Category Archives: Stage

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Theatre

Posted on July 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 23, 1945: Gee, what do you suppose happens in "Motel Wives?" July 26, 1945: Luckily, we don't have to guess. We can look it up. 

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Man Thrown Off Yacht for Singing

Posted on July 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 22, 1889: A man nearly drowns after being thrown off a yacht returning from Santa Catalina Island because he insisted on singing the tune "White Wings," which was evidently considered bad luck. Note: If you search on the … Continue reading →

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New Theater Planned for Plaza

Posted on July 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 21, 1889: Plans for a new theater on the Plaza … and a nasty dispute between a landlady and her tenant. He won't pay the bill or move. "Tracy, on his side, says that Mrs. Fuller was very abusive … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown, Stage | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: The Follies Closes

Posted on July 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 20, 1942: The Follies Theater, 327 S. Main St., which was once the Belasco, closes. I have another address for the Belasco of 335 S. Main, which I'm guessing was part of the same building. Update: Michael, you raise … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Architecture, Downtown, Stage | 4 Comments

Update on ‘Long Sam’

Posted on July 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Since I wrote about Dorothy "Long Sam" Brown in 2007 I have received repeated inquiries about the beautiful young North Carolina woman who became famous in 1957 after being found living in a shack with no running water. Here's an … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay — Enrico Caruso

Posted on July 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Caruso in "I Pagliacci." What appears to be a collection of ephemera given by Enrico Caruso to Rosa Ponselle has been listed on EBay. There is no strong tie to Los Angeles, although both of them performed here. For example, … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, classical music, Music, Stage | 1 Comment

Houdini at the Orpheum!

Posted on July 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 6, 1899: The Times reminds tourists to watch out for pickpockets. July 6, 1899: Look who's playing at the Orpheum. It's Houdini, with his wife, doing the Oregon boot routine. There's also a female impersonator named Tacianu. On May … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, 1897, 1899, Comics, Music, Stage | Comments Off on Houdini at the Orpheum!

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 4, 1918: D.W. Griffith's "Hearts of the World" is playing at Clune's Auditorium 5th and Olive. At the Kinema, Grand Avenue at 7th Street, Mary Pickford stars in "How Could You, Jean," directed by William Desmond Taylor. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Stage | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on July 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 3, 1913: The reopened Lyceum will show a "movie" titled "The Battle of Gettysburg." The opening "will mark the establishment in Los Angeles of a real feature picture theater of the better class devoted exclusively to the showing … Continue reading →

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Entertainment

Posted on July 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 2, 1911: Ethel Barrymore at the Mason Opera House … and look! It's Marjorie Rambeau!

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Entertainment

Posted on July 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1909: "Sergeant Kitty" at the Majestic Theater … and baseball at Chutes Park. 

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Music

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 25, 1973: Phil Ochs (1940 – 1976) performs at the Ash Grove, 8162 Melrose, (1958 – 1973).

Posted in broadcasting, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Stage, Suicide | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Music

Grand Jury Vice Probe! Gilmore Field Expanded

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Put That Pistol Down, Young Lady."   Keith's 1949 post on Gilmore Field has dropped us in the middle of an extremely complicated grand jury investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department. To summarize: Officers James Parslow, Thomas C. Lindholm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Stage, Suicide | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Burbank Theater

Posted on June 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

This postcard of the Burbank Theater, 548 S. Main St., has been listed on EBay. The theater was built in 1893 and torn down in 1974.  Bidding starts at $8.

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San Francisco Court Bans Strip Scene in Play

Posted on June 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 13, 1899: San Francisco audiences are crowding the theater to see the "widely advertised disrobing scene" in Leon Gandillot's "The Turtle." Oct. 23, 1989: Sadie Martinot's scandalous scene in "The Turtle."   May 9, 1923: Sadie Martinot, star … Continue reading →

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Minstrels and the Salvation Army — Charles Ives Would Love It

Posted on June 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 7, 1889 Pairing a minstrel show and a Salvation Army band sounds like something Charles Ives might have liked. June 7, 1899: A jail inmate says a trusty beat him with a heavy set of keys.

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, LAPD, Music, Religion, Stage | Comments Off on Minstrels and the Salvation Army — Charles Ives Would Love It

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: New Broadway Hit

Posted on June 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 2, 1911

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Mystery Photo

Posted on May 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Our mystery person this week is Trixie Friganza, who died in 1955. Above, Friganza in "Canary Cottage, May 21, 1916. http://www.wat.tv/swf2/271206v2Nqz5R1406007 Trixie Friganza sélectionné dans Musique et Clips Just a reminder on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Stage | 24 Comments

May 20, 1939: Midnite Show at the Follies

Posted on May 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Political crises, European crises or stock market troubles mean nothing to our busy businessmen. They still heed the call of relaxation….”    

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May 19, 1939: Soldier Killed, Hundreds Hurt in Holy Land Riots

Posted on May 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

I can accept a talking cartoon pelican. I can even accept a talking cartoon pelican that has human hands. But I’m having a hard time with a talking cartoon pelican carrying a machine gun. Maybe it’s just me.

Posted in 1939, Comics, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports, Stage | 2 Comments