.] [Update: Please congratulate Mary Mallory, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Photography | 49 Comments

Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, April 1, 1961

Posted on April 1, 2011 by lmharnisch

April 1, 1961: Barbara Mills, a dancer who performed as April Adams and Chondelli, dies after being found in a coma at the Coronet Motel, 5410 Hollywood Blvd. We don’t know much more about her … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off