Another once-famous face, now forgotten.
Gary Martin recently wrote:
I am amused by the reader’s comment that this week’s mystery is “too easy” and I guess it is as all the usual suspects have written in with the correct cast and title.
Apparently I was out of town the week this film played: I do not know what it is nor have I ever seen any of these actors before …excepting a very young Jack Hawkins. (Friday, right.) I do suspect, however, that it is a British film.
And that makes it all the more amusing to me because growing up in Kansas during the mid fifties, when TV was a young medium, before there were Late Shows, we were fed a steady diet of British programers. Nope. I must have fallen asleep the night this played. …as I often did with programers. Ah well, Monday is another week.
I would like to remind everyone that from the beginning, my first criterion in selecting a mystery person or movie is that I didn’t know who or what it was. To pick a favorite example, I had never heard of Jack Mulhall until I randomly pulled his envelope out of the photo library several years ago. The same is true with today’s mystery lady (and yes, some of you may recognize her from before).
So to Gary, I would like to say: I couldn’t have identified this week’s movie, “Fallen Idol.” That’s why I picked it. The vast majority of movies (with a few exceptions like “Hillbilly Blitzkrieg” — ahem) I have never seen, which is why we will never have “Casablanca” or “Gone With the Wind” or “Citizen Kane” (well, maybe the back of Everett Sloan’s head).
I would fail every week — if that makes you feel any better.
Which means that I’m impressed every week with the knowledge of the Daily Mirror Brain Trust. You are amazing in your knowledge of film and I am proud to have you as readers.
Despite how it may seem, there is a philosophy behind the mystery photos — I have never seen them as a mere trivia contest. The photos have always been a reflection on the notion that fame is fleeting and once-famous faces are forgotten.
But I have been thinking: Don Danard wants more Westerns. Mary Mallory would like more silent films. And a recent technical malfunction with “Coney Island,” which yes, I had not seen, made me think about opening the mystery photos to guests who could submit pictures or frame grabs.
How about it, mystery photo fans? What would you like to see — or not see?
ladailymirror.com 
Hot little Betty Bronson. I can’t do frame captures, and I can only do individual photos of people, I wouldn’t have enough from one film for more than 1 or 2 days.
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no silent movies! Someof us are older But not that old! Can’t ID a movie you have never seen.
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Heck, I was not born in 1790–all wisecracks to the contrary–but I have read Jane Austen.
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Well, as a long-time follower of your “Mystery Photo” columns (both here and at the Times), I would say perhaps a little of both? It seems you get the most responses to this particular feature of your blog, so I would say many of us would welcome your expanding it a bit: Continue as you’re doing and perhaps open it up to submissions (at your discretion) by some of “The Brain Trust”. Or what would you think of allowing the first correct answerer to be allowed to submit an entry for the following week? That might add a little spirited-ness to the proceedings?
In any case, I don’t like other people telling a blogger how to run their blog….my thought is “Go start your own,” in most cases. I enjoy your blog tremendously “as is” and say a hearty “Keep up the great work, Larry!”
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Although I am not a daily follower of th Mystery Photos, I basically like what I see. No way can you please all your followers all the time. Your protocol for selection seems reasonable to me. It’s your game, roll the dice..
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I know a few of the silents….but not many. I enjoy mystery photos from almost any genre and date, but I am tiring of newsboy caps and the backs of famous heads. I like the puzzles where you start with lesser known supporting players …or some landmark or unique item that gives us a hint…and slowly reveal more info with screen shots of the better known players. But hey, that’s what you always do, so I guess this suggestion is moot !! But you did ask.
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As you might assume from my weekly participation I enjoy this blog tremendously and I find it challenging to work with two character actors and find the one film they made together, or, in the case of Charlie Winninger last week, to decide which of the five films he made in technicolor was likely the source of the still. The only way I can get bragging rights is to know one or two of the actors. It is a challenge to my love of research and, yes, a bit of a trivia quest compared to the research I am doing at present on deciphering cubism. My forte is films of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s as well as european films. I can struggle through a western, but silents are beyond my skills, although I know that to be Mary;s area of expertise. I don’t mind bowing graciously to the lady now and then …let’s just not make it a habit.(Smile)
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Betty Bronson–though someone else has already said that and is apparently wrong?
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No, it’s Betty. 🙂
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How about some famous old theater people? Once-huge stars of the 1880s-1940s, like the Drews and Barrymores, Maude Adams, Eddie Foy, Marilyn Miller, Julian Eltinge.
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Great idea… I did a lot of Julian Eltinge when the Daily Mirror was at The Times. Unfortunately, without access to The Times photos, I would be hard pressed to do mystery photos on stage people. It is a shame that the theater is such an ephemeral art compared to film.
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As the old song says, “Just Keep on Doing what your Doing”. (Wheeler and Woolsey, “Hip, Hips, Hooray” 1934. (And, it’s a great song!).
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You could use photos from ebay.
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Prscilla Bonner?
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Large idea! (line from Lana Turner LSD opus THE BIG CUBE)
Instead of endless parade of not readily identifiable neck napes, how about shots of significant–but not instantly recognizable–inserts of inanimate objects?
And, no, I am not suggesting closeup of smoldering cigarette in ashtray #2096. . .but something that might lead astute reader to answer.
But hey, you’re the boss, applesauce!
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As Don Danard says: keep doing what you’re doing. I was delighted to finally recognize a film this week, but I am nearly equally delighted when I don’t. The Mystery Photo is a great feature, and keeps me coming back regularly.
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