Category Archives: Television

Mystery photo

Photograph by Bob Potwin / Los Angeles Times I suspect that regular Daily Mirror readers will guess him right away. Update: Gardner McKay in 1962 with his dog, named Pussycat. Photograph by George R. Fry Los Angeles Times Please congratulate … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Television | 25 Comments

36 homes burn in Malibu fire, December 3, 1958

  I have seen some ugly Page 1 layouts but this headline takes the prize.   Corral Canyon fire, 1958   Corral Canyon fire, 2007. One fire began near Bob Hope Ranch, the other near 20th Century Fox movie ranch … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Architecture, broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Real Estate, Sports, Television | 2 Comments

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins Heisman

O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career. Dwight Chapin’s story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense–even Simpson said he was “pretty confident.” Who could blame … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, broadcasting, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Note: This is an encore post from 2008. Police Sgt. Gene T. Nash died after a shootout with robbery suspects in an apartment house on Budlong just south of Adams. In a televised ceremony, Police Chief William H. Parker presented … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Television | Comments Off on LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Comedian dies during Friars roast, November 24, 1958

Ozone in downtown Los Angeles reaches 0.49 parts per million, just short of a Stage 1 alert. Today, 0.50 would be a Stage 3 alert. Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller arrive in New York. Comedian Harry Einstein, 53, known as … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Nightclubs, Obituaries, Television | 4 Comments

November 17, 1968: The ‘Heidi Game’ remembered

Big Scream TV Today is the 30th Anniversary of ‘The Heidi Game’, a Landmark Moment in Television Sports History Timeline 1:05: Jets take a 32-29 lead on a 26-yard field goal by Jim Turner. Raiders’ Charlie Smith returns kickoff to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1968, Blues, broadcasting, Sports, Television | 4 Comments

Voices — Jay Fiondella

Above, Jay Fiondella sets off to look for World War II planes that crashed in Greenland. "My Holy Grail." "Adventure is out there."

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off on Voices — Jay Fiondella

American Basketball Association comes to L.A., October 30, 1968

By Keith Thursby Times staff writer The American Basketball Assn., which gave the world three-pointers, slam dunk contests and Dr. J., came to Los Angeles for a brief stop. The team was called the L.A. Stars but its real star … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Sports, Television | Comments Off on American Basketball Association comes to L.A., October 30, 1968

Morse code vs. text messaging

Which is faster, Morse code or text messaging? Jay Leno has the answer. (Score one for the brass pounders!) This is what 40 words per minute sounds like.            

Posted in broadcasting, Science, Television | Comments Off on Morse code vs. text messaging

A trip through skid row bars, October 18, 1958

Times religion editor Richard Mathison puts on a Salvation Army uniform and makes the rounds of skid row bars soliciting money. The organization instructs its workers: "Remember, this could be you or someone you love very much."

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Religion, Sports, Television | Comments Off on A trip through skid row bars, October 18, 1958

Wrigley Field, October 17, 1958

Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle in "Home Run Derby" at Wrigley Field. By Keith ThursbyTimes staff writer Found a small but intriguing story about off-season baseball at Wrigley Field. Can you imagine seeing the 1958 Dodgers in the friendly confines … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Dodgers, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Hollywood memories — Edie Adams

Television loses one of its greatest artists: Ernie Kovacs. At left, Ernie Kovacs’ death left Edie Adams in financial straits. One way she recouped was by making ads for Muriel Cigars. After all, Kovacs was a famous cigar smoker (although … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, Hollywood, Obituaries, Stage, Television | 7 Comments

Bob Kelley — the voice of the Rams

Bert Convy … or Dave Brubeck. By Keith Thursby Times staff writer Too bad I never got the chance to listen to Bob Kelley. Sounds like he was one of a kind. Kelley was the longtime Ram voice who was … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Sports, Television | 4 Comments

Voices — Gil Stratton, 1922 – 2008

William Holden and Gil Stratton in "Stalag 17." Here’s broadcaster Gil Stratton, speaking about his career, at an Old Farts luncheon, May 16, 2007.

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries, Television | 2 Comments

The new TV season, October 11, 1958

Roberta Jymme Shore of Disney’s "The Shaggy Dog" models current hairstyles. These new Saturday shows didn’t last long: "U.S. Marshal" with John Bromfield;  "Man Without a Gun" with Rex Reason; and "Cimarron City" with George Montgomery. But look who else … Continue reading →

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The new TV season, 77 Sunset Strip, October 10, 1958

The new Friday shows of the 1958 TV season include some short-lived programs (Charles Bronson in "Man With a Camera") and one of the landmarks of the 1950s, "77 Sunset Strip." Warner Bros. spun off this series into another hit, … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Television | 1 Comment

New fall TV shows, October 9, 1958

Just say the secret word! Tonight we have "Playhouse 90," starring Jackie Gleason in William Saroyan’s "The Time of Your Life." I wonder what the younger generation, raised on "American Idol," makes of a 90-minute network TV show devoted to … Continue reading →

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Chucko the Clown on KABC-TV, 1956

Chucko the Clown, entertaining young viewers while moms do the housework. Accompanied by a great little video.

Posted in broadcasting, Television | 2 Comments

October 8, 1958: New fall TV shows

The new Wednesday night shows debut, with Gene Barry in “Bat Masterson,” a short-lived series that tried to capitalize on the popularity of the TV Westerns. Hey it’s “Wagon Train” with Dean Stockwell!

Posted in 1958, broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

The fall TV season, October 6, 1958

The fall 1958 television season begins with some returning shows ("Highway Patrol") and some new programs, including "The Ann Sothern Show" and "Desilu Playhouse." Although "Desilu Playhouse" had a relatively brief run, it is notable for launching two of the … Continue reading →

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