Category Archives: Religion

Former child star dies in fight over $50, voices of Chavez Ravine, January 22, 1959

I finally found a Times story in which the paper talked about people living in the Chavez Ravine area. Cordell Hicks’ short story told of some local kids who tried to find a place in their neighborhood to play baseball. … Continue reading

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Vivian Leigh cast as Scarlett O’Hara, January 1939

  On January 14, 1939, The Times published the news that an English actress had been cast in the lead of "Gone With the Wind." Excuse me, but Jean Arthur as Scarlett? Hedda Hopper covers the furious reaction over David … Continue reading

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Thousands in Los Angeles pray for peace, January 14, 1939

About 4,000 worshipers attend a Perpetual Novena for Our Sorrowful Mother at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral. People knelt in the aisles, in the doorways and outside praying for peace and for relief of the poor, The Times says. County Supervisor Roger … Continue reading

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Paul Coates — Mikoyan interview, January 13, 1959

Interview With Coates Russian Stars on TV Show By Paul V. Coates, Mirror News Columnist When President Eisenhower sits down with Soviet Deputy Premier Anastas Ivanovich Mikoyan on Saturday to plan give-and-take with West Berlin and Germany, it’ll be Ike … Continue reading

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Baby abandoned at hospital; Times’ Oscar favorites, January 8, 1939

Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz is honored for 32 years of public service. Above, a baby nicknamed Little Buttercup is abandoned at White Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, The Times never followed up on what became of her. We also take a look at … Continue reading

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Christmas 1938

The Times’ front page features a poem by James "Sunrise Jim" Warnack, the paper’s religion writer for many years.

Posted in Front Pages, Religion | 1 Comment

Radio station cancels ads as Christmas present to listeners, Dodgers and Phillies swap players, December 24, 1958

As a Christmas gift to its viewers, radio station KPOL is going without ads for 48 hours … and watch for Santa Claus played by Peter Lorre (with Milton Berle) and Buster Keaton ("The Donna Reed Show")! The plot of … Continue reading

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Hanukkah 1980: Man recovers 400-year-old menorah from dump

The Goldberg family of Cheviot Hills usually kept their 400-year-old menorah in a bank vault, but Ellen Goldberg decided to show the family heirloom to a religion class she taught at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. She brought it home and left … Continue reading

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Vandals paint swastika on Hollywood synagogue, December 12, 1938

Vandals paint a swastika on Temple Beth El, 1508 N. Wilton. Nazi police censor sermons of Vienna’s Catholic priests. The former temple photographed by Nathan Marsak, who wrote a wonderful post on the 1947 project. Today’s edition of The Times … Continue reading

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Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

"Venta will return and be resurrected." Known as "the barefoot people." Above, followers of Krishna Venta describe life at the Fountain of the World religious compound and the bombing that killed 10 people. "A tower of blue and white flame … Continue reading

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Cult leader killed in bombing of religious compound, December 10, 1958

American history presented as a lavish pageant, the only film directed by Anthony Quinn, who took over from the ailing  Cecil B. DeMille. With a great score by Elmer Bernstein. An ad published in The Times shortly before the explosion. … Continue reading

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | 2 Comments

December 1, 1938: California prepares to execute two killers at San Quentin

The secret of Babe Ruth’s happy marriage: White Owl cigars. December 1, 1938: California prepares to use the gas chamber for executions rather than hanging.

Posted in #courts, 1938, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

Poison gas kills Disney’s mother, November 27, 1938

  Above, Walt Disney gave his parents a home at 4605 Placidia Ave., Toluca Lake, for their golden wedding anniversary. According to The Times, a faulty furnace connection let carbon monoxide into the house. Disney’s father, Elias, was found unconscious … Continue reading

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Film tells story of 1920s Jewish athletes

Photographs from Laemmle/Zeller Films A Jewish basketball team from 1921-22. ‘First Basket’ honors Jewish athletes Film documents the early days of organized basketball. By Gary Goldstein November 9, 2008 Inky Lautman of he Philadelphia SPHAS, about 1939-40. Did you hear … Continue reading

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November 7, 2008: Jews celebrate survival of Holocaust Torah

Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times Dr. Joel Kushner, left, and Rabbi Richard N. Levy unroll the Yanov Torah during a ceremony at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion near USC. The Torah survived the Holocaust by being cut … Continue reading

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Hitler speech blames Jews, November 9, 1938

"Grand Illusion" is "a work of haunting simplicity." The Nazis take revenge against German Jews after the shooting of Ernst von Rath. "I regret my action but I obeyed a will stronger than myself. I did it because I loved … Continue reading

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November 3, 1958: 44 shopping days until Christmas

Honestly! The Christmas ads start earlier every year. I remember when they used to wait until after Thanksgiving!

Posted in Fashion, Food and Drink, Religion | 1 Comment

New pope elected, October 29, 1958

Pope John 23rd, 1958-1963  Angelo Cardinal Roncalli, patriarch of Venice, is named Pope John 23rd. At 77, he defied expectations that he would be an interim figure before a younger man took over, according to The Times’ Robert Hartmann. On … Continue reading

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Cardinals vote on new pope; Lions win over Rams, October 27, 1958

The Rams lost their rematch with the Detroit Lions, 41-24, who finally looked like a team that won the NFL title in 1957. Players of the game: The Lions’ defenders, or as The Times’ Cal Whorton called them, “the pilfering … Continue reading

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October 19, 1938: Mystic vision

This appears to be just another photo of water spouting from a fire hydrant that was hit by a car. And indeed it is. But wait! What’s that weird building in the background?

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Religion | 1 Comment