Category Archives: Obituaries

Voices — Alexander Haig, 1924 – 2010

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

"As of now, I am in control here in the White House pending return of the vice president and (I am) in close touch with him." — Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Jr.,on the transfer of power after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries, Politics | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 13, 1951: Edith Head, the Paramount designer, says: "I don't know why I'm so happy these days unless it's because I've found a waist smaller than Veronica Lake's." The 21 1/2-inch waist belongs to Jan Sterling, Hedda Hopper … Continue reading →

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Recalling the Days of Payola

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  I was  "blown away" today to see my dad on the front page of the Mirror News. My dad, Norm Prescott, was a big DJ in Boston and New York. We all moved to Los Angeles in 1966. The … Continue reading →

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Stuntman Dies in Fall From Plane

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “The Days of Real Sport,” by Clare Briggs. Feb. 6, 1920: A ghastly story. Stuntman Earle (or Earl) Burgess  dies after performing stunts on the wing of a plane. He was clinging to the left landing skid when he … Continue reading →

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

Mystery Photo

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields in a photo stamped July 8, 1923. Their lives were made into the 1952 film “Somebody Loves Me” with Betty Hutton and Ralph Meeker. Aug. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Photography, Stage | 17 Comments

‘Queen for a Day’ Host Jack Bailey Dies

Posted on February 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 3, 1980: Al Martinez wrote a very clever obituary on TV host Jack Bailey, who died at the age of 72.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 16, 1942: Carole Lombard delivers a speech in Indianapolis in a rally to sell war bonds. Jan. 17, 1942: Lombard is killed on the flight returning to Los Angeles.  Jan. 31, 1942: Norman Corwin turned down an opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Obituaries | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 30, 1960

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

Rewarding Experience     Ad executive Henry Mayers and his wife came home from a trip to southeast Asia about a year ago appalled by the deluge of printed propaganda they saw extolling communism and attacking this country.     To help … Continue reading →

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Chief Says He Was Misquoted on Latinos

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Two youths are questioned in the killing of honor student Leonard Moore. Former homicide Detective Aldo Corsini dies at the age of 65. He handled many gruesome ax murders and poisonings of the 1930s and early 1940s and as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 26, 1960

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Diana Barrymore was in love with Tennessee Williams and wanted to marry him, the Mirror's Earl Wilson says.  We Quiz Quiz Guy Who Blew $64,000       Al Einfrank isn't exciting news copy.  Not any more.     Three years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 26, 1960

Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nice headline – does that make the nun a college girl? And I guess Kennedy isn’t a headline name yet. Jan. 26, 1960: The trial of Dr. R. Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff in the killing of Barbara Jean … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, JFK, Obituaries, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Remembering an Early Times Photographer

Posted on January 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Martin E. “M.E.” Rafert, Los Angeles Times The field at the Aviation Meet, Jan. 13, 1910. In going through The Times’ photos of the Aviation Meet, I discovered several with notations by Martin “M.E.” Rafert, a photographer for … Continue reading →

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Dave Barton Memorial Name List

Posted on January 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

“The Only Real Thing in the World Is Imagination.” Jan. 18, 1920: My late Times colleague Dave Barton, who used to collect amusing names, would have loved this item. I wish he would have been around when I discovered a … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Obituaries | 1 Comment

South Pasadena Author Dies

Posted on January 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 18, 1910: The Times publishes an obituary on author Margaret Collier Graham of South Pasadena. Editions of her books may be found at bookfinder.com. Scans of her books are also available at archive.org.

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Eisenhower Demurs on Endorsing Nixon

Posted on January 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

On the frontiers of medicine … Above, a news analysis of President Eisenhower’s refusal to make a formal endorsement of Vice President Richard Nixon in the presidential race. Below, Eisenhower’s comments from the Jan. 14, 1960, Times. The Times announces … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 15, 1960

Posted on January 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Crying Need     It has been decreed by someone who watches over us that motorists are better served by readjusting the white lines on many busy streets to create left-turn islands for those brave persons who might wish to … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Obituaries | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 15, 1960

L.A. Ready to Take to the Air

Posted on January 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  An aerial view of Los Angeles. The Times publishes photos of the aviation grounds and members of the aviation committee. "Each of the big aviators are made headliners each day and will contest for one prize or another daily. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Obituaries, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. Ready to Take to the Air

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on January 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Marie Mosquini in an undated photo. It looks as though this lady finally stumped the brain trust – my nickname for the mystery photo fans whose film knowledge always amazes me. I never … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries | 22 Comments

Police Raid Cult Headquarters

Posted on January 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “When Doc Rides and When He Walks.”  March 14, 1927, Peter the Hermit  learns some dance steps. Jan. 4, 1920: During a police raid on the Mazdaznan temple, "an old, queer looking man, attired in blonde whiskers, long frock … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Obituaries, Religion | 1 Comment

Laguna Beach Greeter at Rose Parade

Posted on January 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 1, 1967: Eiler Larsen, the Laguna Beach Greeter, says of hippies — “They will fade and I will last because I have goals and this ability to make friends no matter where I am.”   Jan. 2, 1970: … Continue reading →

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