Tag Archives: #Chinatown

St. Francis Dam Under Construction

Posted on August 15, 2020 by lmharnisch

This is a clip from “The Temptress” (1926) showing the St. Francis dam under construction. The dam failed in 1928, and the flood left hundreds of people dead or missing. The incident is referred to in “Chinatown” (1974) as the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1926, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

June 18, 1947: Actor Jon Hall Says Tale of Being Shot Down in Plane Was a Hoax

Posted on June 18, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. The day before, The Times reported a curious incident in which a bullet tore into the propeller of the plane shortly after it took off for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Aviation, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Chinatown’ and That Nose-Slitting Scene

Posted on June 21, 2014 by lmharnisch

One of the most famous scenes in “Chinatown,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, occurs when Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) has his nose slit by director Roman Polanski. What many people don’t realize is that something like this actually occurred … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, 1974, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Union Station Opens in Los Angeles, May 1939

Posted on May 1, 2014 by lmharnisch

June 29, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo, by artist Charles Owens and writer Joe Seewerker,  depicts the construction of Union Station. Here are some posts that I wrote years ago, including several when Union Station turned 70. — Grand Design for Los … Continue reading →

Posted in 1939, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hollis Mulwray House – Update

Posted on September 25, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here’s an update on renovations at the Hollis Mulwray house from “Chinatown.” The last time I posted a photo it looked like this.

Posted in 1974, Architecture, Film, Hollywood, Preservation | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Rediscovering Los Angeles – Ferguson Alley

Posted on September 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

Nov. 11, 1935: For their second installment of “Rediscovering Los Angeles,” Times artist Charles Owens and Times columnist Timothy Turner visit Ferguson Alley, which as Turner notes was going to be demolished for Union Station. Turner writes: Ferguson Alley, which … Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Art & Artists, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo, Preservation, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Snake Killer Dies on Gallows

Posted on May 2, 2012 by lmharnisch

May 2, 1942: Major Raymond Lisenba, better known as Robert S. “Rattlesnake” James, becomes the 214th and last person to be executed by hanging in California. James was hanged because the murder of his wife occurred in 1935, before the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Comics, Crime and Courts, Homicide, World War II | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Hollis Mulwray House – Update

Posted on February 29, 2012 by lmharnisch

Back in July, I posted a photo showing renovations on the house at 1315 S. El Molino that was used in “Chinatown.” Here’s how it looks today.

Posted in Architecture, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Chinatown Wishing Well

Posted on October 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

This image of a wishing well on Broadway in Chinatown built by professor Henry K. Liu has been listed on EBay. If you have looked at Charles Owens and Joe Seewerker’s “Nuestro Pueblo,” (which you really should) you might recall … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Found on EBay, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Found on EBay – China City

Posted on October 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photo: Main and Cesar Chavez via Google’s Street View. The photo postcard  of China City, stamped 1941, has been listed on EBay. Notice the sign says that China City is at Main and Macy, which became Cesar Chavez  Avenue in … Continue reading →

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July 15, 1908

Posted on July 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

ere’s an update on the story of Joseph H.N. Longy, who was arrested on charges of sending threatening letters to local businessmen. The Times gives an elaborate description of his "oil gun" and a primitive hand grenade that was found … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Downtown, Freeways, Front Pages, Science, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on July 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

Below, the 900 block of Yale Street via Google maps’ street view feature. Do you think they know there were oil wells there 70 years ago?

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

June 9, 1938

Posted on June 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Special prosecutor Joseph Fainer, left, Deputy Paul Casey and George Sakalis, a key witness in the trial of Police Capt. Earle Kynette in the Harry Raymond bombing. Because of the attempts to intimidate Sakalis … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Downtown, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jan. 30, 1908

Posted on January 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

Tumult in the city of Vernon … Chinatown gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year … A question of insanity in a murder trial … The Jonathan Club, California Club and nearly 100 social organizations must get licenses or stop … Continue reading →

Posted in @news | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

City Hall

Posted on January 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

Speaking of City Hall, here’s a frame grab from "Chinatown," with the fabulous cinematography of John Alonzo. I was quite fortunate to hear him discuss the making of "Chinatown" at a presentation many years ago. If you live in Los … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment