KNX’s Mornings With Bob Crane

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch
Aug. 9, 1959, Bob Crane  
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 on the other. If I ever find it I’ll add some clips.

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Television | Comments Off on KNX’s Mornings With Bob Crane

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch
 Oct. 30, 1957, Cyclops 
Oct. 30, 1957: “The Cyclops” and “Daughter of Dr. Jekyll.”

Posted in Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 26, 2009, Mystery Photo
Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Josephine Dunn in an undated photo

Update: This is actress Josephine Dunn (1906-1983). The Times evidently didn’t publish an obituary on her.

Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the answer on Friday … or on Saturday if I have a hard time picking only five pictures; sometimes it's difficult to choose. To keep the mystery photo from getting lost in the other entries, I move it from Monday to Tuesday to Wednesday, etc., adding a photo every day.

I have to approve all comments, so if your guess is posted immediately, that means you're wrong. (And if a wrong guess has already been submitted by someone else, there's no point in submitting it again.)

If you're right, you will have to wait until Friday. There's no need to submit your guess five times. Once is enough. The only reward is bragging rights. 

The answer to last week's mystery star: Owen Crump! 

Oct. 27, 2009, Mystery Photo Los Angeles Times file photo
July 15, 1927: The Definite Frock – Gardenias and shimmering black satin – that combination which has never failed in chic – go to make up the frock, work at will, for either afternoon or street, by Josephine Dunn, Paramount player.

Here’s another picture of our mystery woman. Please congratulate Mike Hawks for identifying her!

Oct. 28, 2009, Mystery Photo Los Angeles Times file photo
Jan. 2, 1929: Pathe presents “Red Hot Rhythm” with Alan Hale. This is Josephine Dunn and Walter O’Keefe.

Oct. 29, 2009, Mystery Photo Los Angeles Times file photo
Ever since Josephine Dunn, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer player, appeared in Al Jolson’s picture she has been asked where her rainbow scarf is – which fits her like a glove. Now she has blossomed out in one which shows a net background and glittering sequins showing the lovely shades found in the rainbow.

Here’s another photo of our mystery woman. Please congratulate Mary Mallory and Megan for identifying her!

2009_1030_mystery_photo 
Los Angeles Times file photo

June 26, 1931: Josephine Dunn
Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 25 Comments

Shostakovich Visits L.A.!

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 30, 1959, Shostakovich  

Shostakovich meets the press at the Ambassador Hotel. Wouldn’t it be great to go see it? Oh, wait, we let L..A. Unified tear it down.

Oct. 30, 1959, Shostakovich

Oct. 30, 1959, Shostakovich

Oct. 20, 1959: Dmitri Shostakovich leads a group of Soviet composers on a tour of the U.S.  After Mayor Norris Poulson’s headline-grabbing stunt with Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviets are justifiably worried about what sort of greeting they will get  in Los Angeles. American envoy Ken Kertz, who is escorting the Soviets, angrily squelches any comments upon their arrival at Union Station.

In a news conference at the Ambassador Hotel, Kertz turned off the TV lights, but composer Dmitri Kabalevsky encouraged reporters to stay. An unidentified reporter asked about Soviet reaction to Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 and Tikhon Khrennikov replied that orchestras  “"vied for the opportunity to lead their programs with the 11th.” Khrennikov isn’t an immediately recognized name these days, but he was head of the Soviet Composers Union and caused misery for Shostakovich, Serge Prokofiev and Alfred Schnittke.

Oct. 30, 1959, Times Cover

The old saying that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes certainly seems true. Here we have high winds sweeping Los Angeles and burglars who targeted a movie star, in this case Joan Fontaine.  The Times also carried a Charles Hillinger story about the system of dams used to catch ash and debris in the anticipated flooding of areas burned in the recent wildfire, the same problem we're facing after the Station fire. 

Oct. 30, 1959, Atomic Plane

Yes, there was a time when the Defense Department was working on nuclear-powered aircraft. A key component of nuclear reactors – lots of lead – posed unusual problems for the designers. And if it crashed, that could be messy.

Oct. 30, 1959, Ebony Showcase 

The Ebony Showcase Theatre, at 4366 W. Adams Blvd. stages a new musical comedy.

Nov. 28, 1982, Ebony Showcase

John L. Mitchell interviews Horace "Nick" Stewart of the Ebony Showcase Theater. In the profile, Stewart takes stock of his career (he played Lightnin' on the "Amos 'n' Andy Show." "Almost every important black performer, at one time or another, has come through Nick's operation," says C. Bernard Jackson of the Inner City Cultural Center.

Nov. 28, 1982, Ebony Showcase Theater
Oct. 30, 1959, Barnes

Jeane Hoffman visits UCLA football coach Billy Barnes and his wife, Frances.

Oct. 30, 1959, Barnes
Six
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Posted in classical music, Front Pages, Music, Sports, Stage | 1 Comment

Stocks Dive in Frenzy, 1929

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch
 Oct. 30, 1929, Police Chief Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale notes the role of politics in criticism of Police Chief James Davis.

Oct. 30, 1929, Market Crash
 
image

Oct. 30, 1929, Market Crash

Oct. 30, 1929: “An incredible stock market tumbled toward chaos today despite heroic measures adopted by the nation's greatest bankers.” What do you suppose the chances are that this sentence could be written today?

Posted in @news, art and artists, Current Affairs | Comments Off on Stocks Dive in Frenzy, 1929

Attorney General Rules Against Using Bibles in School

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch
 
Oct. 30, 1909, Elgin Watch 
Elgin watches are the timepieces of choice for job-seekers. 

Oct. 30, 1909, Bible 

 Aug. 1, 1947, Ulysses S. Webb
Aug. 1, 1947: U.S. Webb dies at the age of 82.

Aug. 1, 1947, U.S. Webb

Oct. 30, 1909: California Atty. Gen. Ulysses S. Webb says: “When we force our citizens to pay for and send their children to public schools, where the Bible of another faith is read to them, I believe we come dangerously near intruding upon freedom of conscience.”

Posted in #courts, Education, Religion | Comments Off on Attorney General Rules Against Using Bibles in School

October 29, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 29, 1959: Pogo

No Boredom Today

Matt WeinstockThe girls in classified are a little dewy-eyed today over a Public Announcement ad.  It states simply, “Happy birthday, pretty Beverly.”  But there’s more to it than that.

Beverly, whoever she is, frequently remarks that nothing exciting ever happens to her.  An admirer, the man who phoned in the ad, confided to the classified ladies that he has arranged a day-long antidote for her boredom.

“When Beverly awakened this morning she was scheduled to be served a champagne breakfast with rosebud in vase.  Her roommate, who arises at 6 a.m., was in on the plot with her admirer.

When Beverly arrived at work she was confronted, according to schedule, by a 15-foot birthday card and a dozen roses. Continue reading →

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October 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Women of Japan Enjoy Their Liberty

Paul Coates, in coat and tieLADIES DAY IN TOKYO (Part Two) — When General of the Army Douglas MacArthur returned, as he had somehow hurriedly promised to do, Japan got its first taste of democracy.

In the manner of a triumphant but just warrior, he used an iron hand to force the philosophy of freedom on them.

Say what you will about the pompous, rather regal ruler of our Pacific forces during and after our World War II, he was unquestionably the man who finally managed to introduce the West to the East.

And the main beneficiaries of that introduction were the women of Japan.

Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on October 29, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Lili St. Cyr Remarries

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch
 
Oct. 29, 1959, Mirror Cover

Charles Van Doren reportedly confesses to getting answers for the TV game show "Twenty-One.'

Oct. 29, 1959, Lili St. Cyr 

 
Oct. 29, 1959: Americans are ashamed that the U.S. is behind the Soviets in the space race … And Lili St. Cyr is getting married to her sixth husband , Joseph Albert “Strong Boy” Zomar.

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, health, Television | Comments Off on Lili St. Cyr Remarries

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 29, 1956, Friendly Persuasion 

Oct. 31, 1956, Friendly Persuasion
 
Oct. 31, 1956, Friendly Persuasion

Oct. 29, 1956: “Friendly Persuasion” will premiere at the Fox Wilshire Theatre … introducing Anthony Perkins. The film was reviewed twice in The Times, on Sept. 16, 1956, by Philip K. Scheuer and again on Oct. 31, 1956,  by Edwin Schallert.

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Catching Up With ‘Twilight Zone’

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 4, 1959, Twilight Zone  

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 had seen anything but the first few episodes and nobody knew what to expect.

Until “The Twilight Zone” debuted in 1959, there had been very little
in this vein besides “Science Fiction Theatre,” a show that
began in 1955, and perhaps “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (1955-1962),
which was more of a mystery/suspense show.  “The Outer Limits” didn’t
begin until 1963 and was considered a “Twilight Zone” knockoff.


The American Cinematheque is paying tribute to "The Twilight Zone" with a program on Friday. Read more here.>>>  (Notice that despite what this article says, the lines quoted above are the original opening. The introduction that most of us remember didn't emerge until later).

 

April 26, 1955, Science Fiction Theatre

“Science Fiction Theatre,” 1955-1957, was one of my favorite shows as a kid. It’s  out on DVD but I’m afraid to watch the programs because like so many TV shows of my childhood, they might be absolutely awful. It was a dark and sobering day when I sat down as an adult with “Sky King,” “Whirlybirds” and “Highway Patrol.”

Aug. 20, 1959, Rod Serling

Aug. 20, 1959: Some thoughts on Rod Serling … And notice "Destruction Derby" with women drivers!

 
Oct. 2, 1959, Twilight Zone
Hey, what should we watch? Baxter Ward or “Twilight Zone?”

The Times didn’t write much about “Twilight Zone” in its first season after the show debuted. I’ll be watching for articles as we continue our jaunt through 1959 and into 1960. 
Posted in books, broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

Sgt. Kutz Questions Barefoot Woman

Posted on October 29, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 29, 1909, Stockings 
Oct. 29, 1909: Lucretia Ruis attracts attention in Long Beach because she doesn’t wear stockings or shoes. She’s an intelligent and refined woman, but shoes and socks cause her too much pain. 

Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Sgt. Kutz Questions Barefoot Woman

Matt Weinstock, Oct. 28, 1959

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 28, 1959: Peanuts

Misplaced Patch

Matt WeinstockThis one requires the utmost delicacy.

A lady named Irene got an infection on her chin.  Her doctor prescribed a series of shots, not on her chin.  She has been going to his office regularly and the nurse has been administrating them.

The other day when she appeared for her shot she said to the nurse, “I’ve got a business appointment after I leave here, would you put a Band-Aid on it?”

She was thinking, of course, of her chin.  The nurse, administering the shot, was not.  And amid wild laughter from Irene, she slapped the Band-Aid in the wrong place. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Oct. 28, 1959

October 28, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nippon Women Split on Retaining Geisha

Paul Coates, in coat and tie LADIES DAY IN TOKYO:  The flowery era of Madame Butterfly is dying, but not quite dead in the postwar life of Japan.

Under the democracy dictated to them by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Japanese women got the vote in 1946.

Since that time, 11 of them have become prominent members of parliament.  There is a very active, very huge, very persuasive League of Women Voters.  Women are beginning to outnumber men at political rallies.

And women are responsible for pushing through a law that banned prostitution for the first time in Japanese history.  It took them five tries in parliament to get the bill through, but they finally did it.

Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Downtown, Paul Coates | Comments Off on October 28, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Women in Little Tokyo Charged as B-Girls

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 28, 1959, Mirror Cover

And all this time, I thought people were joking about winning the Irish Sweepstakes.  The prolonged steel strike puts 6,100 local General Motors employees out of work. The affected factories are GM's Chevrolet, Fisher Body and truck plants in the San Fernando Valley and the Buick-Pontiac-Oldsmobile plant in South Gate. Note: GM called it the Van Nuys plant, but the factory was actually in Panorama City. 

Oct. 28, 1959, B-Girls

Oct. 28, 1959: Women working in a Little Tokyo restaurant are charged with violating the law against B-girls.

1959_1028_mirror_sports_thumb

San Francisco’s ballpark is nearly ready, with an enormous parking area and seating for 44,000, the Mirror says … and Mickey Mantle says he wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees traded him.

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Food and Drink, Front Pages | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 28, 1955, The Phenix City Story 

Oct. 23, 1955

Oct. 28, 1955: “The Phenix City Story” plays in Los Angeles. It’s not on Netflix!

Posted in Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Teen Hoped to Bear Errol Flynn’s Child

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 15, 1959, Beverly Aadland  
Los Angeles Times file photo

Errol Flynn and Beverly Aadland in a photo published Oct. 15, 1959.

image

Oct. 28, 1959, Beverly Aadland

Oct. 28, 1959: Jack Smith interviews Errol Flynn’s teenage girlfriend Beverly Aadland (whom Smith describes as the actor’s “last playmate”)  and her attorney Melvin Belli. Aadland says that most of her clothing is inaccessible because it’s under Flynn’s name. She says she isn’t pregnant but wishes she were.  I assume The Times used “protege” in headlines because it’s shorter than “girlfriend,” but it’s really silly, as several writers have noted. 

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Jack Smith, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch
Aug. 1, 1938, Nuestro Pueblo 
Aug. 1, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit Griffith Park and discover an old lime kiln left from mission days. Note: I posted most of the Nuestro Pueblo features when I was going through 1938-39, but I’m picking up the ones I missed.   

Posted in art and artists, books, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Squalid Jail Conditions Shame Los Angeles

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 28, 1919, Jail 

image
Dec. 10, 1916: The Times exposes dreadful conditions at the jail.

Dec. 10, 1916, Jail 
"Prison Pit of Poe Is Outdone in Horrors by Los Angeles City Jail"		 Dec. 10, 1916, Jail 
"Under present conditions in this city it is absolutely impossible to care for prisoners in a humane manner," Police Chief J.L. Butler says.

Oct. 28, 1919: The Times editorializes about the shabby condition of the City Jail, which reporter Alma Whitaker documented in 1916. 

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Judge Foils Attempt to Get Women on Jury

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 28, 1909, Fur Turbans

Arctic turbans are the latest rage — $82.86 USD 2008.

Oct. 28, 1909, Women Jurors

Oct. 28, 1909, Jurors

Oct. 28, 1909: Prosecutor Guy Eddie is determined to get women on juries despite Police Chief Dishman’s order that they not be summoned. His latest tactic is an attempt to dismiss an entire jury, but he’s overruled by the judge. The defendant in the case, J.W. Slocum, represented himself against charges that he and other socialists violated the rules against public speaking in Central Park (now Pershing Square) during a “harangue over free speech and single tax.”

And in Des Moines, a judge orders that a case between two Jews be heard by an entirely Jewish jury.

Posted in #courts, Fashion | Comments Off on Judge Foils Attempt to Get Women on Jury