| Dec. 27, 1938: “On the ‘Wizard of Oz’ set they've added 50 schoolchildren to the 150 midgets, being sure the kids were the same size. Makes it mighty difficult for Miss MacDonald and her staff of schoolteachers, because the minute a scene is finished they grab the kids for their lessons and nine times out of 10 what they find on their laps is a midget.” |
Dec. 27, 1959: The Times leads with the Nixon-Rockefeller story.
Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) expresses strong support for Nixon. Times Political Editor Kyle Palmer, as to be expected, is all for Nixon.
Nixon calls for job training for African Americans. Note the statistics on complaints, mostly from African Americans, about job discrimination by government contractors.
The 1950s: A decade of shadow and light.
"Our age," said the historian Arnold Toynbee, "will be remembered, not for its horrifying crimes or astonishing inventions but because it is the first age since the dawn of history in which mankind dared to believe it practical to make the benefits of civilization available to the whole human race."
The Times publishes the obit of Bert Heath, the pet editor.
Hedda Hopper picks next year’s stars: Juliet Prowse, Roger Smith, Dwayne Hickman and Shirley Knight.
Keep your eye on Jo “Thirteen Ghosts” Morrow!
Also watch for Maggie “My Mother the Car” Pierce!
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| Dec. 27, 1959: Sure, it’s easy to make fun of these predictions, whether they are political or in film. The most poignant lines are from AP roundup on the decade, in words that ring true 50 years later: “Hunger and illiteracy, aggravated by the ‘population explosion,’ lay heavily over vast areas of the earth.” |
“Wonder What a Man Window-Shopping Things About?” by Clare Briggs.
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| Dec. 27, 1919: The Angeles, an 8,800-ton cargo ship, is launched at the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. |
Dec. 27, 1909: A mob in Hurley, Va., lynches Henry Pennington after he killed Samuel Baker, who was on his way to a Christmas program with his family. Pennington had run away, but Baker’s wife tricked him into coming back by asking him to help her take the body home. When Pennington returned, she grabbed his pistol and shot him. Pennington got the gun away from her, shot her and tried to kill the two Baker children and a companion.
The Rev. E.A. Devennis flees after promising Portland, Ore., worshipers that Christ would return for Christmas.
Notice the mention of Police Chief August Vollmer of Berkeley. Vollmer took a one-year appointment as police chief in Los Angeles from 1923 to 1924 and is often credited with many reforms in law enforcement. He was replaced by Chief R. Lee Heath, who was followed in 1926 by Chief James Davis, a prominent figure in the corrupt Frank Shaw administration of the 1930s.
A vegetarian hotel in Kansas City! |
| Dec. 27, 1909: The stores and police are relieved that the Christmas shoplifting season is over. One woman is arrested after stealing an envelope of merchandise held as evidence in another shoplifting case. |
Paper in a Trash Pile
Fortunately she'd gotten the number of the collection truck, 36261. If it could be stopped, wherever it was, and unloaded, she'd rush over and look through the stuff herself. Frank Bowerman told her this was impossible. He explained that when a load is picked up and emptied into the hopper, a hinged pressure plate packs it tight until capacity is reached. Only thing to do was to go to Landfill No.1 on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where it could be dumped, and look.
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A policeman, baffled by this procedure, caught up with him and shouted, "Do you mind telling me what you're doing?' "Well, you see, officer, this is a two-ton truck and I've got three tons of canary birds in the back and I have to keep one ton of them in the air." ::
Frustratingly pent by ::
Others: "Let's call a shovel a shovel, no matter who we hit!" "Ladies, I pave here some figures which you can carry in your heads, which I know are concrete!" "Yes, I agree that it is all water over a wheel, but now it has come back to haunt us!" His all time classic was probably, "You can't straddle the fence and still keep your ear to the ground!" ::
"On local networks here we get such a heavy dosage of rock n' roll, clanging geetars, popular slang and jargon that it really does a great country like the United States as injustice. Fortunately, your correspondent knows your country is not populated entirely by 13-year-olds." Are you sure? ::
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Tipping Tip: Don't Forget Your Barber
And above all, never stiff your barber at Christmastime. They are hypersensitive, sentimental souls with long memories, razor-sharp razors and a lust of revenge. At least, Maury Mandell is. He's the boys' beautician at Rothchild's, and trims such noteworthy scalps as Tony Martin's, Brod Crawford's, Gig Young's and Tony Curtis'. But Maury's biggest spender had always been the shoe king, Harry Karl. He hands his barber a holiday tip that approximates what most people hand out for a down payment on a house.
Early in June, he walked into the barbershop and up to his customary chair. With a flourish, Maury whipped the sheet across the customer's midriff, nodded to him, and cried jovially: "Merry Christmas, Mr. Karl." I neglected to tell you, didn't I, about the American pilot who was on aircraft duty in the Pacific during World War II? Without a doubt, he was the most ineffective flier on the carrier. He could never get his plane off the deck, or back on, without a near accident. His guns and equipment were never properly checked before take-off. And he couldn't seem to keep in formation on a mission. Finally, his commander called him aside, "You haven't done anything right since you joined up," he said bitterly. "You're a detriment to the entire service. "One more mistake," he added, waving a warning finger, "just one more, and I'm going to have you grounded." Prays He'll Do Right
That night, the pilot went to his quarters and said an urgent prayer. "Just once," he pleaded, "let me do everything right." The following morning, he woke up feeling vastly reassured. He made a perfect take-off from the deck. His guns had been checked and all were in excellent working order. He stayed right in the flight plan until the enemy planes broke the formation. But even then, he was responsible for shooting down three Japanese planes. Then he sighted the carrier, swooped down, made a perfect landing, jumped out and saluted smartly. "Well, sir," he said proudly, "how about that? I didn't do anything wrong." The officer looked up at him, smiled, bowed low and replied: "Ah so. Just one r'itta mistake." |
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| Dec. 26, 1963: “I was horrified by ‘The Victors,’ from which I expected so much. It's the last picture in the world you'd want to see this season. I'm amazed at Carl Foreman, who wrote 'River Kwai' and 'Guns of Navarone.' He seemed to go out of his way to show the American solider at his brutal, bestial worst. One shoots a puppy dog that follows a transport. Grimmest scene shows a deserter being shot on Christmas Day, with hundreds of GIs looking on in the snow as Frank Sinatra sings 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.' Oh, no!”
And it's not on Netflix! –lrh |
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“All That Is Behind You, Darling.”
Dec. 26, 1959: Somehow, the forecasters failed to predict the energy crisis, leisure suits and disco.
“The Bells of Bethlehem” by Aimee Semple McPherson (d. 1944) will be performed at Angelus Temple. By the 1980s, the temple was showing a film of the production.
Stella Stevens makes news for posing for the centerfold of the January 1960 issue of Playboy. [She was paid $21,921.90 USD 2008 ]. She also says she kidnapped her son Andy in a custody dispute.
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| Peter Sellers “is a good enough actor, but … he fails to create anything memorable” in “The Mouse That Roared.
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Darrall Imhoff shows off his hook shot.
Sid Gillman may be going to the Chargers. |
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| Dec. 26, 1919: New York is on the verge of another police scandal, The Times’ Harry Carr writes and hips are coming back. “I did not know that hips had gone or where; but if that fact holds any message for any aching soul, why there it is: hips are coming back!” |
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Frances Nordstrom stars in “The Girl of the Golden West” at the Burbank. |
7th and Los Angeles Streets, via Google maps’ street view. Dec. 26, 1909: Fliers work on their airplanes on Christmas at the official Aviation Week Committee repair shop at 7th and Los Angeles Streets … And “drunkenness and jealousy over a woman were the motives for a duel with knives between two Mexicans on Mitchell Avenue near East 7th Street last evening.” |
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Ribbing St. Nick
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house I keep wondering what old Clem would think if he knew what has been done to his timeless verse. The most noted parody for years has been the paisano version "Feliz Navidad, Amigos!" which includes this lilting bit:
The Mt. Washington Star, monthly stencil-printed newspaper published by two youngsters, Ed Carpenter and Pete Coonradt, had a Christmas Fable with this couplet: Rich Fowler cut loose Noel Toy and Carleton Young uncorked a 28-stanza job for their Christmas card which opened: 'Twas the night before ::
But such were the pleadings of a small boy that he finally agreed and as he harnessed his reindeer and took off, he shouted his unforgettable "Maaayreee Christmas!" Fred's death in 1956 was one of the great losses of the departing decade.
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Mash Notes and Comment
"Following is a little Christmas spirit I dreamed up while writing the Keely Smith-Louis Prima show here in Las Vegas: "A WESTERN " 'Twas the night before "Young Junior was lying
"The moon broke the gloom "Now who is that driving? "Now, Cheyenne, now Sugarfoot, "So up to the housetop "He ran to the fireplace "And then all at once "There were Bowie knives, "They sprang on their (signed) Sid Kuller, -And a Merry Christmas from me, too.
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| Dec. 25, 1962: "To Harold Lloyd, Christmas has always been a great feast at home. The mammoth tree stands in a high, vaulted room, the center of the family gathering. But Lloyd has been away a great deal this year because the reissue of his old pictures came in at the box office as strong as in his heyday, captured the heart of the world all over again. He never had time to supervise the taking down of 1961's tree and there it stands this year–gleaming, golden, fabulous. Some of the green has faded to a soft olive-beige; it's a fragile old beauty but will see this year out." |
Photograph by the Los Angeles Times
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| Dec. 25, 1959: City Hall is lighted, as usual, for Christmas. The tradition was discontinued in the 1970s after a long court battle. |
Harry Carr writes: “Christmas in New York this year is to all practical purposes a giant shell game. Modern civilization has never seen its parallel for vulgar, wild extravagance.”
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| Dec. 25, 1919: John D. Rockefeller gives $100 million [$1.2 billion USD 2008] for charitable purposes – to raise the salaries of college professors and to aid medical education, public health administration and scientific research. His latest donation brings his public gifts to about $450 million [$5.5 billion USD 2008].
Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel of the Anti-Saloon League, says that with the advent of Prohibition, the nation's first dry Christmas is "the most valuable, helpful and uplifting gift which the American people ever received." |
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| Dec. 25, 1909: Food and Christmas trees for the needy, church services and auto racing at Ascot Park with Barney Oldfield. |
A Christmas Story
Cooney obtained an entry certificate from the Chinese ambassador in Mexico City, but to use it Wong had to travel 100 miles over a bad road from Mexicali to Ensenada, hire a boat to make the 60-mile trip to San Diego, a Chinese port of entry, then go 130 miles to Calexio, where he lived. To put it another way, he had to travel 100 miles to go three feet. LATER COONEY WENT to Washington and got a permit, the first of its kind, authorizing him to cross the three feet. Wong was grateful and when his son was born he asked Pat to name him. Pat suggested Patrick J.
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"Cut down the eucalyptus trees," he replied plaintively. ::
INEVITABLE ::
THE MANAGER of a supermarket is living in fear, waiting for the blow to fall. During a hectic tie-up at the checkstands, he learned later, an accommodating stranger, filled with Christmas spirit, okayed the checks for six customers- one for $25 above the amount of the purchase. He was just standing there, coatless, and the customers thought he was the manager. ::
ON A RECENT clear, sparkling day, as Emmett O'Hara and his family were out driving and Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) stood out sharply in the distance, young Timothy asked, "Is Mt. Baldy the tallest mountain in the world?" No, his father said, it isn't. ::
TOWARD creating offbeat Christmas chatter for his program, Carroll Alcott of CBS radio went over to a downtown Santa Claus and, feigning indignation, challenged, "Why don't you drop dead! Look at all the trouble you cause!" The fellow looked for a moment as if he'd jump out of his Santa suit and do harm to the heckler. Then he realized Carroll was needling and he settled back into his role. ::
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A Christmas Carol of Olden Day, 1959
It happened in the olden but enlightened year of 1959. Christmas came to the small California village of La Puente. And the spirit of giving abounded. My tale begins on the crisp, clean evening of Dec. 13, when neighbors of a neighborhood motorcycling club were holding their weekly meeting. They decided then, without a dissenting vote, to forgo their traditional Christmas exchange of gifts, and instead, to devote their monies and energies, to helping some poor children or a family in true need. Toys, clothes — whatever was lacking — that's what they'd try to supply.
No one did, however, so the next evening they called again. This time they talked to a human being and were given the name of a lady- a welfare case worker — whom they were told could put them in touch with a needy family. Two times during the evening they tried, without success, to reach her. Once, nobody answered. The other time a small boy informed them that he didn't know when she'd return. So, rather than wait, they contacted the sheriff's substation in San Dimas. The deputy who answered knew of no needy families, but suggested that they check back the next day. Instead of waiting again, Mrs. Bunch called another community paper. She was given the name of a different social worker. She called that lady. That lady referred her to still another social worker. And that social worker was very enthused. She said she would call back the following morning with a family. But the following day, no call came.
By now five days had passed, Christmas was nearing, the 14 club members were awaiting word on what to buy, and no needy family was in sight. So Mrs. Bunch tried again to reach Case Worker No.1 This time she succeeded. But immediately, the lady suggested that proper procedure would be for the club to work through Case Worker No.3. (Sigh!)
When Mrs. Bunch explained that she had already contacted Case Worker No. 3, and that nothing came of it except an unfulfilled promise, the lady sighed. "I'd give you a family," she said, "but actually your club belongs in the other lady's territory. We don't like to infringe on each others areas. "We don't," she added, "like to hurt each others feelings." It was along about this time that Mrs. Bunch blew her top.
On this note, the conversation ended, but within the allotted 10 minutes two social workers had called her back with needy families. The motorcycle club selected one with 10 children, got their names and ages, bought them a couple of dozen very nice gifts, and everybody had a very, very merry Christmas. That's my story, children. Now, say your prayers for the poor and off to bed with you. There's a big day ahead tomorrow. |
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| Dec. 24, 1961: Bobby Darin says, "If I were a drinker I wouldn't have to come out like a blockbuster. But I don't drink and come on in a nightclub cold sober to entertain a crowd that's invariably high. I have to get their attention and keep it. If you have no talent you have to be a nice guy so you walk out humble, but I don't think Crosby or Sinatra are humble men." |
Another frantic call came into the county sanitation office the other day. This time it was a woman on the west side excitedly reporting she'd inadvertently discarded her divorce papers in the trash can. She had to get them back, she said desperately.
As we approach the turn of a new decade, the soundest advice I can offer you for a long, full life is never lie to your doctor or your lawyer.
ladailymirror.com 