Rosh Hashana, 1954

Los Angeles Times file photo

Rabbi Julian Feingold of University Synagogue of Brentwood sounds the shofar as Cantor Samuel G. Broude, Sigmund Lample and Sanford Barbas watch in a photo published Sept. 26, 1954. The girl in the photo was unidentified. Feingold, the synagogue's first full-time rabbi, retired in 1963, according to "The American Synagogue."

Movie revival -- '2001: A Space Odyssey'

Oct. 12, 2008, 6 p.m. The Edison downtown. Tickets $20.  Stanley Kubrick's film based on the script written with Arthur C. Clarke.

Wilt Chamberlain plays first Laker home game

Above, Twiggy begins a U.S. tour.

By Keith Thursby Times Staff Writer One game in L.A. and Wilt Chamberlain already felt like a hero in his new home. "I guess it is mainly because of my size and strength but to most basketball fans I have been mostly a villain," Chamberlain told The Times' Dan Hafner. "It would appear that things here in Los Angeles are going to be different." Chamberlain led the Lakers to a 117-95 victory over the San Francisco Warriors at the Forum. It was only an exhibition, but the early reviews were very positive. "The fans really enjoyed watching the big man," Hafner wrote. "They cheered wildly when he made a free throw. But they received their biggest kick when Chamberlain grabbed a rebound and started dribbling up court." Wilt would average 21 rebounds and 20.5 points per game during the regular season, which on the powerful Lakers would make him only the third scorer behind Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Hafner made an interesting point in his game story: "Instant hero worship is a malady native to Los Angeles sports fans. For many years in just about every sport L.A. fans have had their heroes and they have been treated in the manner of kings."  Manny Ramirez, meet Wilt Chamberlain. Hafner predicted stardom for another Laker, former USC standout Bill Hewitt. "He has the moves of Baylor and combines quickness and jumping ability, two essentials for a pro star," Hafner wrote. Hewitt averaged only 7.2 points a game in 1968-69 and the next year was traded to Detroit for forward Happy Hairston, who became a starter on the Lakers' 1971-72 championship team. keith.thursby@latimes.com

Hitler, Chamberlain promise peace, October 1, 1938

Poland demands share of Czechoslovakia More than 1 million Polish troops are poised to invade. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain gives the British the Munich agreement and his pledge with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler that Britain and Germany "never will go to war with one another again."

Reginald Owen replaces Lionel Barrymore in MGM's "A Christmas Carol."

Ronald Colman marries Neville Chamberlain and the Munich agreement have become such an enduring symbol of the folly of appeasement that it may be a shock to realize how much it was celebrated at the time. In fact, a United Press dispatch from London reports crowds rejoicing in the streets at the news that war had been averted. "Scenes in the streets were reminiscent of the November night in 1918 when word came of the armistice. Chamberlain was hailed as a liberator." In Los Angeles, Mayor Fletcher Bowron orders an investigation of an alleged police protection racket. Map of Czech territory At left, Nazis occupy the Sudetenland ... Rome welcomes Benito Mussolini as a peacemaker ... President Roosevelt says the war crisis in Europe is over ... And in Prague, crowds bitterly denounce the surrender of Czechoslovakia to Germany. In Los Angeles, the German consul, Dr. Georg Gyssling, blames the Czechs for the crisis, saying the country persecuted the German minority. Police officers transferred Cubs tie with Cards, 7-7

Rosh Hashana, 1951

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times

Rosh Hashana preparations in Pasadena, September 1951. The Times reported a novel approach to holiday celebrations all under roof: Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and youth services. Louis B. Silver, left, was to conduct the Orthodox services while Rabbi Max Vorspan, center, conducted other observances. Charles Price, at right, was to conduct youth services. Musical direction was under Mrs. Norman Hassler, a Christian who had served the Jewish community for 27 years, The Times' Herb Brin said. "In many ways, what we are doing here is analogous to the community church idea. It is important that we are Jewish," Vorspan said. "Our job is to satisfy the essential needs of all Jews without breaking the essential unity of the faith. "It is an indication of a growing feeling on the part of Jews and Christians that the elements which have been dividing us are not nearly as important as the many bonds which should be uniting us."

Movie revival -- The Tingler

Coming soon to a theater near you...

Above, "The Tingler," 1959.

Oct. 31, 2008, 8 p.m. Silent Movie Theatre. Tickets $12.

 

Movie star mystery photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Our actress had a long career on Broadway and appeared in silent and sound films as well as on television. She is listed in imdb (more than 50 credits) and Wikipedia. Update: We have the correct answer from Gregory Moore Greg Clancey (congratulations!) but because he guessed so quickly, I'm going to wait until tomorrow to post the answer in case anyone else recognizes her. Update 2: Ack! I went too fast. Gregory Moore guessed right. Gleg Clancey, alas, was wrong (but a good guess). Forgive my confusion over two Gregs, whom I was e-mailing at the same time! Our mystery actress is Mary Boland, who appeared in "The Women," among many other films. How did Moore recognize her? He explains: "We're both from Detroit."

Los Angeles Times file photo Here's a photo from 1935, when Boland was sued for $150,000 ($2.2 million USD 2007) on rather curious charges. Elizabeth Kummer, the wife of Boland's nephew, George Kummer, filed a lawsuit accusing Boland of alienation of affections. Boland called the charges ridiculous.  The Times never reported the outcome of the litigation. Los Angeles Times file photo Here's Boland with Charlie Ruggles, her frequent film partner at Paramount, in a 1948 production of the play "One Fine Day." According to imdb, they appeared together in 14 films, including "The Big Broadcast of 1936," "Ruggles of Red Gap" and "Boy Trouble." The Internet Broadway Database lists her stage appearances, including "Hellzapoppin."

Rams win against Cleveland, September 30, 1968

Above, Alabama Gov. George Wallace plans a TV appearance for his presidential campaign.

By Keith Thursby Times Staff Writer The Rams moved to 2-0 with a 24-6 victory at Cleveland. The Rams broke open the game in the fourth quarter and the Browns couldn't do anything on offense. Players of the game: The Ram defense. A headline in The Times put it this way: "Rams' Defense So Good It Makes Game Dull." Paragraph of the game: From The Times' Mal Florence: "Although the Ram offense didn't turn killer until late in the game, it had gratifying moments." Quote of the game: "I think it's very exciting. The crowd is large and the halftime show was excellent. I just went out for two hot dogs and best of all, today they were hot," said Cleveland owner Art Modell, asked if the game had been the dullest afternoon he had spent in football. keith.thursby@latimes.com

Victory for Hitler, September 30, 1938

Agreement hands Czech territory to Nazis Britain, France, Germany and Italy sign a compromise that is given to Czechoslovakia. If the nation refuses to accept being partitioned, it would stand alone against a German invasion.

Cary Grant is reading the script for "Dodge City" as a replacement for Errol Flynn in a cast that includes Olivia de Havilland and Victor Jory.

Munich conference Czech leaders turn to President Roosevelt in hopes of avoiding the dismemberment of their country. "From the man in the street to the highest political personalities of the nation, everyone is depressed and downcast," United Press reports. In Los Angeles, Mayor Fletcher Bowron moves to overhaul the Civil Service Commission and banishes the Los Angeles Police Department Vice Squad, which had been operating out of the mayor's office under Frank Shaw ... A tornado kills at least 26 people in Charleston, S.C., and injures several hundred ...  Text of agreement At left, an analysis by Pulitzer Prize winner Frederick T. Birchall of the New York Times says that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler got everything he wanted in the Munich conference. His only concession was to accept a longer timetable... All of Germany celebrates Hitler's diplomatic victory. The nation finds a new faith in Hitler's "political finesse," United Press reports.  Below, Pacifist Bertrand Russell says that war in Europe is inevitable. Londoners pray for peace Pope gives radio talk 61 held in vice raids Cubs over Pirates, 10-1

Rosh Hashana, 1948

Photograph by Ray Graham / Los Angeles Times

Rosh Hashana at the Jewish Home for the Aged, 325 S. Boyle Ave., in a photo taken in advance, Sept. 29, 1948.  (In 1948, Rosh Hashana began Oct. 3). From left, Abraham Anis, Zelig Meyerson, Baruch Solomon, Joseph Flasterstein, Benjamin Gorelik and Samuel Rosen. Below, Boyle Avenue via Google maps' street view.

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