Category Archives: Politics

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 11, 2021 by lmharnisch

Gladwin Hill’s “Dancing Bear: An Inside Look at California Politics,” published in 1968, is a new addition to my annual holiday gift suggestions. I’m generally cool toward books on California politics (the result of reading a zillion stories out of … Continue reading →

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L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 4, 2020 by lmharnisch

Gladwin Hill’s “Dancing Bear: An Inside Look at California Politics,” published in 1968, is a new addition to my annual holiday gift suggestions. I’m generally cool toward books on California politics (the result of reading a zillion stories out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, History, Politics, Ronald Reagan | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Motion Pictures Promote Suffrage

Posted on August 17, 2020 by lmharnisch

Women began campaigning for universal suffrage in the United States at the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. Over the next seven decades, they would patiently and persistently push the message of enfranchisement through ridicule, patronization, and insults from their opponents. Moving … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Mary Mallory, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Committee for the First Amendment Defends Free Speech

Posted on September 2, 2019 by lmharnisch

Herbert Biberman, one of the Hollywood 10, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2014. In times of social uncertainty and economic malaise, those in fear often turn to discriminating, finger pointing, blame and stonewalling, claiming … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

News Quiz, 1947: How Many Stories of the Year Do You Know?

Posted on December 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. I think of it as a report card from the past. For the last few months, the 47P has explored stories that seemed important or unusual, … Continue reading →

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October 1947: Idaho’s Singing Cowboy Senator, a Future Toupee Tycoon, Saddles Up for Cross-Country Ride

Posted on October 28, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Sen. Glen H. Taylor (D-Idaho) gave up his cross-country trip after three days, arriving in Phoenix by car with the admission that “he bit off … Continue reading →

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Oct. 19, 1947: Times Political Editor Kyle Palmer Waves the Banner for Earl Warren

Posted on October 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. RIVERSIDE, Oct. 18.—Gov. Earl Warren was formally and officially called on here today by the executive committee of the California Republican State Central Committee to … Continue reading →

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Sept. 30, 1886: ‘An Orgie Such as Even the Most Salacious Pen of Ancient Rome Never Dared Describe’

Posted on June 17, 2018 by lmharnisch

Sept. 30, 1886: We decided to dig out the original quote from Joe Mozingo’s history of the Los Angeles Times in Sunday’s paper. And let it be said that the editorial pages of frontier newspapers were not known for their … Continue reading →

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June 7, 1947: Kenneth Hahn Sworn in as L.A. Councilman

Posted on June 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Hahn retired from public service in 1992, after being elected 10 times to the county Board of Supervisors, beginning in 1952. Source: Los Angeles Times, June … Continue reading →

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Celebrity Politicians: Hollywood’s Honorary Mayors, Part I

Posted on June 4, 2018 by lmharnisch

Photo: Hugh Herbert, honorary mayor of Studio City, courtesy of Mary Mallory. Note: This is an encore post from 2012. Tomorrow is election day. Elections and politics are important to everyone, be they Joe Citizen or Joseph Kennedy. Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Politics, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

May 29, 1947: Richard Nixon to Summon Movie Figures to Testify on Communist Influences in Hollywood

Posted on May 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. WASHINGTON—A full-dress investigation to learn the extent of Communist infiltration of the Hollywood film industry and whether Federal officials or agencies encouraged production of motion pictures … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Four African Americans File for City Council 7th District Race

Posted on January 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Jan. 30, 1947: An ad in the Sentinel announces a preview of a model home in Carver Manor, a housing development designed by Paul R. Williams at 135th Street and Avalon Boulevard. Stanford Avenue in Carver Manor, via Google Street … Continue reading →

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Julian Bond: Video of 1968 Democratic National Convention

Posted on August 16, 2015 by lmharnisch

This is how I think of Julian Bond: At the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago (notice the shots of Mayor Richard J. Daley) being nominated for vice president, but too young to hold the job. (Yes, Bond is talking … Continue reading →

Posted in 1968, Obituaries, Politics, Television | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Left in Car While Mother Goes Dancing, Boy, 6, Drinks Fatal Shot of Whiskey

Posted on September 5, 2014 by lmharnisch

Harry Truman, friend of libraries! Sept. 5, 1944 Maria Fierro of 879 1/2 Lookout Drive decided to go dancing with Robert Fierro (apparently her brother) and Robert Gomez at a cafe in the 4600 block of Brooklyn Avenue (now Cesar … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Life Magazine, Aug. 21, 1944

Posted on August 21, 2014 by lmharnisch

The churning craft on the cover are amphibious tractors, sometimes called “alligators.” The alligator, armed with machine guns, is designed to carry small loads of troops through the water to an enemy beach and, if possible, to carry them through … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Film, Hollywood, Photography, Politics, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

GOP Picks Dewey in Race for President; California Gov. Warren Rejects Draft Movement

Posted on July 16, 2014 by lmharnisch

  June 29, 1944 I need to do a little catching up on national politics, with the Republican National Convention, which was held in Chicago. Of course, the convention was covered by Times political editor Kyle Palmer and as usual, … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, July 9, 1944

Posted on July 9, 2014 by lmharnisch

July 9, 1944 HOLLYWOOD — Politics is not my dish of tea. I write about the movies and love them. But I was knee deep in governors, senators and their wives while attending the Republican National Convention in Chicago and … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Walter Winchell on Broadway, March 29, 1944

Posted on March 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

March 29, 1944 The Private Papers of a Cub Reporter The following is an editorial from the St. Louis Star-Times titled: “Dies Committee’s Un-American Investigation of Winchell” … “The Dies committee to investigate Un-American activities, in the course of its … Continue reading →

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In 1944 in Print — Walter Winchell vs. Rep. Martin Dies

Posted on March 27, 2014 by lmharnisch

March 27, 1944 Rep. Martin Dies (D-Texas), the head of the House un-American Activities Committee, goes on the radio to accuse Walter Winchell of being used by “one of the most sinister forces this nation ever faced.” Dies called this … Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — The Lyons Den, March 23, 1944

Posted on March 23, 2014 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1944 When Walter Winchell didn’t file a column, the St. Petersburg Times ran Leonard Lyons’ “The Lyons Den” instead. All of which will be explained in a few days. At Mrs. Evelyn Walsh McLean’s party in Washington, Rep. … Continue reading →

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