November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins Heisman

Posted on November 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins the Heisman Trophy.

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins the Heisman Trophy.O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career.

Dwight Chapin’s story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense–even Simpson said he was “pretty confident.” Who could blame him? After all, he set NCAA records in 1968 for yards gained and carries and scored 21 touchdowns.

Looking back on any Simpson story has its weird elements. Chapin’s
story recounted a friendly exchange between Simpson and LAPD Chief Tom
Reddin who said at one point, “I’m so happy for you. I’m a hero worshiper and you’re the greatest.”

And there’s a quote from Simpson about his former surroundings: “I go home to my old area and some of my friends actually hide from me. I guess maybe it’s that I’m different now. They’re doing the same things I used to do but they’re still doing them. I’m not.”

Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, broadcasting, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Poison gas kills Disney’s mother, November 27, 1938

Posted on November 27, 2008 by lmharnisch
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 Above, Walt Disney gave his parents a home at 4605 Placidia Ave., Toluca Lake, for their golden wedding anniversary. According to The Times, a faulty furnace connection let carbon monoxide into the house. Disney’s father, Elias, was found unconscious but survived, The Times said. 

Wildfires cross Mulholland and head for Encino, a mile from the homes of Al Jolson, Joel McCrea, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Phil Harris, The Times says.

The federal debt sets a record: $38 billion.

At left, the Nazis ban jazz, effective Jan. 1, 1939, saying that it is only fit for Jews and Negroes.

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Nazi "pawnshops" to buy Jewish goods. 

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Stanford wins over Dartmouth, 23-13.
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Above, The Times explains some of the special effects used by Roy Seawright in "Topper."

Some films in production or to start soon:

Warners: "Juarez," "Dodge City," "Oklahoma Kid," "Dark Victory," "Sea Hawk" and "Each Dawn I Die."

RKO: "Gunga Din."

Paramount: "Union Pacific."

MGM: "Northwest Passage," "Wizard of Oz," "Ninotchka."

David O. Selznick plans to start work in January on "Gone With the Wind." 

And Walter Wanger is making "Stagecoach."

Posted in @news, Blues, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Religion, Sports | 2 Comments

Found on EBay — From Haggarty’s

Posted on November 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Haggartys_hat_ebay
 Here’s a blue straw hat from Haggarty’s, an upscale women’s shop that once operated in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Beverly Hills and other Southern California locations before going out of business in 1970. Bidding starts at $9.99. 
Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — From Haggarty’s

LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Posted on November 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

November 28, 1958: Police Chief William Parker presents Cynthia Nash with a posthumous Medal of Valor in honor of her late husband, Gene, who was killed in a shootout with robbery suspects.
Note: This is an encore post from 2008.

Police Sgt. Gene T. Nash died after a shootout with robbery suspects in an apartment house on Budlong just south of Adams. In a televised ceremony, Police Chief William H. Parker presented his widow, Cynthia, with her husband’s Medal of Valor.

But that’s only the beginning of the story. Unfortunately, many pieces of the puzzle are missing from The Times, so the picture is incomplete.

This is what we know:

Nash, 32, and Sgt. W.F. Bitterolf of the Robbery Division, accompanied by Sgts. S.O. Eastenson and C.E. Leonard, went to the apartment house at 2723 S. Budlong Ave. to investigate whether members of a crime ring were hiding there. According to The
Times, a group of robbers had been holding up crap games, taking $7 to $140. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Television | Comments Off on LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Thanksgiving with a microwave, 1975

Posted on November 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

1975_1109_thanksgiving
The Times offers recipes for a complete  Thanksgiving dinner you can make with your new microwave. 		1975_1109_thanksgiving02
WARNING: These recipes have not been through the Daily Mirror test kitchen and are for entertainment value only.
Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages | 1 Comment

Rams win over Giants, November 25, 1968

Posted on November 25, 2008 by lmharnisch



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The Rams pulled out a 24-21 victory over the New York Giants with some old and new tricks.

Bruce Gossett’s field goal with only four seconds left kept the Rams
(9-1-1) within striking distance of the division leading Baltimore
Colts. It was the third time this season Gossett had been called on
late to tie or win a game.

The new wrinkle was a 60-yard bomb from Roman Gabriel to Wendell
Tyler, making his first career start. How significant was the play? The
Times published a drawing of it, with analysis by Coach George Allen.

–Keith Thursby

Note: Wendell Tyler did not play for the Rams in 1968. He didn’t debut
with the Rams until 1977. I should have written Wendell Tucker. At least I
didn’t call him Wendell Wilkie. –Keith



Posted in Front Pages, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports | 3 Comments

Southern California in flames, November 25, 1938

Posted on November 25, 2008 by lmharnisch


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This photograph is 70 years old but it could have been taken last week.


 
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The Times’ L.D. Hotchkiss takes on Pulitzer-winning columnist Westbrook Pegler.
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Fire damage

–10,000 acres in Topanga and Rustic canyons
–4,000 acres in San Bernardino County.
–2,000 acres in San Diego County.
–1,000 acres in Ventura County.
–300 acres in Santa Barbara County

On the front page, wildfires burn across Southern California, The Times says. Hundreds of mountain and beach cabins were destroyed in the fires.

The Nazis plan a new requirement that Aryans married to Jews must divorce or be considered Jews … Britain and France agree to share their air forces in an attempt to match Germany and Italy. France, meanwhile, prepares to sign a peace pledge with Germany similar to one signed by Britain.


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Adolf Hitler honors Stanford professor William Alpha Cooper. It’s a bit unclear as to why.

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Movie censorship … and Mary Boland needs a police escort!

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USC wins over UCLA, 42-7 and heads for the 1939 Rose Bowl.




Posted in Columnists, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Sports, Stage | Comments Off on Southern California in flames, November 25, 1938

Thanksgiving, 1968

Posted on November 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

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"A new dish for this year’s feast can add excitement, too, especially if you stick to the Thanksgiving cliches."

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Note: These recipes have not been through the Daily Mirror test kitchen and are for entertainment value only.
Posted in Food and Drink, Front Pages | Comments Off on Thanksgiving, 1968

Colts win over Rams, 34-7, November 24, 1958

Posted on November 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

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The Rams fumbled away their season in a 34-7 loss to the Baltimore
Colts. Los Angeles fumbled six times, including twice near the
Baltimore goal line, and had four passes intercepted.

Del Shofner dropped a pass at the Baltimore 1-yard line and Tom
Wilson fumbled at the 2. Both mistakes were brutal since the Colts only
blew open the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Rams 21-0.

–Keith Thursby
Posted in Front Pages | 1 Comment

Comedian dies during Friars roast, November 24, 1958

Posted on November 24, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Ozone in downtown Los Angeles reaches 0.49 parts per million, just short of a Stage 1 alert. Today, 0.50 would be a Stage 3 alert.

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Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller arrive in New York.

Comedian Harry Einstein, 53, known as Parkyakarkus, collapses moments after finishing what Friars Club members said was "the most hilarious speech of his career" during a tribute to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  (Note: The runover page wasn’t microfilmed, so we don’t have the rest of the story).

On his way back to his seat, Einstein touched Art Linkletter on the shoulder, stumbled and grabbed the back of his chair, then fell into the arms of Milton Berle. "It was like a wave of horror had suddenly swept over the room," a witness says.

My colleague Brian Hanrahan points out that Einstein’s sons are Albert Brooks, Bob Einstein and Charles Einstein.

"This offering meant so much to me. Now it means
nothing. Please, everyone, pray to your God that he will be saved."


–Desi Arnaz
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Above, John Wayne says he will  direct "The Alamo."

Interestingly enough, The Times reported as early as 1951 that Republic had approved the budget for Wayne to make "The Alamo." Although imdb reports that the script was by John Edward Grant, The Times said in 1948 that the screenplay was by John Ford’s son Pat. But what’s this? John Wayne was linked to a project about the Alamo in 1935? Hm. By Lindsley Parsons and Robert Emmett. That’s a new one on me.

Posted in @news, broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Nightclubs, Obituaries, Television | 4 Comments

Found on EBay — Bullocks Wilshire

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch
Bullocks_wilshire_hat_ebay
 Here’s a Dobbs Fifth Avenue hat from Bullocks Wilshire, listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.99, but there is a reserve.

   
   
   

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

Frank Lloyd Wright house — $7.73 million

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch




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Photographs by Scott Mayoral

La Miniatura, 645 Prospect Crescent, Pasadena, still on the market at $7,733,000.

By Diane Wedner,
Times Staff Writer

August 24, 2008

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La Miniatura — built in Pasadena in 1923 — is remarkable, even by Frank Lloyd Wright standards. One of only four of the famed architect’s local textile-block designs, this renovated home is considered by some to be the most romantic of that style, which features an open floor plan, a seamless indoor-outdoor flow and roof terraces for outdoor living, popularized in the early 20th century.

Wright’s textile-block creations were constructed of precast concrete blocks with patterned exterior surfaces through which natural light flows; the pattern of the blocks varies on each project.

Read more >>>


 

Posted in Architecture, Real Estate | Comments Off on Frank Lloyd Wright house — $7.73 million

Nazi SS troops kill wealthy Jews in orgy of murder, November 23, 1938

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Death at Sachsenhausen.

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These old papers are full of ugly stereotypes, but this one makes
a powerful contrast with the
Holocaust coverage.

The Times publishes a United Press story based a London News Chronicle account. The report says a group of 62 well-to-do Jews, mostly lawyers, doctors, landlords, engineers, businessmen and two rabbis, were forced to run a gantlet in which Nazi SS troops beat them with clubs and shovels. When the Nazis were done, 12 were dead and more were badly injured, "some with eyes out and faces smashed," The Times says.

In Los Angeles, acting Police Chief David A. Davidson transfers 22 men in the continuing shakeup of the department.

Read the fine print: Capt. C.B. Horrall, who will lead the LAPD through World War II, is shifted to the Metro Division and Lt. Arthur Hohmann is appointed police chief. Those are two names to watch for as the next few years unfold. 

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Rachmaninoff performs at Philharmonic Auditorium and includes one
of his own works in a survey of piano repertoire.

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Wedding bells for George Zaharias
and Babe Didrikson. 		At left, the Cubs offer Dizzy Dean a $185,000 ($2,696,650.66 USD 2007) contract, which was what he was paid by the Cardinals. Oops, my error. Dean was purchased for $185,000. His salary was $20,000. Thanks for catching it!

In football, USC and UCLA prepare for their Thanksgiving game at the Coliseum.

"It was glove at first sight last night at the Olympic, Irish Mickey
MacAvoy and Al George proving themselves No. 1 contenders in the hop,
step and chump event."

–Jack Singer
Posted in @news, City Hall, Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | 2 Comments

November 23, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo — Lincoln Heights

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

November 23, 1938: Nuestro PuebloAbove, Sam’s Lunch Room in 1938 and below, Avenue 19 via Google maps street view.

 

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on November 23, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo — Lincoln Heights

A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch
“Undergarments worn during the day should never be worn at night. Remove your undergarments and hang them where they will become thoroughly aired before morning. Do not allow them to remain in the room you sleep in for you must not breathe back into your system the impurities thrown off by the pores.”

–A. Victor Segno,
“How to Live 100 Years,”
Los Angeles, 1903
Posted in books, health | Comments Off on A. Victor Segno — “How to Live 100 Years”

Found on EBay — From Silverwood’s

Posted on November 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Silverwoods_brochure_ebay
 Here’s a 16-page brochure on men’s fashions for 1925 from Silverwood’s, Broadway and 6th Street. Bidding starts at $14.99.
Posted in Fashion | Comments Off on Found on EBay — From Silverwood’s

November 22, 1958: Hall of Famer dies after crash

Posted on November 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

November 22, 1958: Sports By Gary Rubin
Times staff writer

November 22, 1958: Mel Ott raises right foot when battingFifty years ago today, sports fans in general and baseball fans in particular woke up to read the startling news that Hall of Famer Mel Ott was dead after surgery for a kidney injury suffered in an automobile accident in New Orleans. He was just 49.

Baby boomers may not be all that familiar with Ott, but in a 21-year playing career, all spent with the New York Giants, Ott was one of great power hitters of all time, finishing with 511 home runs, a National League record that stood until broken by Willie Mays in 1965.

Though not particularly big, at 5-9, 170, Ott generated great power with a unique batting stance. As the pitch came in, the left-handed Ott would raise his right foot at least a foot.

Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Sports | 1 Comment

November 22, 1958: Estranged wife kills jealous husband

Posted on November 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

November 22, 1958: Times coverIn a confrontation over a divided Berlin, a Soviet official says the government plans to give control to the East Germans by Christmas, and some Soviet troops are reportedly going home. President Eisenhower vows to maintain the occupation of West Berlin. The central issue was whether the U.S., Britain and France would accept East German participation in the organization that controlled the city’s military and commercial air traffic. Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off on November 22, 1958: Estranged wife kills jealous husband

Found on EBay — streetcar photo

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

Trolley_ebay
 Here’s a nice sharp image of a streetcar passing City Hall. It’s been listed on EBay with a starting bid of $5.
Posted in City Hall, Transportation | 1 Comment

End of the view

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

6a00d8341cb90f53ef010535fe438d970b
 I’m sorry to note that one of my favorite downtown blogs, "View From a Loft," is going to be mothballed. Through "Loft," graphic artist Ed Fuentes explored downtown Los Angeles as only a resident can.

He writes:

HELLO, I MUST BE GOING:
Despite an ongoing effort from a strong social and professional network
of supporters, the loft is no longer home. Technically, I have the end
of the month to catch up and retain what has been my residence for ten
years (and workplace for a bulk of those ten years), but for now every
possible solution has been exhausted.

Read more >>>

Posted in art and artists, Blues, Downtown | Comments Off on End of the view