Author Writes Best Seller From Beyond the Grave

Aug. 4, 1959, Zane Grey

Aug. 4, 1959: Zane Grey has been dead for 20 years but left an enormous backlog of unpublished works. At the author's home in Altadena, his son Romer says "Horse Heaven Hill" will be coming out soon and another western is tentatively scheduled for publication in 1960.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Aug. 4, 1952, Nancy

Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 4, 1952.

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Man, 78, Dies After Passing Driver’s Test on Third Try

Aug. 4, 1959, Elderly Driver

Aug. 4, 1959: Anthony Blandino, 78, had failed his driver's test twice. He passed the third time, but collapsed and died after parking his car in front of the DMV office.  

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Russian Leader to Visit L.A.! A.L. Wins All-Star Game

 Aug. 4, 1959, Editorial Cartoon

Bruce Russell's editorial cartoon is appalling today, but this style is typical of the 1950s, when artists frequently relied on a small repertory company of characters that included the Peace Dove, the Russian Bear, Mr. A-Bomb, Uncle Sam, the Taxpayer, etc. 

Aug. 4, 1959, Times Cover

Aug. 4, 1959: Nikita Khrushchev is coming to America! He'll be in Los Angeles — but he's NOT going to Disneyland.

Aug. 4, 1959, Polyzoides

Aug. 4, 1959, Editorial

The Times editorial page takes the announcement of Khrushchev's visit as an opportunity to lead the cheering for Vice President Richard Nixon:

"This is not to say that Mr. Nixon was a mere instrument or expendable pawn. As a trial balloon, he is of the dirigible kind, and his magnificent steering in the tumultuous winds of Russia probably did much for the prestige of his country as well as for himself. From his preliminary exchanges with Khrushchev at the fair to the savage conference with the Soviet reporters that closed his visit, Nixon had himself and his materials in wonderful control."

The editorial ends by saying: "The wise American will not conclude that the time is near for reducing the defense budget."

At left, an opinion/analysis piece by Polyzoides on the Soviet leader's upcoming visit. I rarely run any of these because they're not especially interesting or insightful, but they were a staple in The Times for many years. 

Aug. 4, 1959, Khrushchev Visit

The Times sends reporters to the streets to get the views of average people. Somewhat miraculously, nobody interviewed a taxicab driver, a bartender or someone in a laundermat.

Construction worker John Lewandowski said: "I don't know. That fellow has been ranting and raving about us so much over there … no, I don't think I like it."

Florist Edgar Berens said: "Khrushchev has been fighting capitalism. Perhaps if he is shown what we've got over here, how much better off we are, it might be effective. So I think it's a good idea. Of course, though, we don't know what he'll tell the Russians when he gets back."

The head of the American Council of Christian Churches denounces the visit: "It is morally wrong to extend an invitation to the bloody butcher of Hungary who has announced his intention to bury us."

Aug. 4, 1959, Hollywood Bowl

Sol Hurok schedules extra performances by Soviet artists at the Hollywood Bowl.


Aug. 4, 1959, Sports The all-star game came to Los Angeles and the town greeted the event
as if, well, it was the only all-star baseball game of the season.

More than 55,000 were at the Coliseum to watch the American League
win, 5-3. This was the first time two all-star games had been played in
one season. Don Drysdale, who was the top player in 1959's first
all-star game, took the loss in this one. He gave up home runs to Yogi
Berra of the Yankees and Frank Malzone of the Red Sox.

I think baseball should return to the days of two all-star games.
Pick a charity each season, raise some money for a good cause and let
fans in two cities see baseball's best.

I'd also like to see World Series games played in the day, at least
on the weekend. And bring back Sunday doubleheaders. And the 154-game
schedule. And I wouldn't mind seeing another baseball game at the
Coliseum with 115,000 of my closest friends.

–Keith Thursby

Posted in @news, art and artists, classical music, Comics, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Politics, Religion, Richard Nixon, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Russian Leader to Visit L.A.! A.L. Wins All-Star Game

Cooking With the Junior League, Independence, Mo.

Bess Truman Cookbook

This week in Cooking With the Junior League, Mary McCoy looks at the recipes of former First Lady Bess Truman.

Mary writes: 

"There have been unlikelier First Ladies than Bess Truman, but few I like more.

"And so, despite the fact that this cookbook dedicated to Truman’s life and to her cooking, was published by the Junior Service League of Independence, Missouri,
and not an affiliate of the Association of Junior Leagues
International, I was too attached to it not to devote a little time to
it."

Read more>>>

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A Fatal Sack of Potatoes

 Aug. 4, 1899, Potatoes

Aug.
4, 1899: Dr. O.S. Barnum sues for the cost of treating Joseph W.Kellar, who died after straining himself while lifting a sack of potatoes.

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Death of a Stagecoach Driver

 Aug 4, 1889, Washburn

Aug.
4, 1889: Racked with pain from rheumatism, former stagecoach driver Sam Washburn takes an overdose of morphine.

 
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Found on EBay — Myer Siegel

Buster Brown Hat Myer & Siegel

Myer Siegel, Buster Brown Hat

This Buster Brown hat from Myer Siegel in Los Angeles has been listed on EBay. Until now, I've only seen these hats in the comics. Bidding starts at $44.99.

Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 3, 1959

Free Enterprise

Matt WeinstockThe 30-cent bite for a pack of cigarettes in vending machines is still outraging the addicts and, free enterprise being what it is, two regulars in a downtown saloon have set up an unusual business operation.

They take turns watching for customers heading for the cigarette machine. This is not always easy to do, if you know this saloon.

When one appears he is intercepted and given a fast hustle. As long as he is about to invest 30 cents in cigarettes, how about skipping the machine and letting a pal buy them for him around the corner? Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 3, 1959

Confidential File

‘Lost’ Youth’s Letter Tells Tragic Story

Paul Coates, in coat and tieToday, the story’s a grim one.

It starts with a letter I received last week.

The letter begins: “Dear Mr. Coates:

“I’m 18 years old. I live with my parents in Los Angeles.

“I have an older married brother.

“Now you know a little about my family.

“What I’m writing to you about is help for mentally ill people.

“I don’t consider myself outright crazy, but I have a feeling inside me that’s building up to the point where I feel I’m going to be before very long.

“I can’t tell my parents or friends what all is wrong. That’s why I wanted to see a physchiatrist (spelled wrong, I know). I need to talk to someone trained in this field who can ask leading questions to find the real motivations of people’s problems. Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Aug. 3, 1951, Nancy  

Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 3, 1951.

Posted in art and artists, Comics | 1 Comment

An Arrest at a Chinese Laundry

Aug. 3, 1899, Laundry

Aug.
3,
1899:  Ah Wo is arrested again. 

GITTES

Yeah. Tell me. You still throw
Chinamen into jail for spitting
on the laundry?

ESCOBAR

You're behind the times, Jake
–they've got steam irons now —
(smiles) And I'm out of Chinatown.

 
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Men Paid More Than Women at L.A. Schools

Aug. 3, 1889, Schools

Aug. 3, 1889: A statistical breakdown on schools, a doctor is charged in an abortion and allegations of incest. What's this? Male teachers average $88.55 ($2,095.87 USD 2008) a month, and female teachers average $75.36 ($1,783.68).

Aug. 3, 1889, Depravity
Posted in #courts, Education | Comments Off on Men Paid More Than Women at L.A. Schools

Billy Graham Tent Revival

Sept. 17, 1949, Billy Graham

Sept. 17, 1949: Billy Graham's tent revival is coming to Los Angeles.

http://bogtube.com/player/ePlayer.swf?f=http://bogtube.com/player/eConfig.php?vkey=3c29048673252e490f73

Here's an intense, young Billy Graham preaching in Los Angeles in 1949.

http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf

And here is his speaking style 30 years later.

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A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Comics

Aug. 2, 1950, Nancy

Ernie Bushmiller's "Nancy," Aug. 2, 1950.

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Faithful Dog Guards Drunk Master

Aug. 2, 1899, Faithful Dog

Aug.
2,
1899: Porfiro Sanchez and his faithful dog head home to Garvanza after an exciting day in the big city.
 
Posted in Animals, Food and Drink, LAPD | 2 Comments

Divorce Suit Reveals Molestation Charges

 

1889_0802_divorce

Aug. 2, 1889: Dominique Lassere sues for divorce, accusing his  wife, Eulalia, of adultery. In turn, Eulalia "a pretty girl with flashing black eyes and pearly teeth," charges him with molesting her 11-year-old sister, Catarina.

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Matt Weinstock, August 1, 1959

Yes? No?

Matt WeinstockSomeone at the Allied Artists Studio got an idea the other day for a gimmick to draw attention to the opening Aug. 5 of the movie, “The Big Circus” — have a wire walker go back and forth on a high wire stretched across Broadway from the roof of the Orpheum theater. Publicist Ted Bonnet was assigned to get permission.

He went to the Police Commission in the Police Facilities Building and was told, “This is a traffic matter. The man for you to see is the chief of the traffic division on the sixth floor.”

He went there and was told, “This is not a police matter. The man to see is the chief of the  streets use division of the Board of Public Works. When we’re notified that the permit has been issued, we’ll handle the matter.” Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Aug. 1, 1959

Confidential File

Mash Notes and Comments

Paul Coates, in coat and tie“Dear Mr. Coates:

“You are my court of last resort. I’ve tried everything but my mind will not rest.

“On June 12, we went into a pet shop in Inglewood, as a friend of mine told me they had a 2-month-old bobcat kitten for sale for $75. She knew we had been watching for one.

“I first phoned the pet shop and the owner told me this was so. So when my husband came home from work we went right over to purchase the kitten. There was a large sign on the cage: FOR SALE, 2-month-old BOB CAT, $75 (male).

“So when my husband wanted to buy it and take it home, the owner said he’d like to clean it up a bit and keep it for a few days for attraction.

Continue reading →

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President Backs U.S. Coal Over Foreign Oil; KTLA Cuts Commercials

1979_0801_cover_thumb

Aug. 1, 1979: Gas rationing … the energy crisis … and SALT II. "I would rather burn a ton of Kentucky coal than see our nation become dependent by buying another barrel of OPEC oil," President Carter says.

Aug. 1, 1979, TV

Don Galloway hosts "The Guinness Game," a syndicated show about attempts to make or break world records.

Fewer commercials? Were they nuts?

Don Page's column headlined the news that Channel 5 would cut back
commercials during their prime time movies by 25%. And most movies
would run full length.

In other news about Channel 5, which like The Times is now owned by
the Tribune Co., "Kung Fu" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" were dropped
from the fall schedule. –Keith Thursby

Aug. 1, 1979, Amityville

"The Amityville Horror!"

Posted in broadcasting, Environment, Television | Comments Off on President Backs U.S. Coal Over Foreign Oil; KTLA Cuts Commercials