All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Upon First Impression

    • May 9, 1988

    A general overview of the history of Los Angeles, from its inception to the present.

  • S01E02 Ramona: A Story of Passion and Protest

    • May 16, 1988

    Relates how Helen Hunt Jackson influenced American culture through her novel "Ramona", as well as the author's endeavor to facilitate equal rights for American Indians.

  • S01E03 Trouble in Angel City

    • May 23, 1988

    A look at the dark side of 1930s Los Angeles, as seen through the eyes of detective novelist Raymond Chandler. Features films clips of Humphrey Bogart and Dick Powell portraying Chandler's detective protagonist Philip Marlowe.

  • S01E04 Harris Newmark's L.A.

    • May 30, 1988

    Harris Newmark, a Jewish immigrant to Los Angeles, relates the history of the city during his sixty years as a resident: 1853-1913. Inspired by Newmark's autobiography "Sixty Years in Southern California".

Season 2

  • S02E01 Valor

    • October 5, 1989

    Al Ramirez, a four-time Bronze Star recipient, remembers the segregation of 1940s Los Angeles with help from his brothers-in-arms.

  • S02E02 Ode to Central Avenue

    • October 12, 1989

    Examines what caused the disappearance of the black community of Los Angeles, which thrived between the 1920s and '40s.

  • S02E03 The Big Orange

    • October 19, 1989

    An exploration of three generations of the Pankey Family, pioneering owners of the Tustin Orange Orchards.

  • S02E04 William Mulholland: The Dream Builder

    • October 26, 1989

    The life of William Mulholland, engineer behind the 233-mile Los Angeles Aqueduct.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Hollywood Strike

    • November 4, 1990

    The Hollywood power struggle between blue collar workers and studio moguls is examined through vintage newsreel footage, as well a Disney cartoon lampooning the situation.

  • S03E02 Sister Aimee

    • November 11, 1990

    Examines the life of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, featuring 1920s footage of McPherson preaching to her congregation at Angelus Temple.

  • S03E03 Chinatown: Between Two Worlds

    • November 18, 1990

    The history of Los Angeles' Chinatown districts as told by three men who helped construct them; racism against the city's Chinese population is also explored.

  • S03E04 Harbor Wars

    • November 25, 1990

    A look at the struggle for an appropriate location for Los Angeles Harbor.