Movie Star Mystery Photo


      Feb. 8, 2010, Mystery Photo
Los Angeles Times file photo

 
Update: Virtually everyone recognized our mystery guest as Louise Beavers.

Oct. 27, 1962, Louise Beavers

Oct. 27, 1962: Louise Beavers dies at the age of 60.

Nov. 2, 1962, Louise Beavers

 
Nov. 2, 1962: Services for Louise Beavers include her favorite gospel song, “City Called Heaven,” and her favorite Scripture, Psalm 91

Nov. 26, 1974, Louise Beavers
After her death, Beavers was the subject of several articles in The Times examining the portrayal of African Americans in movies, including this Nov. 26, 1974, piece by J.K. Obatala. In 1976, Beavers was posthumously inducted into the Black Film-Makers Hall of Fame in Oakland.

Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the answer on Friday … or on Saturday if I have a hard time picking only five pictures; sometimes it's difficult to choose. 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 reward is bragging rights. 

The answer to last week's mystery star: Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields.

Feb. 9, 2010, Mystery Photo  Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: The caption information on the back of the photo, stamped Oct. 15, 1950, says, “Unimpressed by the celebrated glamour of his opponent, many Hollywood celebrities are working energetically to elect Rep. Richard Nixon to the United States Senate. Here are a trio who have teamed up to work in the Nixon-for-Senator campaign: Irene Dunne, Louise Beavers and Hedda Hopper.”

Wow! Nearly everybody identified our mystery guest, too many folks to list everybody’s name. Here’s another picture of our mystery guest with two (not very) mysterious companions. Aren't the hats great?

Feb. 10, 2010, Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Louise Beavers and Postmaster Mary D. Briggs in an undated photo.

Daily Mirror readers are certainly sharp! Everybody recognized yesterday’s (not very) mysterious companions. Today’s mystery companion may be a little more difficult. 

Feb. 11, 2010, Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Louise Beavers, Ann Sheridan and an unidentified actor (suggestions include Clinton Sundberg and Dick Ross) in “Good Sam,” Sept. 15, 1948.

And here’s our mystery guest with two more mysterious companions.  So far nobody has identified yesterday’s mystery companion – but she’s tough.

Feb. 12, 2010, Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Louise Beavers in “Beulah,” with Jane Frazee, left, David Bruce, center, and Stuffy Singer.

 
Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

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

76 Responses to Movie Star Mystery Photo

  1. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Juanita Moore?

    Like

  2. Carmen's avatar Carmen says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  3. Eve's avatar Eve says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  4. Anne Papineau's avatar Anne Papineau says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  5. Dewey Webb's avatar Dewey Webb says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  6. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:

    Harkening back to those days when African-Americans on American screens were sadly relegated to subservient roles, Louise Beavers played ‘Beulah ‘ on TV.
    Actors had to work. But so much great talent was wasted.

    Like

  7. Lee Ann Bailey's avatar Lee Ann Bailey says:

    Is it Louise Beavers?

    Like

  8. Jenny M's avatar Jenny M says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  9. Pamela Porter's avatar Pamela Porter says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  10. Periwinkle's avatar Periwinkle says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  11. Claire Lockhart's avatar Claire Lockhart says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  12. Carol Gwenn's avatar Carol Gwenn says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  13. margie's avatar margie says:

    louise beavers

    Like

  14. Elsie's avatar Elsie says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  15. Nick Santa Maria's avatar Nick Santa Maria says:

    Louise Beavers.

    Like

  16. Greg Clancey's avatar Greg Clancey says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  17. Barry O'Brien's avatar Barry O'Brien says:

    Louise Beavers, who starred in Beulah, an early ABC tv program

    Like

  18. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Louise Beavers.

    Like

  19. Mike Hawks's avatar Mike Hawks says:

    The lady is Louise Beavers.

    Like

  20. Kevin Kusinitz's avatar Kevin Kusinitz says:

    Louise Beavers.

    Like

  21. MichaelRyerson's avatar MichaelRyerson says:

    This is the charming, sweethearted Louise Beavers.

    Like

  22. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    Finally! One I know! Louise Beavers!!
    Go Mr. Blandings!!

    Like

  23. Barbara Klein's avatar Barbara Klein says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  24. LC's avatar LC says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  25. Wilson Smith's avatar Wilson Smith says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  26. Richard Heft's avatar Richard Heft says:

    Louise Beavers, possibly in a still from IMITATION OF LIFE.

    Like

  27. Grant Lockhart's avatar Grant Lockhart says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  28. Kristin's avatar Kristin says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  29. Cinnamon Carter's avatar Cinnamon Carter says:

    This looks like Louise Beavers.

    Like

  30. la pergrina's avatar la pergrina says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  31. Caroline S.'s avatar Caroline S. says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  32. waldo lydecker's avatar waldo lydecker says:

    It’s that wonderful character actress, Louise Beavers. She makes Cary Grant’s day in, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, by coming up with the advertising line, ” If you ain’t eatin’ Wham, you ain’t eatin’ ham!’

    Like

  33. Cold in PHX's avatar Cold in PHX says:

    I think this is Louise Beavers, one of TV’s Beulahs and the maid on the Danny Thomas Show.

    Like

  34. Rick Scott's avatar Rick Scott says:

    Louise Beavers. More pensive than normal.

    Like

  35. Hattie McDaniel, isn’t it?

    Like

  36. Rinky Dink's avatar Rinky Dink says:

    Hattie McDaniel?

    Like

  37. Stacia's avatar Stacia says:

    That had better be Louise Beavers. If not, then I give up on these mystery photos!

    Like

  38. Carmen's avatar Carmen says:

    Ladies with Louise are Irene Dunne and Hedda Hopper!

    Like

  39. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Hedda Hopper was known as the queen of hats. Not the best dress for Louise to wear.

    Like

  40. Claire Lockhart's avatar Claire Lockhart says:

    Irene Dune, Louise Beavers and Hedda Hopper. (Larry – any info. on the back of the photo? Where was it taken? Thanks!!!)

    Like

  41. Julie Merholz's avatar Julie Merholz says:

    Louise Beavers
    Greer Garson
    Hedda Hopper

    Like

  42. jane Ellen WAyne's avatar jane Ellen WAyne says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  43. benito's avatar benito says:

    Louise Beavers. Cable has been showing Imitation of Life [1934] a lot lately. Her character’s daughter Fredi Washington was just as good in the movie, but is not as well known.

    Like

  44. RJ Marzulla's avatar RJ Marzulla says:

    Louise Beavers

    Like

  45. Rinky Dink's avatar Rinky Dink says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  46. Dru Duniway's avatar Dru Duniway says:

    Louise Beavers
    Irene Dunne
    Hedda Hopper

    Like

  47. Brent Walker's avatar Brent Walker says:

    Louise Beavers (and Irene Dunne and Hedda Hopper in the one shot).

    Like

  48. Suzy Q's avatar Suzy Q says:

    Louise Beavers. I only just had a chance to look at the photos.

    Like

  49. Steve Stoliar's avatar Steve Stoliar says:

    Louise Beavers.

    Like

  50. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    Ha! I know these too!! Irene Dunne on the left, Hedda Hopper on the right and Louise Beavers right in the center!!

    Like

  51. Lee Rivas's avatar Lee Rivas says:

    Louise Beavers? “Imitation of Life” 1934

    Like

  52. virginia jauregui's avatar virginia jauregui says:

    It’s Louise Beavers…btw, hated that version of Imitation of Life, it was TERRIBLE…

    Like

  53. Mandy's avatar Mandy says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  54. Sam Flowers's avatar Sam Flowers says:

    Louise Beavers..

    Like

  55. Rick Scott's avatar Rick Scott says:

    Mystery companions: Irene Dunne and Hedda Hopper

    Like

  56. Eric Cooper's avatar Eric Cooper says:

    Louise Beavers?

    Like

  57. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    Sure looks like Helen Keller to me!

    Like

  58. Carmen's avatar Carmen says:

    A longshot – Mystery companion is Alice Roosevelt Longworth

    Like

  59. rechercher's avatar rechercher says:

    Louise Beavers, who was in “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House”?

    Like

  60. grant lockhart's avatar grant lockhart says:

    Is the mystery companion Marian Anderson?

    Like

  61. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Zora Neale Hurston?

    Like

  62. January_Gal's avatar January_Gal says:

    Wednesday’s mystery companion looks like Eleanor Roosevelt.

    Like

  63. Dewey Webb's avatar Dewey Webb says:

    Clinton Sundberg & Ann Sheridan (Good Sam)

    Like

  64. Dewey Webb's avatar Dewey Webb says:

    Wednesday mystery companion: Lillian Gilbreth

    Like

  65. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Yesterday’s mystery companion is Marian Anderson, who had the support of Eleanor Roosevelt to sing at the Lincoln Memorial.

    Like

  66. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Is that Jessie white with Louise? If so, is this still from THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW, or her own show, BEULAH?

    Like

  67. herb nichols's avatar herb nichols says:

    clinton sundberg, louise beavers, and ann sheridan in the movie good sam

    Like

  68. Dru Duniway's avatar Dru Duniway says:

    Clinton Sundberg
    Louise Beavers
    Ann Sheridan

    Like

  69. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Is yesterday’s guest Mary Church Terrell?

    Like

  70. margie's avatar margie says:

    louise beavers, ann sheridan, clinton sundberg for Thursday

    Like

  71. Mike Hawks's avatar Mike Hawks says:

    The companions from Tuesday are Irene Dunne and Hedda Hopper, the lady on the right for Thursday is Ann Sheridan.

    Like

  72. MichaelRyerson's avatar MichaelRyerson says:

    I would say Louise is here appearing with Ann Sheridan and Dick Ross in a scene from Good Sam (1948).

    Like

  73. Sandy's avatar Sandy says:

    Louise Beaver & Alice Roosevelt

    Like

  74. Rick Scott's avatar Rick Scott says:

    Today’s lady is Ann Sheridan, but with the marker can’t make out the guy, though it resembles Dick Foran.

    Like

  75. Don's avatar Don says:

    She looks like Louise Beavers.

    Like

Comments are closed.