Category Archives: World War II

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 8

Posted on March 6, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. Good grief, Harnisch, eight posts and you’re still on Page 1? … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, Brain Trust, Film, Hollywood, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Libraries, World War II | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

‘Enemy Aliens’ Farms Ideally Located to Sabotage L.A., Times Says

Posted on March 4, 2012 by lmharnisch

March 4, 1942: In what must surely be a classic example of war hysteria, The Times publishes a master map of land owned or leased by “enemy aliens” that constitutes ideal locations to conduct espionage, operate signaling outposts and stage … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Artists, Film, Hollywood, Nuestro Pueblo, Theaters, World War II | Tagged , , | Comments Off on ‘Enemy Aliens’ Farms Ideally Located to Sabotage L.A., Times Says

Ansel Adams – Images of Los Angeles

Posted on March 2, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: “The Pup.” Notice that it served French dip sandwiches! Credit: Los Angeles Public Library. I stopped by the reception for the Ansel Adams show at drkrm, 727 S. Spring St., on Wednesday night to see the photos of Los … Continue reading →

Posted in Coming Attractions, Libraries, Nuestro Pueblo, Photography, World War II | Tagged , | 6 Comments

‘Full Service’: Fun With Fact-Checking, Part 6

Posted on February 29, 2012 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I’m doing a little fact-checking as I go through Scotty Bowers’ “Full Service.” This will be fairly tedious except to a research drudge. In our last installment, I didn’t do all that well on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1945, 1946, 1947, Books and Authors, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, World War II | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

UCLA Provost Calls for a Return to Basics in Education

Posted on February 25, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 25, 1942: UCLA Provost Earle Hedrick (d. 1943) describes the prevailing disdain for the “three Rs” as “the Pearl Harbor” of American education. Charging that American education is ruled by an elite clique, Hedrick says: “I propose that we … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Education, Film, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Times Editorial Praises Japanese Evacuation

Posted on February 21, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 21, 1942: The Times editorial page praises the Japanese evacuation while scolding the government for its slow response. I think this is my favorite quote: … it is important to remember in case any situations of the kind arise … Continue reading →

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Japanese Evacuation: Images of Executive Order 9066

Posted on February 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

Scott Harrison, my colleague on The Times photo desk, has posted a gallery of images from the evacuation of Japanese Americans in 1942. He plans to add to these photos, so check back for more.

Posted in 1942, Photography, World War II | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

GIs Want More Form in Women’s Uniforms — Olive Drab Too Drab!

Posted on February 18, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 18, 1942: Pvt. Fred A. Ranker of the 3rd Coast Artillery begins a campaign against what he considers women’s unflattering uniforms. On his first pass since Pearl Harbor, Ranker dashed to Hollywood Boulevard. “Instead of the usual beauty parade, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Fashion, Hollywood, World War II | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bowling for Victory! Keglers vs. the Axis!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 16, 1942: America’s 16 million bowlers are being asked to help promote physical fitness and mental alertness for the nation’s fighting men in their war against the Axis, and to provide relaxation for defense workers!  No effort will be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Sports, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on Bowling for Victory! Keglers vs. the Axis!

‘Hellzapoppin’ " Opens in Los Angeles

Posted on February 10, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 10, 1942:  The Hawaii Theater at Hollywood and Gower becomes a first-run theater (adios, Charles Foster Kane) with “Hellzapoppin.’ ” The “Congaroos” are “colored performers” who do “snappy dances.” “Stand-ins of the Hollywood stars” sounds like a gag, but … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Film, Hollywood, Theaters, World War II | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

U.S. Moves to ‘War Time’

Posted on February 9, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 9, 1942: It’s a sad day at the Daily Mirror HQ. No more Jimmie Fidler. The U.S. moves to Daylight Saving Time “for the duration,” which will last until six months “after the day America wins the war,” The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, African Americans, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Religion, World War II | Tagged | 5 Comments

FBI Continues Raids on Japanese Homes

Posted on February 8, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 8, 1942: FBI agents lead local law enforcement in the continuing raids on Japanese communities.  “Trunks and storerooms were ransacked, suspicious areas of newly turned earth were dug into and all buildings were carefully investigated,” The Times said. After … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Washington, World War II | Tagged | Comments Off on FBI Continues Raids on Japanese Homes

Body of Kidnapped Girl Found in Riverbed

Posted on February 4, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 4, 1942: “As Coroner R.E. Williams and his aides bore the pitiful little body, still clad in her gay blue and white striped red school dress, toward town for an autopsy to determine the cause of death, the hundreds … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, A Kinder, Simpler Time, Art & Artists, Cold Cases, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

L.A. County Board Recommends Roundup of All Japanese

Posted on February 3, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 3, 1942: The FBI, police and sheriff’s deputies round up 336 “alien Japanese fishermen” on Terminal Island. “Operating with machine-like efficiency, the FBI agents, headed by J.W. Vincent, in charge of operations, had prepared lists of the names and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Angry Butcher Cuts Wife’s Throat

Posted on February 2, 2012 by lmharnisch

Betty Rowland at the Follies! Photo: 6152 Agra St. Credit: Google Street View. Feb. 2, 1942: Lewis Buell Chase dialed the sheriff’s substation in Firestone Park and told a deputy: “I have just murdered a woman.” He had gone to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Jimmie Fidler, Sports, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stravinsky Premieres ‘Danses Concertantes’ in Los Angeles

Posted on February 1, 2012 by lmharnisch

Feb. 1, 1942: The Times serializes Hallett Abend’s “Japan Unmasked.” Abend (d. 1955) was The Times city editor from 1920 to 1924 and was later a Far East correspondent for the New York Times.  (Note: An interesting line from his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Books and Authors, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

U.S. Urged to Evacuate Japanese Immediately

Posted on January 31, 2012 by lmharnisch

Jan. 31, 1942: Members of Congress from the West Coast call on the U.S. to expedite the evacuation of “enemy aliens,” a term that includes native-born people of Japanese ancestry. Officials concede that some of them may be loyal – … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, African Americans, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Freeways, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, Politics, Richard Nixon, Streetcars, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on U.S. Urged to Evacuate Japanese Immediately

FBI Smashes Nazi Spy Ring in Beverly Hills: 3 Sent Coded Letters to Third Reich

Posted on January 29, 2012 by lmharnisch

Jan. 29, 1942: The FBI accuses Dr. Hans Helmut Gros, his wife, Frances, and Albrecht Rudolf Curt Reuter of belonging to a Nazi spy ring. According to allegations, Gros, of 328 N. Maple Drive, sent letters to purported relatives that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Downtown, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, LAPD, Streetcars, Theaters, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

L.A. County, City Fire All Japanese Workers!

Posted on January 28, 2012 by lmharnisch

Jan. 28, 1942: Buried on the jump of this story is the news that the city of Los Angeles urged all Japanese employees to take a leave of absence “for the duration.” Those who refused to quit were suspended. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, City Hall, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Jimmie Fidler, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Mob Slaying of ‘Big Greenie’ Greenberg Retold in Bugsy Siegel Trial

Posted on January 27, 2012 by lmharnisch

Jan. 27, 1942: Ida Greenberg testifies in the trial of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel (d. 1947) and Frank “Frankie” Carbo (d. 1972) in the killing of her husband, Harry “Big Greenie” Greenberg, who was shot to death in his driveway at … Continue reading →

Posted in 1939, 1942, Columnists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Music, Religion, World War II | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment