December 1, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 1, 1959: Mirror Cover
Arab League bans Elizabeth Taylor’s movies!

Jerry Lewis at Bat for Actor Robinson

Paul Coates, in coat and tieStrange guy, Jerry Lewis.

I’ve known him for years.  I knew him when he was a kid on Broadway, when he had a partner named Martin, and when they were lucky if — between them — they had a sandwich to split.

I remember when they hit the top and split themselves.

I recall, at the time I blamed Jerry in print for the break, and this couldn’t please him at all.

But we still keep in touch.

I hear from him now two, maybe three times a year.
Continue reading →

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

Posted on December 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 1, 1938: Babe Ruth's secret to a happy marriage? White Owl cigars!

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. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1938, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Sports | Comments Off on December 1, 1938: California prepares to execute two killers at San Quentin

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Shopping Guide

Posted on December 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

Sept. 16, 1957, Parker T-Ball Jotter

Note: This is a repost from 2013. True style never goes out of date, after all.

We are being bombarded by stories about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with videos of long lines at stores and the attendant consumer frenzy.

The L.A. Daily Mirror prefers a more subdued approach to buying gifts during the holiday season. Here’s proof that an ideal retro gift can be practical and inexpensive. It’s the Parker T-Ball jotter, which has changed very little since this 1957 ad.

2025 update: It’s increasingly difficult to find the Parker T-Ball jotter, but not impossible.

Available from Amazon for $8.98.
Available from Walmart for $22.72.

We like ours with the gel refill, medium point. Perfect for doing crossword puzzles.

What’s on your shopping list? If you have a good gift idea, share it with us.

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Movieland ‘Unsuitable’ Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on December 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

Main Title: Lettering over Art Deco artwork

This week’s “unsuitable” mystery movie was the 1933 Warner Bros. film Lady Killer, with James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Margaret Lindsay, Leslie Fenton, Douglas Dumbrille, Russell Hopton, Raymond Hatton, Henry O’Neill, Robert Elliott, Marjorie Gateson, Willard Robertson, William Davidson and Douglas Cosgrove. Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights – Altadena’s Lovely Christmas Tree Lane

Posted on December 1, 2025 by lmharnisch

Christmas Tree Lane
Christmas Tree Lane in a vintage postcard, courtesy of Mary Mallory.

Note: This is an encore post from 2012.

Nothing says Christmas like the sight of beautiful outdoor twinkling lights lending a bit of romanticism and happiness to the holiday season. Homes and businesses spiffily decorate themselves. Cities light up parks and outdoor trees. The granddaddy celebration of them all is Altadena’s  Christmas Tree Lane, the oldest and largest celebration of its kind in the world.

Merchants thought up ways of drumming up business during the Christmas season even in the 1920s. Pasadena merchant Fred Nash conceived of the idea of lighting outdoor fir trees in December to lure business to his store, drawing the support of his community organization, the Kiwanis. As the Los Angeles Times reported on Dec. 4, 1920, “Santa Rosa Ave., Altadena, will be a lane of illuminated Christmas trees during the holidays. Following out a plan proposed some weeks ago, the beautiful deodar trees on that street will be festooned with colored lights and trimmings, the Kiwanis Club having voted to share the expense with the city.” Only about a quarter of the trees were lit that year for its inaugural season.

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December 1, 1907: L.A. Author Writes of Life in the Hollow Earth (No Sign of Lizard People)

Posted on December 1, 2025 by lmharnisch


Note: This is an encore post from 2006.

December 1, 1907
Los Angeles

The Times runs a small blurb on writer Willis George Emerson, noting that the National Magazine has begun serializing a new story, “The Smoky God.”

The Times notes: “The story has to do with the discovery of the North Pole, and inhabitants of the interior of the Earth. It is the supposed story of Olaf Jansen, a Swedish sailor, and is told by Mr. Emerson as selections from papers left by the adventurer.”

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November 30, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on November 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

The Education Race

Matt WeinstockEver since the Russians launched their first Sputnik there has been a furor in American education.

It has been charged that students graduate from high school without a knowledge of fundamentals necessary in today’s society.

It has also been stated that they are coddled and that schooling to most of them is little more than a pleasant social experience.  If we are to meet Russia on equal terms, the outcry goes, we must tighten up, particularly in math and science.

Let us now pay attention to the mother of a child in a west side junior high school. Continue reading →

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November 30, 1959: Paul Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 24, 1959: Author suggests Charles Dickens had an illegitimate child.

Nothing, but Nothing Is Sacred Any More

Paul Coates, in coat and tieIt’s every reporter’s dream to lay aside his battered old felt hat, shred his press card into confetti, turn his World War II surplus trench coat over to the Salvation Army, take his smudgy copy pencils one by one and snap them into little pieces, and — casting a defiant look at his city editor as he leaves — go home, strip down to his waist, put on his imported silk smoking jacket, retreat up to the attic with his favorite pipe, wipe the dust off his lonely, long-idle portable, sit down, squeeze into his slippers, and knock out the great American novel.

(And if his novel includes one sentence like the above, he might just as well forget the whole thing.)

Anyway, that’s every reporter’s dream — but mine.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Animals, books, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on November 30, 1959: Paul Coates – Confidential File

November 30, 1958: Former deputy strangles wife, kills himself as police close in

Posted on November 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

This is one of those stories where I wouldn’t change a word. We can only speculate as to who the anonymous rewrite man was, but he did a first-class job. All I can say is the obvious, which is that it’s tragic for everyone involved.

Continue reading →

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November 30, 2006: Architectural Rambling

Posted on November 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

Here’s the former Calvary Presbyterian Church in South Pasadena, now the Grace Brethren church.

Note: This is an encore post.

November 30, 2006
Los Angeles

I don’t think anyone who knows both of us will ever confuse me with Nathan Marask; certainly not when it comes to architectural photography. In fact, I don’t really do architectural photography. I take snapshots of buildings—and lousy ones at that. Nor do I have Nathan’s charm in wangling my way into historic structures (see the 1947 Project entry on the “Cafeteria of Doom!” for example)

But I do have a couple of pictures to share. Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Architecture, Freeways, Hollywood, Pasadena, Photography, Streetcars | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on November 30, 2006: Architectural Rambling

November 30, 1907: Witness Against Mexican Revolutionaries Poisoned!

Posted on November 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2006.

November 30, 1907
Los Angeles

A secret witness in the trial of the Mexican revolutionaries—kept under close guard because his life has been threatened—went into convulsions shortly after eating a meal that apparently contained strychnine.

Trinidad Vasquez, identified by The Times as a member of the Mexican Secret Service, has been accompanied everywhere by Detective Thomas Furlong. But after a stormy court session, Vasquez complained of being hungry and was allowed to go to a cafe on 5th Street near Olive, where he had a ham and cheese sandwich with a cup of coffee.

Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

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

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins the Heisman Trophy.Note: This is an encore post from 2008.

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 him? After all, he set NCAA records in 1968 for yards gained and carries and scored 21 touchdowns.

Looking back on any Simpson story has its weird elements. Chapin’s story recounted a friendly exchange between Simpson and LAPD Chief Tom Reddin who said at one point, “I’m so happy for you. I’m a hero worshiper and you’re the greatest.”

And there’s a quote from Simpson about his former surroundings: “I go home to my old area and some of my friends actually hide from me. I guess maybe it’s that I’m different now. They’re doing the same things I used to do but they’re still doing them. I’m not.”

Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, broadcasting, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Television | Comments Off on November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins Heisman

November 27, 1964: Secretary Found Stabbed to Death in the ‘Thanksgiving’ Murder

Posted on November 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 27, 1964: Portrait of Joyce Gail Walker.
Note: This is an encore post from 2009.

November 27, 1964: The death of Joyce Gayle Walker is one of the more haunting killings of the 1960s. I’m not sure it was ever solved. I can’t find any follow-up stories on it.

Update: There are a few stories about a false confession in the case, but that’s about all.

“This murder is one of the toughest we’ve ever had,” sheriff’s Homicide Detective James Hamilton said in 1967.

Continue reading →

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November 27, 1941: Streetcar Companies Ask Council to End Bus Ban in Downtown L.A.

Posted on November 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

Nov. 27, 1941, Japan Gets Blunt Terms

Nov. 27, 1941 Comics

November 27, 1941: The Pacific Electric and Los Angeles Railways ask the City Council to repeal a ban against buses operating in downtown Los Angeles. Pacific Electric officials said the ban prevented them from routing the line from Los Angeles to Alhambra, San Gabriel and Temple City out of Main Street. The repeal would also allow Pacific Electric to turn its station at 6th and Main Streets into a bus terminal, The Times said. (Are you surprised that the campaign to convert streetcar lines to buses started before World War II?)

Tom Treanor, who was killed covering World War II for The Times, tells the story of seven recruits about to take an oath to join the Marines.

Jackie Cooper and Susanna Foster star in “Glamour Boy,” with Skinnay Ennis and his orchestra live on stage at the Paramount!

Jimmie Fidler says: Wot a jaunt around the Caribbean bases that must have been for Oliver (oh-so-fat) Hardy. During one hop in a too-small plane he had to stand for seven hours because he didn’t fit in the seats and there was no room on the floor.

Continue reading →

Posted in 1941, Art & Artists, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Streetcars, Tom Treanor, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

L.A. Celebrates a Wartime Thanksgiving, 1943

Posted on November 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

Nv. 26, 1943, Thanksgiving
Note: This is an encore post from 2013.

A wartime Thanksgiving in Los Angeles, with many service personnel welcomed into people’s homes for a holiday meal.

The Times published cooking tips for war workers, advising cooks who were otherwise engaged “for the duration” to use prepared mixes, packaged pie crust and canned pumpkin to cut preparation time.

Continue reading →

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November 27, 1907: Mexican Revolutionaries Accused of Gigantic Conspiracy

Posted on November 27, 2025 by lmharnisch


Note: This is an encore post from 2006.

November 27, 1907
Los Angeles

A shadowy, global conspiracy of anarchists is being described in the trial of revolutionaries Ricardo Flores Magon, Antonio Villareal and Librado Rivera in federal court. The fourth defendant, L. Gutierrez De Lara, was charged separately with committing larceny in Sonora, Mexico.

“The first positive evidence of a gigantic conspiracy to overthrow a friendly government was legally introduced,” The Times said. “Although there has been intimation of the danger[ous] character of the three men under arrest, and a partial expose of their cowardly plans to [overthrow] the presidents of this country and of Mexico, the far-reaching character of the junta has hardly been realized, even by government officials.”

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An 1890s Thanksgiving in the Kitchen

Posted on November 27, 2025 by lmharnisch

Everyday Cook-Book

Note: This is an encore post from 2011.

Here’s a traditional roast turkey recipe from the “Every-Day Cook-Book and Family Compendium,” written about 1890 by Miss E. Neill. Be sure your fire is bright and clear and watch out for the gall-bag.
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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2025

Posted on November 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival offered a tantalizing Grand Tour across the cinematic universe in their recently concluded festival, educating and edifying audiences with thoughtful programming, excellent film accompaniment, and the chance to connect with other silent film cineastes.

This year’s timely theme centered around the grind and struggles of working class people just trying to survive hardships and adversity with character and morality intact. Life was about serving community not self, bettering the lives of others. Mini themes revolved around the Klondike, independent, take charge women, seedy/cut-rate carny/circuses, and the threatening sea.

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November 26, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on November 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 26, 1959: Farah Diba

Cop and Robber

Matt Weinstock Citizens can be thankful for policemen like Dalton Robert Patton, whose funeral was held yesterday.

Patton, 58, who retired from the LAPD in 1943, was not a “front page cop.”  He preferred to work quietly, without fuss.

Friends yesterday recalled his classic encounter with a safe cracker.  Patton, detective captain at Hollywood station, spent months tracking him down and had him, as the saying goes, “dead bang.”

But to everyone’s consternation a jury acquitted him.  After the trial the burglar said, “No hard feelings, captain.  And I want you to know I’ll never crack another safe in your division .”

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November 26, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 26, 1959: Mirror Cover

Nothing So Dread as He With Fanatic Eye

Paul Coates, in coat and tieIt’s my guess that E.B. (Jet) Simrell — the 46-year-old ex-market owner who surrendered to the FBI yesterday after having threatened the lives of seven judges — figures he’s got one big card to play in his crusade against the “un-feminine, all-powerful American woman.”

And it’s my opinion that he’s sadly wrong.

If Simrell carries out his plan to “fast until death to win unanimous approval of the truths for which I fight,” he might win himself a little public pity.

But that’s all.

Long ago, he lost sight of the objectives of his fight.  And with them, he lost everything, including, possibly, his sanity. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | 1 Comment