Smog Alert!

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 23, 1959, Quintuplets

Funeral services for quintuplets born a few days earlier.

Oct. 23, 1959, Mirror Cover

Oct. 23, 1959: A pall of smog covers the city as county supervisors plan to send a representative to talk to Detroit auto executives about emission controls.

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Front Pages, Television | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 23, 1950, To Please a Lady 
Oct. 23, 1950: “To Please a Lady” … And it’s Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy at the Pan Pacific!

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

Movie Mystery Photo

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 19, 2009, Mystery Photo
Los Angeles Times file photo
Update: Owen Crump and Isabel Jewell announce their engagement, July 6, 1936.

You’re probably asking: Which one is the mystery guest? I’ll take answers on either person, but I picked these photos because of the fellow. It’s mostly because of that mustache.

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: Lina Romay!

Oct. 20, 2009, Mystery Photo Los Angeles Times file photo
Update: Jewell and Crump. July 1936.

Here’s another picture of our mystery fellow. Several folks have identified our mystery woman (Mary Mallory, Michael Ryerson, Carmen and Steven Bibb) but nobody has identified our mysterious man with the mustache. I was about to say “he owns only one suit,” but the photo appears to be from the same session as picture No. 1. Our mystery woman has just added a hat and jacket.  

2009_1021_mystery_photo Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Crump and Jewell “swaying to swing rhythm” at the Cocoanut Grove, Aug. 30, 1936.

Here’s another photo of our mystery fellow. Please congratulate Eve Golden and Mary Mallory for identifying him.  Dewey Webb and Megan Thom and Lee have identified our mystery woman.

2009_1022_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Crump and Lucille Fairbanks, niece of Douglas Fairbanks, after their marriage in Santa Barbara, Oct. 12, 1940.

Uh-oh. Something seems to have happened to our mystery woman! This doesn't look good!

Oct. 23, 2009, Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Crump and Fairbanks at the Beverly Hills Brown Derby, Feb. 2, 1941.

This is, as a few people guessed, Owen Crump. I'll be in court today so I won't be able to update this until tomorrow. More TK.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | 43 Comments

Fidel Castro Survives Assassination Attempt

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 23, 1959, Times Cover
Oct. 23, 1959: The courts refuse to halt the steel strike … And Shostakovich is coming.

Oct. 23, 1959, Page 2

Farah Dibah, on a shopping trip to Paris, refuses to confirm reports that she is engaged to marry the shah of Iran.

Oct. 23, 1959, Reds

Harper Poulson, an "unsuccessful writer but a fairly successful machinist," describes his disillusionment with the Communist Party.

Oct. 23, 1959, Sports
Paul Zimmerman writes about the problems Rome faces in preparing for the 1960 Olympics.

A Gallup Poll finds that most Republican county chairmen prefer Vice President Richard Nixon over New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater and U.N. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge in the 1960 presidential race. 

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | 2 Comments

Voices: Soupy Sales, 1926 – 2009

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch
May 22, 1985, Soupy Sales 

May 22, 1985, Soupy Sales

May 22, 1985: TV critic Howard Rosenberg interviews Soupy Sales:

Once, when Tom Snyder noted in an interview that some of his detractors regarded him as "the Soupy Sales of the newsroom," Soupy replied:

"Let me add there is nothing wrong with being a Soupy Sales. I must admit, though, when I have a bad day, I feel like I'm Tom Snyder."

Posted in broadcasting, Obituaries, Television | Comments Off on Voices: Soupy Sales, 1926 – 2009

Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 23, 1919, Briggs
Clare Briggs, “When a Feller Needs a Friend.”

Oct. 23, 1919, New York

Oct. 23, 1919, New York

Oct. 23, 1919: Harry Carr, one of The Times' best-known writers, files a series of vignettes from New York. He says that prohibition is lightly enforced and that it’s still easy to get a drink … and learning the hula is the latest dance craze. Carr writes about the riot over "Die Meistersinger" and says: "Life is never monotonous in a town filled with Irish."

Posted in #opera, art and artists, classical music, Comics, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 23, 1909, Editors  

Oct. 23, 1909, Runaway

Oct. 23, 1909: The editor of the Antelope Valley Gazette is cleared on charges of pulling a gun on the editor of the Antelope Valley Ledger. It’s a nasty dispute involving a woman with a horsewhip who has bad aim … and Gaddy Munford, 12, runs away from home rather than sit next to African Americans in school. 

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Education | Comments Off on Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

October 22, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 22, 1959: Comic panel, woman says "I Can't Believe It!"Brace Yourself

Matt Weinstock  As you have read, Gov. Brown announced the other day that he was through with proclamation business.  Too much time and energy were expended, he said, in calling attention to such inspirational events as Don’t Race Your Motor Month, Pelican Appreciation Week and Don’t Beat Your Wife Day.

From now on, he said, only those proclamations required by law — about a dozen a year – will emanate from his office.

It’s too bad Gov. Brown’s declaration of policy can’t be made retroactive and interstate.

Chopping up the calendar for sweet publicity’s sake has reached a ridiculous nadir. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on October 22, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 22, 1959

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
image

Paul is still on vacation … but he will be back.

Oct. 22, 1959, Abby

Oct. 22, 1959: He’s a man. He works hard. And he smells like a man who works hard.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 22, 1959

Cleaning Up L.A.’s Dirty Air

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 22, 1959, Mirror Cover  
The Mirror has three Page 1 stories about smog.

Oct. 22, 1959, Smog

Oct. 22, 1959: Anti-smog devices are available for cars starting with the 1961 model year.

Posted in Environment, Front Pages | Comments Off on Cleaning Up L.A.’s Dirty Air

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 22, 1949, Pinky 

William Bendix in “Kill the Umpire!” What? Not on Netflix?

Oct. 22, 1949, Pinky

Oct. 22, 1949: “Pinky” gets a supportive review from Edwin Schallert. He calls the film a “fascinating, sometimes sentimental narrative with rare feeling.” It’s interesting how The Times indented the paragraph with the plot summary.

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment

Delay for Caryl Chessman

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 22, 1959, Times Cover

Oct. 22, 1959: President Eisenhower transfers German rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun from Army jurisdiction to NASA.

Oct. 22, 1959, Sports Luau anyone?

The Dodgers submitted a map for their Chavez Ravine ballpark and some of the features were downright headline grabbers. Proposed were a sit-down restaurant, a quick service restaurant, a carwash and automotive center. And a group-luau restaurant.

The City Council quickly moved to delay the whole matter for further study. The city attorney said the automotive center was at the request of traffic and police officials who wanted something nearby to handle stalled cars and overheated engines.

"We know that the confusion about the map is very definitely our responsibility," Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley said in The Times Oct. 24. "The baseball stadium will be set in a tastefully landscaped park and of course will be completely without any shoddy atmosphere or commercialism. This is what we have pledged and what we have always intended to build."

Personally, I would have loved the luau. But the gas station certainly is part of the Dodger Stadium landscape and without it, there never would have been this classic commercial with Tom Lasorda taking Vin Scully out of the game.

–Keith Thursby

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics | 2 Comments

Jealousy Leads to Murder and Suicide

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 22, 1919, Briggs

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs.

Oct. 22, 1919, Zola Schmidt

Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Zola Schmidt was  killed as she slept … while holding a letter from another man.

916 W. 9th, the scene of the crime.

Oct. 22, 1919, Zola Schmidt
“I am anxious to be married with as little delay as possible…”

Oct. 22, 1919, Murder Suicide

George S. Crosman, a one-armed man wearing nothing but a Japanese kimono, kills Mrs. Zola Schmidt, who has been estranged from her husband for about a year. Numerous love letters and rose petals are strewn around the apartment, where a canary sang joyously in its cage.  On the Victrola, “Mammy O’ Mine.”
Posted in art and artists, Comics, Homicide, Music, Suicide | 4 Comments

Plaza Festival Celebrates Columbus Day

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
 Oct. 22, 1909, J.W. Robinson

What the stalwart young lad is wearing.

Oct. 22, 1909, Columbus Day

Oct. 22, 1909: Columbus Day is celebrated at the Plaza with a surprising array of ethnic groups. I’ve seen postcards of the Indian Village at Eastlake Park, but have never found out too much about it. I’d be interested to know which band of Apaches was in Los Angeles. Notice that in addition to Spanish dances, the youngsters did Dutch and Greek dances. And somehow, in celebrating Columbus Day, people found a way to reconnect with “the early times and romance of California.”

Father John Caballeria says: "We should all encourage this glorious spirit of the past and the old mission days of Southern California should never be forgotten. The Indians and the dances all show what great work has been accomplished in the past and just as great a work will be done in the future. This old mission is the mother of the churches in Los Angeles, as all of the churches in the city started from her. The old mission is getting old, very old, and for this reason we want to preserve its walls. The old mission needs lots of help."

Posted in Downtown, Fashion, Religion | Comments Off on Plaza Festival Celebrates Columbus Day

Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 21, 1959, Separate Tables 
Oct. 21, 1959: African Americans are invited to the Arkansas Democratic Harmony Dinner – but they must sit at their own table.

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Politics | Comments Off on Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

October 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above and Beyond

Matt WeinstockFor sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty, a colleague asks a typographical paean for Jerry Leshay, associate director of the George Gobel TV program.  An associate director’s job is to make the show go.  Working from a booth, he co-ordinates all the action.  He signals performers to cut or stretch.  He cues the orchestra.  He alerts those who go on next.  He cuts in the commercials.  Everything is timed to the second.  Above all else, the show must end on time.

Last week, as the program finished on a high happy note — Gobel was in fine form — and the credits were being run off, Jerry saw he was a few seconds over.  Here was a crisis.  Credits may be a bore to watchers but they’re the lifeblood of a TV staff. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Transportation | Comments Off on October 21, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 21, 1959

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 21, 1959, Paul Coates

Paul is still on vacation…

Oct. 21, 1959, Abby

Oct. 21, 1959: A cleaning lady who steals … a grandmother who gets hungry when she’s babysitting … and foreigners who brag.

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Oct. 21, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movies

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 21, 1948, Walk a Crooked Mile 
Oct. 21, 1948: “Walk a Crooked Mile” is at the Pantages and the Hill Street.

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

Voices: Jack Nelson, 1929 – 2009

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch
March 4, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr.
March 4, 1965: Jack Nelson covers a memorial for a civil rights demonstrator.
March 4, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr.

Nelson wrote: "Dr. King declared that 'the man who pulled the trigger is a sick, hate-filled man.' But he added that 'what killed Jimmie Lee Jackson' was more important than 'who killed him.'

"Jackson was killed, Dr. King said, 'by the indifference of every white minster of the Gospel who has remained silent behind the safe security of stained-glass windows.’ "

Posted in Obituaries, Religion | Comments Off on Voices: Jack Nelson, 1929 – 2009

As Undercover Agent, Housewife Spied on Communists

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch
Oct. 21, 1959, Times Cover
Oct. 21, 1959: Moiselle Clinger describes spying on Communists for the FBI.

Oct. 21, 1959, Bank Holdup
Truck driver Gordon Powell says he robbed a bank after losing work because of the steel strike.

Oct. 21, 1959, Caryl Chessman

A new appeal seeks to block the execution of Caryl Chessman.

Oct. 21, 1959, Communist Spy

Oct. 21, 1959, Sign of the Gladiator

“Sign of the Gladiator” in Colorscope. Not on Netflix!

Oct. 21, 1959, Times Sports  
Hey, Keith! It’s a tilt at the Coliseum! And a tiff with L.A. scribes!
Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment