Movie star mystery photo

Posted on September 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

2008_0929_mystery_pix

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."

Mary_boland_1935_0731_crop

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.
Mary_boland_1946_1124_crop
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."

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
This entry was posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo. Bookmark the permalink.

8 Responses to Movie star mystery photo

  1. Stella says:
    September 29, 2008 at 9:47 am

    Theda Bara? something about her eyes in this picture reminded me of …

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  2. Sandy Harrison says:
    September 29, 2008 at 10:06 am

    Zasu Pitts?

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  4. verbwank says:
    September 29, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    Ann Sothern?

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  5. R Reedy says:
    September 29, 2008 at 1:58 pm

    Bette Davis??

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  6. Rinky Dink says:
    September 29, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    Lois Wilson?

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    Reply
  7. Anne says:
    September 30, 2008 at 1:52 am

    Clara Bow?

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  8. Arye Michael Bender says:
    October 1, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Her informal picture partner, Charlie Ruggles, was always great fun to watch.
    Another actor who was old when he was young, thus assuring a long career in which he never seemed to age.

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