Category Archives: Religion

The Era of Fear and Prophesies of Doom, May 17, 1959

Posted on May 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Gaaah! What were they thinking? No wonder these were on sale! This Sunday paper is an alarming time capsule with fear and anxiety on every page, plus a little sex here and there. At left, "What We Must Know About … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, books, Comics, Dodgers, Downtown, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Religion, Richard Nixon, Transportation | Comments Off

Millionaire Picked Up for DUI, Episcopalians Call Atomic Power Part of God’s Creation, May 16, 1959

Posted on May 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Kim Novak and Cary Grant dance until dawn at Cannes. The Geneva summit talks provide a little humor for our favorite Pasadena gun dealer. Some of the Arechigas are still in Chavez Ravine. Evidently it takes time to build new … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

Minister, Wife Charged With Sex Crimes, April 1939

Posted on April 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

I came across several 1939 stories about the Rev. Joseph Jeffers and his wife, Zella, who were charged with committing an "unnatural act" that was so scandalous The Times couldn't even describe it. In fact, this act was so … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Religion | 1 Comment

Honor Farm Opens to Ease Jail Crowding, April 25, 1939

Posted on April 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Corrections and rehabilitation as practiced in 1939. The honor farm will house 600 men who would otherwise be held in jail. At left, Werner Philipp's portrait of Katherine Dunham, which was found in a Ventura antique store. Read more … Continue reading →

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A Jewish Pioneer Who Helped Build L.A.

Posted on April 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Frances Dinkelspiel Frances Dinkelspiel, whose biography of her great-great-grandfather Isaias Hellman has received good notices, is one of the many writers who will be at The Times Festival of Books. For those not venturing to UCLA on Sunday, she will … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Downtown, Religion | Comments Off

Minister Vows to Fight Morals Charge, April 22, 1939

Posted on April 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

April 19, 1939: Joseph Jeffers and his wife, Zella Joy, are accused of committing "unnatural acts" in the privacy of their home. The Los Angeles County district attorney's office used a hidden dictograph to get evidence.

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Minister, Wife Held on Morals Charge, April 19, 1939

Posted on April 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

April 19, 1939: Joseph Jeffers and his wife, Zella Joy, were accused of engaging in an illegal act in the privacy of their own home that was so obscene The Times couldn't say what it was. Even their private discussions … Continue reading →

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October 28, 1956: Charlton Heston on the ‘Ten Commandments’

Posted on April 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

We had our religion writer Dan Thrapp interview Charlton Heston about his role as Moses in “The Ten Commandments.” Fortunately, Thrapp was not from the “over a salad and mineral water at the Polo Lounge” or “speaking by phone from Paris, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Religion | Comments Off

Hard Times on Eastwood Set; Los Angeles Radio, April 6, 1969

Posted on April 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

An image that resonates with the famous 1971 ad of Iron Eyes Cody. It's Easter Sunday in 1969, and The Times features a story about the date of the crucifixion on Page 1. Biologists tally the number of seals who … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Comics, Environment, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo, March 31, 1939

Posted on March 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

Posted in Architecture, Nuestro Pueblo, Religion | Comments Off

Gala Premiere for ‘Anne Frank”; Hockey at the Arena? March 27, 1959

Posted on March 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Hey, look! It’s one of those weird foreign compacts they used to sell in the 1950s. Of course, for $2,195 you could get a Chevrolet Biscayne with money left over. "Red Roses for Courage" was the theme of the premiere … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Religion, Sports | 2 Comments

Paul Coates — Confidential File, March 25, 1959

Posted on March 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File Quiet Costs Merely $14 for 15 Minutes RIPLEY, Tenn, (AP) — A businessman who doesn’t like rock ‘n’ roll music bought 15 minutes of radio time yesterday and devoted almost all of it to silence. James W. Porter … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Front Pages, Mickey Cohen, Music, Paul Coates, Religion, Rock 'n' Roll | Comments Off

Nixons Visit Capistrano; Alcindor Era Ends, March 23, 1969

Posted on March 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

President and Mrs. Nixon join Cardinal McIntyre at San Juan Capistrano. One of college basketball’s most dominating players ended his college career in customary fashion as Lew Alcindor led UCLA to its fifth national championship in six seasons with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon, Sports | 1 Comment

New Pope Crowned; Fleeing Jews Trapped in Snow, March 13, 1939

Posted on March 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

Ads for Gilmore gas take a more informal tone than most others. Czech mob attacks Nazis. The world’s Roman Catholics welcome a new pope, Pius XII, the first time a papal coronation was broadcast on radio. The guests included Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

Mystics Predict the ‘Big One’ Will Destroy California; Dodger Recalls Negro Leagues, March 12, 1969

Posted on March 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

L.A. is doomed! … Again! "The most knowledgeable scientists say not only inconceivable but ridiculous." Above, Mama Cass sings "California Earthquake," one of the tunes inspired by the notion that a huge quake was about to destroy the state. Another … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, Religion, Sports | Comments Off

Random Shot –Temple B’nai B’rith, 1896

Posted on March 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo I can’t even explain it, but I adore this building, Temple B’nai B’rith at Hope and 9th streets, which was built in 1896. The congregation sold the building in February 1927 and moved to Wilshire … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Religion | 4 Comments

Misterogers Visits KCET; Tom Lasorda at Spring Training, March 3, 1969

Posted on March 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Fred Rogers visits KECT-TV, with King Friday XIII and the rest. I know that high-minded Daily Mirror readers will completely ignore the story at left about streaking and that the subject of naked college kids running around holds no interest … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, broadcasting, Dodgers, Education, Politics, Religion, Television | 1 Comment

World Mourns Death of Pope; Ban Baseball on Radio? February 18, 1939

Posted on February 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Daily Mirror is a few days late with coverage of the passing of Pope Pius XI, who died at the Vatican on Feb. 10, 1939. In Los Angeles, Pius XI was remembered in an elaborate Mass at St. … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Religion, Sports, Stage | 1 Comment

Coming Attractions — City of Seekers

Posted on February 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Los Angeles Conservancy is sponsoring a self-driving tour of five landmarks in the spiritual history of L.A.: Angelus Temple, the Self-Realization Fellowship Mother Center, Chapel of the Jesus Ethic, the Philosophical Research Society and the Bonnie Brae House, home … Continue reading →

Posted in Coming Attractions, Religion | Comments Off

Jewish Home for the Aged — Ida Mayer Cummings

Posted on January 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Ken Dare / Los Angeles Times Ida Mayer Cummings, Dec. 15, 1957. Alicia Mayer Beverley writes from Australia: I ran across your blog entry on the 1957 Women of the Year. My great-grandmother Ida Mayer Cummings is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, health, Religion, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off