Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on April 3, 2009 by lmharnisch



2009_0330_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on
Monday and reveal the answer on Friday. To keep the mystery photo from
getting lost in the other entries, I move it from Monday to Tuesday to
Wednesday, etc., adding a photo every day.

I have to approve
all comments, so if your guess is posted immediately, that means you're
wrong. (And if a wrong guess has already been submitted by someone
else, there's no point in submitting it again). If you're right, you
will have to wait until Friday. There's no need to submit your guess
five times. Once is enough. The only prize is bragging rights. 

Update: This is Sheila Ryan in a photo dated Dec. 29, 1941.

The answer to last week's photo: Sharon Lynn

Check back Monday for another mystery photo!

2009_0331_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Here's another photo of our mystery woman and a mystery companion. Please congratulate Eve Golden's "co-worker Mel" for recognizing her first. Also congratulate Anne Papineau, Dewey Webb, Nick Santa Maria, Jeff Hanna, "bjth" Don Danard and Gerald McCann!

Update: Our mystery fellow is Tony De Marco in an August 1943 photo.

2009_0401_mystery_photo

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times

Here's another clue! Please congratulate William Weathersby, Dave and Jeff for correctly identifying her. And hats off to Dewey Webb for identifying her mystery companion!

Sheila Ryan, 23, seeking a divorce from cowboy actor Allan Lane, Feb. 22, 1946.

2009_0402_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Here's another photo of our mystery woman. Please congratulate Annie Frye and R. Ahuna for correctly identifying her. Check back tomorrow when we reveal the name of our mystery movie star!

Update: Sheila Ryan in a still from "Getting Gertie's Garter."

2009_0403_mystery_woman

Los Angeles Times file photo

This is is Sheila Ryan, who was married to western star Pat Buttram. Isn't this a great photo? When I got it out of the archives I found The Times art department had butchered it down to a one-column mug shot. Here is it, stripped of all the white goop we used to put on pictures. 

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

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

85 Responses to Movie Star Mystery Photo

  1. Eve's avatar Eve says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:07 am

    OK, I admit, I was stumped again (curse you!). But my coworker Mel says he thinks it’s Sheila Ryan, and I think he;s right–bone structure looks right, from, my “Old Movie CSI” skills.

    Like

  2. Anne Papineau's avatar Anne Papineau says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:20 am

    Sheila Ryan!

    Like

  3. Dru Duniway's avatar Dru Duniway says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Debra Paget

    Like

  5. Eliza Fox's avatar Eliza Fox says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:27 am

    A young Shelley Winters?

    Like

  6. Nick Santa Maria's avatar Nick Santa Maria says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:28 am

    SHEILA RYAN?

    Like

  7. michaelryerson's avatar michaelryerson says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Looks like a very young Barbara Hale before she took up shorthand.

    Like

  8. Grant Lockhart's avatar Grant Lockhart says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Jean Willes

    Like

  9. Victor H Brown, across the pond in England.'s avatar Victor H Brown, across the pond in England. says:
    March 30, 2009 at 11:53 am

    She looks like so many starlets of the 40’s and 50’s but how about Lynne Baggett?

    Like

  10. Gary Martin's avatar Gary Martin says:
    March 30, 2009 at 11:54 am

    Looks like Gale Roibbins to me.

    Like

  11. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:
    March 30, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Rhonda Fleming.

    Like

  12. annie frye's avatar annie frye says:
    March 30, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    Is it Mara Corday?

    Like

  13. TonyJ's avatar TonyJ says:
    March 30, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Interesting how the mind works. I was clueless until I read the guess ‘Shelley Winters’, looked again and thought Nanette Fabray. I am just not quite sure I have ever seen her smile without flashing some teeth.

    Like

  14. Jim Rogers, Regina, Sask.'s avatar Jim Rogers, Regina, Sask. says:
    March 30, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Originally I thought it was Corinne Calvet, but my guess is Barbara Lawrence with dark hair.

    Like

  15. Rusty Waldrop's avatar Rusty Waldrop says:
    March 30, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    lana turner

    Like

  16. Kathy Hinckley's avatar Kathy Hinckley says:
    March 30, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Gail Patrick?

    Like

  17. rusty Waldrop's avatar rusty Waldrop says:
    March 30, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Maureen O’Sullivan

    Like

  18. TKas's avatar TKas says:
    March 30, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    Maurine O’Hara

    Like

  19. Jeff Hanna's avatar Jeff Hanna says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    Sheilah Ryan

    Like

  20. C W's avatar C W says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Ann Sheridan

    Like

  21. Craig W.'s avatar Craig W. says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    How about Jane Russell

    Like

  22. John's avatar John says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Lucille Bremer.

    Like

  23. John's avatar John says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Doris Day.

    Like

  24. larryvelez's avatar larryvelez says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    looks like barbara stanwick .

    Like

  25. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:
    March 30, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    Gale Storm, a name that only a publicity department could have cooked up.

    Like

  26. Jim Newbury's avatar Jim Newbury says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    Kathryn Hepburn

    Like

  27. Lester Stark's avatar Lester Stark says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:35 pm

    Ruth Warrick

    Like

  28. Lester Stark's avatar Lester Stark says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    Ruth Warrick

    Like

  29. Lester Stark's avatar Lester Stark says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Ruth Warrick

    Like

  30. Matthew Peerce's avatar Matthew Peerce says:
    March 30, 2009 at 10:49 pm

    Maybe, Rhonda Fleming?

    Like

  31. Dee Santos's avatar Dee Santos says:
    March 31, 2009 at 1:48 am

    Gene Tierney?

    Like

  33. Emmanuel J's avatar Emmanuel J says:
    March 31, 2009 at 3:28 am

    From France, i say Gene Tierney… ?

    Like

  34. Joe Goodwin's avatar Joe Goodwin says:
    March 31, 2009 at 3:50 am

    Maureen O’Hara, I think!!

    Like

  35. Joe Goodwin's avatar Joe Goodwin says:
    March 31, 2009 at 3:51 am

    Maureen O’Hara, I think!!

    Like

  36. Angie Ralston's avatar Angie Ralston says:
    March 31, 2009 at 4:18 am

    Jeanne Crain

    Like

  37. Takahasi Saitama Japan's avatar Takahasi Saitama Japan says:
    March 31, 2009 at 5:04 am

    look like Virginia Mayo

    Like

  38. bjth's avatar bjth says:
    March 31, 2009 at 5:54 am

    Sheila Ryan

    Like

  39. Sheila's avatar Sheila says:
    March 31, 2009 at 6:03 am

    Barbara Hale?

    Like

  40. Barbara's avatar Barbara says:
    March 31, 2009 at 6:24 am

    Could be Rhonda Fleming?

    Like

  41. kathleen burkett's avatar kathleen burkett says:
    March 31, 2009 at 7:02 am

    I am thinking Maureen O’Hara

    Like

  42. Cynthia's avatar Cynthia says:
    March 31, 2009 at 7:03 am

    Linda Darnell

    Like

  43. Carrie's avatar Carrie says:
    March 31, 2009 at 7:11 am

    Those jowls? Ruth Warrick.

    Like

  44. kathleen burkett's avatar kathleen burkett says:
    March 31, 2009 at 7:18 am

    Nanette Fabray

    Like

  45. Andrew's avatar Andrew says:
    March 31, 2009 at 7:23 am

    I also think she is Doris Day.

    Like

  46. gerald mccann's avatar gerald mccann says:
    March 31, 2009 at 8:30 am

    Sheila Ryan

    Like

  47. gerald mccann's avatar gerald mccann says:
    March 31, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Sheila Ryan

    Like

  48. Elizabeth Berger's avatar Elizabeth Berger says:
    March 31, 2009 at 9:01 am

    I think its Judy Garland.

    Like

  49. Dewey Webb's avatar Dewey Webb says:
    March 31, 2009 at 9:09 am

    Is the guy Tony DeMarco?

    Like

  50. debbie's avatar debbie says:
    March 31, 2009 at 9:39 am

    a young barara hale

    Like

  51. debbie's avatar debbie says:
    March 31, 2009 at 9:39 am

    a young barara hale

    Like

  52. johndchiampi's avatar johndchiampi says:
    March 31, 2009 at 9:58 am

    one of the flaming war pinups-joan bennett

    Like

  53. William Weathersby's avatar William Weathersby says:
    March 31, 2009 at 10:15 am

    I believe this beautiful lady to be SHEILA RYAN, actress and wife of Pat Buttram.

    Like

  54. william's avatar william says:
    March 31, 2009 at 10:31 am

    allyn ann McLerie

    Like

  55. Vita Rosenthal's avatar Vita Rosenthal says:
    March 31, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Norma Shearer!

    Like

  56. Kim Cooper's avatar Kim Cooper says:
    March 31, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Linda Darnell?

    Like

  57. mary mckay's avatar mary mckay says:
    March 31, 2009 at 11:10 am

    ginger rogers?

    Like

  58. mary mckay's avatar mary mckay says:
    March 31, 2009 at 11:11 am

    giner rogers ???

    Like

  59. mary mckay's avatar mary mckay says:
    March 31, 2009 at 11:12 am

    opps* ginger rogers??

    Like

  60. January_Gal's avatar January_Gal says:
    March 31, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Irene Dunne

    Like

  61. ROY-MICHEL BOLDUC's avatar ROY-MICHEL BOLDUC says:
    March 31, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    LINDA DARNELL

    Like

  62. jgaskins's avatar jgaskins says:
    March 31, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    maureen o sullivan

    Like

  63. MM's avatar MM says:
    March 31, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    Deanna Durbin

    Like

  64. Beverly O'Neill's avatar Beverly O'Neill says:
    March 31, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    Is it Ann Sheridan?

    Like

  65. Chad's avatar Chad says:
    March 31, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Bea Arthur!

    Like

  66. Dave's avatar Dave says:
    March 31, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    That would be SHEILA RYAN
    She was in Buck Privates with Abbott and Costello, and A Haunting We Will Go with Laurel and Hardy. Sheila was married for about twenty years, to Autry sidekick, Pat Buttram!

    Like

  67. Gregory Moore's avatar Gregory Moore says:
    March 31, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    Marjorie Lord?

    Like

  68. Dennis Aimino's avatar Dennis Aimino says:
    March 31, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Looks like Grace Hartman.

    Like

  69. Jervis Hill's avatar Jervis Hill says:
    March 31, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    Irene and Vernon Castle

    Like

  70. herb nichols's avatar herb nichols says:
    March 31, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    looks a lot like the girl in the movie i am watching on tmccalled the invasion of the body snatchers. jean willes

    Like

  71. william's avatar william says:
    March 31, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Eleanor Powell

    Like

  72. Floradora's avatar Floradora says:
    March 31, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    Ann Blyth

    Like

  73. Mark's avatar Mark says:
    April 1, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Well, this one is a toughie that’s for sure, but it’s Gertie Grolneck. Her career was short-lived — her greatest role being the 6th girl from the top of Busby Berkeley’s giant spiral staircase production of A Pretty Girl Is Just Like a Melody. She refused to change her name out of fierce loyalty to “Daddy” and soon thereafter ended up living on the top floor of a 6th Floor walkup in Boyle Heights where she spent the remainder of her gin-soaked days. Oddly, those 6 flights of stairs were a constant reminder to her of her famous role…. Yeh, I’m sure. Gertie Grolneck.

    Like

  74. Jeff's avatar Jeff says:
    April 1, 2009 at 8:15 am

    Sheila Ryan.

    Like

  75. Alice's avatar Alice says:
    April 1, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Ann Baxter

    Like

  76. Sonny King's avatar Sonny King says:
    April 1, 2009 at 11:13 am

    vera ralston

    Like

  77. annie frye's avatar annie frye says:
    April 1, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    I think it’s Sheila Ryan

    Like

  78. Danielle's avatar Danielle says:
    April 1, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Gloria Swanson

    Like

  79. Eileen's avatar Eileen says:
    April 1, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    Angela Lansbury

    Like

  80. Rahuna's avatar Rahuna says:
    April 1, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    Sheila Ryan. I think her dancing partner is Phil Baker.

    Like

  81. Victor H.Brown across the pond in England.'s avatar Victor H.Brown across the pond in England. says:
    April 2, 2009 at 12:16 am

    This lady appears to be the mistress of disguise as she appears to be a completely different person in each photograph so I’ll take a wild guess at Donna Martell, even though she’s not wearing a cowgirl outfit.

    Like

  82. Eve's avatar Eve says:
    April 2, 2009 at 9:06 am

    I can’t really take credit for ID’ing her. I was flummoxed, and called over Mel: “Whodat?” He knew right away.
    I hope next week;s is easier, I’ve been feeling dumber and dumber by the week!

    Like

  83. Joan Y. Compagno's avatar Joan Y. Compagno says:
    April 2, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    Rochelle Hudson?

    Like

  84. keith's avatar keith says:
    April 3, 2009 at 9:01 am

    she was married to Pat Buttram, of Green Acres fame? Gene Autry’s sidekick? Wow.

    Like

  85. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:
    April 3, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    The very idea of Pat Buttram married so someone who looks like Bette Midler really stretches my brain. It tickles.

    Like

Comments are closed.