Category Archives: Radio

Christmas on the Radio — Jack Benny

Posted on December 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

Jack Benny at the microphone, a photo listed on EBay for $9.97. Here are some of Jack Benny’s Christmas shows, courtesy of Archive.org. From 1936 | 1938 | 1941 | 1944 | 1947 | 1948

Posted in 1936, 1938, 1941, 1944, 1947, 1948, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas on the Radio — Christmas Eve, 1943

Posted on December 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

Rounding out our stroll along the radio dial, we check in with an NBC special Christmas Eve broadcast from Hollywood, Dec. 24, 1943, with reports from service personnel around the world. The host is Bob Hope, with Lionel Barrymore and … Continue reading →

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Christmas on the Radio — Fred Allen and Jack Benny

Posted on December 23, 2013 by lmharnisch

A photo of Jack Benny, left, and Fred Allen from “Love Thy Neighbor,” listed on EBay at $14.80. Christmas with Fred Allen and guest Jack Benny, from 1937, courtesy of Archive.org.

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Coming in January — 1944: The Year in Radio

Posted on December 23, 2013 by lmharnisch

Dec. 19, 1943: A new Philco radio cost the equivalent of of $1,721.07 in 2013 dollars. I had such an interesting time exploring Archive.org in search of radio broadcasts for Christmas 1943 that I have decided to try adding radio … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Radio | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Christmas on the Radio — ‘Fibber McGee and Molly’

Posted on December 22, 2013 by lmharnisch

A photo of Fibber McGee (Jim Jordan) and Molly (Marian Jordan) listed on EBay at $9.99. While we are twirling the radio dial looking for Christmas shows, here are some episodes from “Fibber McGee and Molly.” From 1941 (Dec. 16, … Continue reading →

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Christmas on the Radio — Lionel Barrymore in ‘A Christmas Carol’

Posted on December 22, 2013 by lmharnisch

Another staple of the radio era was a production of “A Christmas Carol” starring Lionel Barrymore as Ebenezer Scrooge. From Christmas Eve, 1939, courtesy of Archive.org.

Posted in 1939, Hollywood, Radio | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Christmas on the Radio — Dragnet ‘.22 Rifle for Christmas’

Posted on December 21, 2013 by lmharnisch

From the radio version of “Dragnet,” Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough) on the case of a missing 9-year-old boy in “.22 Rifle for Christmas.” From 1949 | From 1950 | From 1951 | From 1952 (with … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, LAPD, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Found on EBay – Masterpiece of 1940s Kitsch!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

This kitsch masterpiece from the 1940s has turned up on EBay. This is one of the Abbotwares radios, which were made in Los Angeles. Abbotwares produced a whole series of these bronze figurines with radios, but my favorite is the … Continue reading →

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: Hollywood’s Little Country Church – Emblem of Bygone Days

Posted on May 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

Throughout its history, the city of Hollywood has seen much come and go in the name of “progress.” Instead of remodeling and reusing a historic structure, as is done in Europe or the East Coast, most builders simply tear down … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Radio, Religion | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Parkey Sharkey — Found on EBay

Posted on April 27, 2013 by lmharnisch

Our old friend Parkey Sharkey appears in a photo that has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $19.99.  

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Found on EBay: Atwater Kent’s Love Child From a Drunken Night in a Trophy Shop

Posted on January 25, 2012 by lmharnisch

There isn’t much that shocks me anymore when it comes to 1940s kitsch. I grew up with a lot of it and saw even more when I prowled thrift stores. And there’s this … well, it looks like a drunken … Continue reading →

Posted in Found on EBay, Interior Design, Radio | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

4 Die as Streetcar Crushes Auto

Posted on December 29, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: 115th Street and Hawthorne Boulevard via Google’s Street View. Dec. 29, 1941: A streetcar heading north on Hawthorne Boulevard hits an automobile at 115th Street after the driver, apparently blinded by rain, entered the intersection. “The streetcar struck the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Radio, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 4 Die as Streetcar Crushes Auto

Carl and Jerry Get a Kindle Fire

Posted on December 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

Gort: Tannenbaum baringa! Futurism in 1958. I bought a Kindle Fire a few days ago and since it arrived I’ve been thinking about John T. Frye W9EGV. Unless you are an electronics geek of a certain age, it’s likely you … Continue reading →

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Army Is Prepared, but Needs to Toughen Up for War, General Says

Posted on December 1, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 1, 1941: With the attack on Pearl Harbor six days away, Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair says U.S. troops are ready to fight, but would suffer heavy losses with only six months of field training. “Properly trained units cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Music, Radio, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Army Is Prepared, but Needs to Toughen Up for War, General Says

Louis Adamic: Aimee Semple McPherson’s Fight With Satan

Posted on October 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

Note: The Daily Mirror HQ recently acquired another issue of Haldeman-Julius Monthly with another piece by Louis Adamic, author of “Cecil B. DeMille: Movie Evangelist.”  Here it is, courtesy of the OCR software of the HQ’s scanner. THE Reverend “Sister” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, Crime and Courts, Louis Adamic, Radio, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Nazi Swastika on Hollywood Hills!

Posted on September 7, 2011 by lmharnisch

Image: “I guess I’m a fool,” she panted. Credit: This Week magazine, Los Angeles Times Sept. 7, 1941:It’s Sunday in Los Angeles, and although Pearl Harbor is three months away, concern about the impending war is everywhere. Someone even changed … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Books and Authors, Film, History, Hollywood, Music, Radio, Religion, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Zoot Suit’ and History – Part 7

Posted on August 30, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: June 8, 1943 — A mob of servicemen stop a streetcar on Main Street to remove a passenger wearing a zoot suit. Here’s a second radio address by Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron, delivered June 16, 1943, on the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, City Hall, Crime and Courts, Downtown, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Latinos, Radio, San Francisco, World War II, Zoot Suit | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ‘Zoot Suit’ and History – Part 7

James Curtis: L.A. Voices – Dick Lane, Part 6

Posted on August 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

Image: Listening to the radio, Oct. 28, 1945. This is Part 6 of James Curtis’ 1975 interview with Dick Lane. In this segment, Lane discusses Jack Benny, roller derby, professional wrestling and Gorgeous George. James Curtis’ interview with Dick Lane … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, James Curtis, L.A. Voices, Radio, Television | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment