Category Archives: Television

Yet Another Killer Dad in the Black Dahlia Case

Posted on November 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

The front page of the Los Angeles Examiner, Jan. 25, 1947. The only message ever confirmed to be from the Black Dahlia’s killer. With the publication of Steve Hodel’s “Black Dahlia Avenger” and “Most Evil,” I assumed that the market … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Homicide, LAPD, Television | 1 Comment

House Committee to Investigate Payola

Posted on November 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 7, 1959: A U.N. group finds no proof that Laos had been invaded by communist troops from North Viet-Nam but discovers that Laotian rebels were supplied by Viet-Nam Reds. You may hear more about Viet-Nam in the days ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Television | Comments Off

Dodgers Deliver Plans for Stadium

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 5, 1959: An artist’s concept of Dodger Stadium. Look at all the parking! "We have submitted plans for what we believe will be the most beautiful sports stadium in the world, in keeping with the best interest … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, broadcasting, City Hall, Dodgers, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Charles Van Doren’s Statement – Full Text

Posted on November 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 3, 1959: "I would give almost anything I have to reverse the course of my life in the last three years. I cannot take back one word or action; the past does not change for anyone. But at … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Nov. 2, 1959

Posted on November 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

TV game show winner Charles Van Doren says everything was a fake. There's a Strange Girl in His Bath TOKYO — You know what you've always heard about those Japanese public baths? Well, don't believe it. We Americans … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Paul Coates, Television | 1 Comment

Orson Welles Describes Offer for Rigged Quiz Show

Posted on November 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 1, 1959: Orson Welles says he turned down an offer to pose as a genius on a TV quiz show, explaining that he knew nothing about baseball and would miss all such questions. A producer told him: “We're not … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Sports, Television | Comments Off

KNX’s Mornings With Bob Crane

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 9, 1959: The Times profiles KNX announcer Bob Crane, who became the star of “Hogan’s Heroes.” Somewhere at the Daily Mirror HQ, I’ve got an LP that KNX released with Bob Crane on one side and Pat Buttram … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Television | Comments Off

Lili St. Cyr Remarries

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Charles Van Doren reportedly confesses to getting answers for the TV game show "Twenty-One.' Oct. 29, 1959: Americans are ashamed that the U.S. is behind the Soviets in the space race … And Lili St. Cyr is … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, health, Television | Comments Off

Catching Up With ‘Twilight Zone’

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 4, 1959: I almost didn’t post this Cecil Smith column because it’s not terribly well done and is mostly Smith rambling to great length about ghost stories. But I reminded myself that at this point, very few people … Continue reading →

Posted in books, broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

TV Star’s Wife Returns After Suicide Attempt

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Reporters meet Virginia Arness at the airport and follow her home. Photographers ask James Arness, the star of "Gunsmoke," to pose with her, but he refuses. Oct. 26, 1959: The front page teases a story about the Lions getting … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, Sports, Television | Comments Off

Smog Alert!

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Funeral services for quintuplets born a few days earlier. Oct. 23, 1959: A pall of smog covers the city as county supervisors plan to send a representative to talk to Detroit auto executives about emission controls.

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Front Pages, Television | 2 Comments

Voices: Soupy Sales, 1926 – 2009

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

May 22, 1985: TV critic Howard Rosenberg interviews Soupy Sales: Once, when Tom Snyder noted in an interview that some of his detractors regarded him as "the Soupy Sales of the newsroom," Soupy replied: "Let me add there is … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off

Tent Revival in El Monte

Posted on October 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

A.A. Allen stages a tent revival in El Monte, with faith healing. Oct. 17, 1959: Dear True Love, wait until the Shangri Las release “The Leader of the Pack.”

Posted in Columnists, Music, Religion, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off

Fire Closes in on Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Posted on October 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 14, 1959: The Mirror brings out an extra on the La Canada fire, which is within a mile and a half of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The story says the fire moved half a mile in five minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, Television | 1 Comment

Dodgers Take Series!

Posted on October 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 8, 1959: The Mirror celebrates the Dodgers’ victory! And NBC suspends Charles Van Doren. USC students protest new regulations imposed after the death of Richard Swanson during a fraternity hazing. Elvis says of being in the Army: "It … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers, Education, Front Pages, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off

October 3, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 3, 1959: Thelonious Monk leaves after playing two numbers at the Hollywood Bowl Jazz fest. Paul Coates says Mike Wallace decides not to have Aldous Huxley on his TV show because Huxley wasn’t well known. Huxley asked: “Mike Wallace? … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Paul Coates, Television | Comments Off

Dodgers Lose Game 1

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 2, 1959: A carnival mood prevailed throughout the night and early morning as the ticket line — which stretched around the Coliseum — waited patiently for the windows to open. But the holiday spirit changed to dismay and then … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports, Television | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Engineer Bill

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

This bit of memorabilia for "Cartoon Express" TV show host Engineer Bill Stulla has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $10.

Posted in broadcasting, Television | Comments Off

Woody Allen and Billy Graham

Posted on September 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Woody Allen got a rave review in The Times for his upcoming CBS special. Can you think of anything as weird or complex or interesting as the thought of Allen sitting in a chair next to evangelist Billy Graham, discussing … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Religion, Television | Comments Off

A New Format for KLAC