Tag Archives: lapd

Teen Convicted in Bloody Killing of Girl, 12

June 27, 1943: The “Greatest Generation” isn’t getting enough “bulk.” Let’s rename Bunker Hill as Angels’ Terrace. Or not. The Courtemanche family lived in the old Sepulveda place at 751 N. Palos Verdes St., on a hill above the Wilmington-San … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Black Dahlia — L.A. Magazine Gets It Wrong

The Black Dahlia crime scene in Leimert Park gets a visit from Denise Hamilton for Los Angeles magazine. Los Angeles magazine does its “first-ever” crime issue. I’m curious about several statements (Did Harold Lloyd really cling to the “Italianate columns” … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail — Part 2 (Updated)

“Inspired by a True Story” is movie shorthand for “what you’re about to see is all b.s.” Much against my better judgment, I forced myself to watch “Gangster Squad” again when it came out on DVD and “on demand.” Not … Continue reading

Posted in 1949, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Was Coleman Harris From ‘Gangster Squad’ a Real Person?

Josh Brolin, left, as Sgt. John O’Mara with Anthony Mackie as Officer Coleman Harris in “Gangster Squad.” Drinking in uniform in a nightclub while on duty? I don’t think so. Now that “Gangster Squad” is out on DVD and available … Continue reading

Posted in 1949, African Americans, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Human Fly Flees Hall of Justice

April 4, 1943: Col. Darryl F. Zanuck comes under criticism for trying to return to civilian life. (Zanuck said there wasn’t much chance that he would make more movies of combat.) Sen. Harry Truman (D-Mo.) of the Senate War Program … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Broadway, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Immigration, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

LAPD Chief Wants More Police; Terrible Traffic – 1913

April 3, 1913: That is author L. Frank Baum and composer Louis F. Gottschalk, the team behind “The Tik-Tok Man of Oz,” which was a blockbuster in Los Angeles. The Times said it “is the reigning sensation of the local … Continue reading

Posted in 1913, Books and Authors, City Hall, LAPD, Stage, Streetcars, Theaters | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bearthina Is Missing

March 27, 1913: Mrs. C.H. Hampton, 139 S. Olive St., is a woman with a stretch of bad luck. First her husband died, and then in December the former Mrs. Schwartz married a man named Hampton who talked her into … Continue reading

Posted in 1913, LAPD, Olive | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

AFSCME Seeks to Organize LAPD

March 20, 1943: The AFSCME sets up a local for LAPD officers, an action opposed by Police Chief Clemence “C.B.” Horrall and Deputy Chief Joe Reed.  The Los Angeles Police Protective League, established in the 1920s, began bargaining on behalf … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, Film, Hollywood, Labor, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on AFSCME Seeks to Organize LAPD

LAPD in Standoff With Mad Gunman

The 900 block of South Francisco Street via Google Street View. March 19, 1913: F.C. Fredericks presents the LAPD with a difficult situation in the days before tear gas and swat teams (or indeed before negotiations by telephone). Fredericks was … Continue reading

Posted in 1913, Downtown, LAPD | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Black Dahlia: George Hodel Murder HQ Soil Tests Overdue – Week 5

And in case you have forgotten…. Let me remind you that Christine Pelisek wrote in the Daily Beast on Feb. 3, 2013, that test results on soil taken from the Sowden House (George “Evil Genius” Hodel’s purported murder HQ) would … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 37

March 27, 1950: All quiet. Good nite. And with that, the LAPD and the district attorney’s office ended their surveillance of the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. At least a few of you have read every … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 36

Sounded like Hodel said something about Black Dahlia!!!! March 25, 1950: Hodel says he wants money and power — talking about China — talking about selling some of Hodel’s paintings or something. Hodel talking about picture police have of him … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 35

March 24, 1950: Another day of typing, peeing and ringing phones at the purported Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. Only four days left! The George Hodel files Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 35

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 34

March 23, 1950: No, the police did not suddenly and inexplicably abandon the investigation. They ran away before they died of boredom. The George Hodel files Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 34

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 33

Conversation has now turned to corporations, stocks and bonds with Hodel doing very little talking!!!!!!! March 22, 1950: Even the police are bored. The good news is that we’re almost done. Only six more days! The George Hodel files Part … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 33

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 32

Hodel must have slept in another part of house. There were no snoring noises all morning!!!! Said I’m in trouble!!!!!!! March 21, 1950: Another day of tedium. The George Hodel files Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 32

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 31

Sounds like Hodel is trying to pull a fast one of some kind!!!!! Still playing Chinese music — music worse than Hodel’s music!!! March 20, 1950: Discussions of books and poetry!! Going to see Burrel Ives (Burl Ives) at UCLA!!! … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 30

Hodel again talking to Negro woman!!!!! March 19, 1950: Another day of…. well, certainly you know the drill by now. Today we have the addition of a vacuum cleaner!!! And if you think this is boring and tedious for you, … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 30

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 29

“Jesus Christ, Walsh — that’s what you spent your day doing?” –J.J. Gittes, “Chinatown” March 18, 1950:  Another day of ringing phones and snoring at the alleged Murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. The George Hodel files Part … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 29

Black Dahlia: The Non-Smoking Gun – George Hodel Files Part 28

Can hear some machine noises — sounds like an electric hand drill!!! March 17, 1950: Another day of ringing phones and snoring at the purported HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel. We have 11 days to go and then … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 1950, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Hollywood, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments