Vandals paint swastika on Hollywood synagogue, December 12, 1938

Posted on December 12, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Vandals paint a swastika on Temple Beth El, 1508 N. Wilton.

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Nazi police censor sermons of Vienna’s Catholic priests.
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The former temple photographed by Nathan Marsak, who wrote a wonderful post on the 1947 project.

Today’s edition of The Times offers a fairly stunning array of prejudice, whether it’s the great white hunter and dim-witted natives in Africa, vandalism of a synagogue or hate speech by Father Coughlin.

http://www.archive.org/flow/FlowPlayerLight.swf

Father Coughlin was an extremely influential and controversial broadcaster, although he seems tedious, long-winded and didactic today. Pay particular attention to his Nov. 20, 1938, broadcast in which he quotes Henry Ford rebutting a published interview, saying that Jews in Germany weren’t persecuted and that Jewish refugees wouldn’t be happy working in his factories.

Also note Coughlin’s charges that advertisers control newspapers’ content.

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Carole Lombard as Scarlett O’Hara?

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Giants upset Packers, 23-17.

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Religion, Sports | Comments Off on Vandals paint swastika on Hollywood synagogue, December 12, 1938

Mystery photo

Posted on December 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Photograph by Bob Potwin / Los Angeles Times

I suspect that regular Daily Mirror readers will guess him right away.
Update: Gardner McKay in 1962 with his dog, named Pussycat.

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Photograph by George R. Fry
Los Angeles Times 		Please congratulate Dewey Webb for recognizing our mystery guest. Here’s our fellow with another animal.

Update: In 1977, McKay retrieves a pet cheetah named Kenya from the roof of the garage at his Coldwater Canyon home.

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Times file photo 		Here’s a big clue to our mystery fellow.

Update: This is McKay in a 1960 publicity photo for "Adventures in Paradise." The Times cropped it down to a one-column mug shot. No bare-chested, hunky guys in The Times, folks. As late as 1971, the art department painted a shirt on a photo of bare-chested Charlton Heston in "The Omega Man." Incredible. 

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Los Angeles Times file photo 		I’m getting lots of correct guesses. Let’s see who else figures out the name of our mystery guest.

Update: McKay in 1974.
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Times file photo
Gardner McKay in 1981.

As almost everyone guessed, this is Gardner McKay, who starred in the TV show "Adventures in Paradise" and then abandoned his acting career for other pursuits, including writing. Several of his works are listed on bookfinder.com.

Posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Television | 25 Comments

Voices — Bettie Page, 1923 – 2008

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

 

 

A Golden Age for a Pinup

Bettie Page — Nurse Bettie, Jungle Bettie — soldiered in the sexual revolution. At 82, she finds her image earns a respectable living.

March 11, 2006

By Louis Sahagun,
Times Staff Writer

Bettie Page was plunging into the day’s work: autographing pinups of herself in various Naughty Girl personas, with kitschy bangs, high heels, mesh hose and tasseled underwear.

Nurse Bettie. Jester Bettie. Substitute Teacher Bettie. Maid Bettie. Voodoo Bettie. Cowgirl Bettie. Jungle Bettie. Wild Orchid Bettie. Banned in Boston Bettie. Crackers in Bed Bettie.

The task ahead was arduous given her many ailments, including diabetes and stabbing pains in her back, legs and hands.

But the 82-year-old Page — a taboo-breaker who helped usher in the sexual revolution of the 1960s — is not a quitter. Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Obituaries | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

Bullocks_sweater
 Talk about a period piece. Here’s a boy’s sweater from Bullock’s Wilshire listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $24.99. 
Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Bullock’s Wilshire

Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

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"Venta will return and be resurrected."
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Known as "the barefoot people."

 Above, followers of Krishna Venta describe life at the Fountain of the World religious compound and the bombing that killed 10 people.

"A tower of blue and white flame erupted into the sky. It seemed to go as far as the eye could see," says Brother Martin, who joined the cult three weeks earlier.

At the sect’s compound in Alaska, Venta’s wife, Mother Ruth, says: "Don’t use the word ‘dead,’ He is the Christ and we do not believe in death. His body won’t be found."

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Leader born Francis Pencovic.

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"We know we are on a mission."
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Missionary objects to being portrayed by "evil woman" Ingrid Bergman.

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NCAA investigates alleged
recruiting violations at USC.

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | Comments Off on Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

December 11, 1938: Breakfast of death; voodoo cult killings

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

December 10, 1938: I defy anyone to insist that the past was “a kinder, simpler time” after reading this page. But don’t take my word for it — see for yourself. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1938, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on December 11, 1938: Breakfast of death; voodoo cult killings

Retro holiday gift — Yankees vs. Tigers, 1934

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch
1938_october_16_radio1 http://www.archive.org/flow/FlowPlayerLight.swf

Of course, you could buy this broadcast, but it’s free on archive.org. Listening to a 74-year-old baseball game may not be everybody’s idea of entertainment, but it’s fun to hear the announcer talk about Hank Greenberg and Lou Gehrig and speculate on whether Babe Ruth is going to play. 

   

Posted in broadcasting, Sports | 1 Comment

Flying saucer found in man’s garage

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch




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After 38 years, a "lost" Hollywood artifact with a truly cosmic
history has resurfaced and, no surprise, it’s headed straight for the
auction block.

This Thursday, Dec. 11, the iconic flying saucer from the 1956 MGM classic "Forbidden Planet"
will be auctioned off in Calabasas Hills and is expected to fetch
anywhere between $80,000 and $120,000, which would be a nice, tidy
payday for its owner, a North Carolina man who had the prop stored in
his garage and didn’t realize its market value.

The silver saucer is 82 inches in diameter and constructed of wood, steel and fiberglass and, according to the Profiles in History auction house,
it is "a marvel of 1950s engineering." That’s because "the central
landing base extends from the bottom of the craft by internal movement
mechanisms with electric motor drive, as does the ladder and two
conveyor-loading ramps."

Read more by my colleague Geoff Boucher >>>


Posted in Film, Hollywood, Stage, UFOs | 3 Comments

Dodgers’ move pays off at the gate, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch




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 Wow! Luger cuff links and matching tie clip. I mean … wow!–lrh At left, a pair from an old EBay auction. I’ll see if any more turn up. Just for the heck of it.



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The Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles made money for most of the National League.

Frank Finch has a dry but telling story in The Times, breaking down
how much each team benefited from the Dodgers’ first season in the
Coliseum. Overall Dodger attendance increased from 1,028,258 at Ebbets
Field in 1957 to 1,845,556 at the Coliseum in 1958. Only the Phillies
and the Reds didn’t make more money going to Los Angeles, so the
Dodgers paid the clubs to meet guarantees for their added travel
expenses.

"We took the average attendance of each club at Ebbets Field over
the last five years and guaranteed them that much in the Coliseum," the
Dodgers’ Buzzie Bavasi told Finch. They had to pay Philadelphia about
$9,000 and Cincinnati about $1,950.

The trip to L.A. certainly increased travel budgets. Finch said some
teams spent up to $30,000 more than the previous season. But revenues
were way up too.

What teams were popular? The Cardinals drew 280,563 in eight games
which earned them $77,154.82, Finch said. And the Milwaukee Braves drew
376,760 and earned $103,609 for their games in Los Angeles.

The Giants earned the biggest share from the Los Angeles receipts,
$105,330.22 for drawing 383, 019 to their games in the Coliseum.

–Keith Thursby


   

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Fashion, Front Pages, Sports | Comments Off on Dodgers’ move pays off at the gate, December 10, 1958

Cult leader killed in bombing of religious compound, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch
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American history presented as a lavish pageant, the only film directed by Anthony Quinn, who took over from the ailing  Cecil B. DeMille. With a great score by Elmer Bernstein.
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An ad published in The Times shortly before the explosion.
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Gardena OKs 7th poker parlor.

Krishna Venta, seven of his followers and two former members are killed in a suicide bombing at the Fountain of the World compound in Box Canyon near Chatsworth.

"Bits of flesh were found scattered through the area. The remains of the victims were virtually unidentifiable."

A Ventura County sheriff’s official says Ralph J.S. Muller and Peter
Dumas Kamenoff left two rambling, hourlong tape recordings in which
they promised to "bring Krishna to justice." The blast was so powerful
that a woman who lived a mile away was knocked out of bed, The Times
said.

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County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn announces plans to build an art museum on Wilshire Boulevard in Hancock Park. 

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As one of its last acts, the Pacific Coast Conference lifts sanctions against the UCLA athletic program. UCLA was put on athletic probation in 1956 after revelations that athletes were receiving illegal payments.
Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — Florentine Gardens

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch
Florentine_gardens_ebay
 Here’s one of the souvenir photos from the Florentine Gardens that occasionally turns up on EBay. It’s listed as Buy It Now for $15.99.
Posted in Nightclubs | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Florentine Gardens

Found on EBay — Bullocks Wilshire

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

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 Irene_lentz_label

Here’s still another Irene Lentz outfit from Bullocks Wilshire listed on EBay. It’s listed as Buy It Now for $698.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Comments Off on Found on EBay — Bullocks Wilshire

Arsonists set fire to university offices, Colts win over Rams, December 9, 1968

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch




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The Rams were supposed to beat the Chicago Bears and then face the
Baltimore Colts to determine the division championship. But a series of
mistakes — and the Bears — got in the way as the Rams lost, 17-16.

The most controversial error was made by the officials, who lost a
down when the Rams were trying to drive for a winning field goal with
less than a minute to play.

The Rams were called for holding on a first-down pass play that fell
incomplete. The Times’ Mal Florence picks up the action: "Seemingly the
Rams had a first down on their own 47, but the yard marker
unaccountably read second down. You don’t lose a down on such an
infraction after the defense accepts the penalty."

But the Rams did.

"We have no excuses, no alibis," Coach George Allen said. According
to Florence’s story, Allen wasn’t aware at the time that the Rams had
lost a down.

Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended the officials, taking them out
of contention for post-season games. Made sense, since the loss did the
same thing to the Rams.

— Keith Thursby



Posted in #courts, Education, Front Pages, Politics, San Fernando Valley, Sports | 2 Comments

Mayor refuses to give Senate committee secret files on LAPD funds, December 9, 1938

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Los Angeles sizzles at 92 degrees and thousands of beach-goers went into the
ocean, even though it was 64 degrees. The Soviet weather bureau says the North Pole has been warming up for the last 10 years.
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Octopus saves student from drowning and ends up preserved in alcohol.

Above, Mayor Fletcher Bowron and City Atty. Ray Chesbro refuse requests by the Senate Civil Rights Committee to turn over information on a secret police fund. The fund, which received $30,000 to $90,000 annually from the city budget, was originally used to fight bootlegging and drugs, but since the repeal of Prohibition, the money had been spent on secret investigations, The Times says.

At left, police vice squads arrest 16 people in raids on bookmaking operations across the city.

And Goodwill industries repairs dolls for Christmas presents. Goodwill repairs 5,000 dolls a year, The Times says. 

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Early Oscar buzz: An ad for "A Man to Remember" by Dalton Trumbo predicts an Academy Award!

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The Hollywood Stars are sold to a syndicate headed by Robert H.
Cobb, owner of the Brown Derby restaurants, and Victor Ford Collins. I could say that under Cobb, the Stars were in their salad days–but it would be wrong.

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Politics, Sports | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo — 1st and Broadway

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch




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Posted in art and artists, books, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo — 1st and Broadway

Found on EBay — Batchelder tile

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch
Batchelder_tile_ebay03 An EBay vendor is selling the two marked pieces of Batchelder tile at left, which appear to be part of the same design. Both are listed at $9.99, although there is a reserve. The top piece is listed here. The bottom piece is listed here.

I suspect that they might be in the same design as the piece below, offered by a second dealer:

Batchelder_tile_ebay04 Batchelder_tile_ebay05
Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Real Estate | 2 Comments

Senator, 66, to marry beauty queen, 22; baseball commissioner fired, December 8, 1968

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) plans to marry Miss South Carolina, 1965, Nancy Moore.

1968_1208_sports The Times ran a United Press International story predicting big changes for baseball in the wake of owners firing the commissioner, William D. Eckert. Possibilities included:

— Letting relief pitchers come in and out and back in games.

— Making intentional walks automatic.

— Having specialists who run for slow players or hit for pitchers.

The only thing to see reality was the designated hitter rule, which started a few years later in the American League. They didn’t ask me, but I would have voted for the automatic walks.

A three-member committee was formed to come up with a plan. With baseball’s speed, the group might still be meeting.

— Keith Thursby
Posted in @news, Front Pages, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

L.A.’s confusing freeways, December 8, 1958

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Beverly and La Cienega, home of pony rides for two generations of children.
I believe Gales was on a different corner.

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Note the Bible verse and the puzzling editorial cartoon.

What was on the minds of Times’ readers in 1958? It’s all too familiar: Healthcare costs, confusing freeways and poor city planning.

"Politicians have good reasons for kissing babies. These are the little angels who will be taxed to pay for the local and foreign aid programs, the public power and housing projects and the other endless giveaways and handouts used by politicians to snag votes and bring victory at the polls."
Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages, health, Transportation | 2 Comments

Nixon White House tapes released

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch
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From my colleague Andrew Malcom at Top of the Ticket

President Nixon still pretty steamed about suspect staff loyalty

Hard to believe maybe, but ex-President Richard Nixon is still pretty @&^?:%\%# angry.

This guy’s mom may have been a Quaker, but he perfected grudges beyond Sicilian-style. Every few months, it seems, we get new evidence that Nixon’s even angrier than the last time we heard from him.

Another 90,000 pages of documents and 198 hours of Nixon tapes were released Tuesday by the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda. Phewee! If we could somehow tap into this thermal anger, bang! National energy independence the next day.

Google swears that Richard Milhous Nixon died on April 22, 1994. But thanks to these tapes, Nixon’s voice lives on as a reminder of something. You can listen to many of them here and we’ve added a couple of video recordings below. (Just click on the "Read more" line to view them and listen.)

This latest tape collection, chronicled elsewhere on this site today, has Nixon plotting with aide H.R. Haldeman to get the income taxes of Clark Clifford, a Vietnam War critic and former secretary of Defense, audited.

Read more >>>

 

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Politics | Comments Off on Nixon White House tapes released

Vintage fashion photos

Posted on December 8, 2008 by lmharnisch




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Lillian Bassman/Peter Fetterman Gallery

From Holly Myers at Culture Monster:

Fashion photographer Lillian Bassman, protégée of Harper’s Bazaar
designer Alexey Brodovitch and friend to Richard Avedon, rose to
prominence in the 1940s and ’50s but drifted out of the business, threw
out her negatives and fell into relative obscurity for decades — until
Helen Frankenthaler, who happened to be renting her onetime studio,
came across a cache of lost negatives in 1991. A monograph followed, a
flush of prestigious assignments and a handful of exhibitions,
launching her career once more at about age 80.

A substantial survey at the Peter Fetterman Gallery
reveals Bassman, now 91, to be an artist of singular if rather
obstinate vision. Indeed, her style was so distinct — black-and-white,
highly contrasted, fantastically romantic — that it’s difficult to
imagine how she could have weathered the shift into the ocher-tinted
haze of the ’60s and ’70s.

Read more>>>


 

Posted in art and artists, Fashion | Comments Off on Vintage fashion photos