This week’s mystery movie was the 1943 MGM film “Du Barry Was a Lady,” with Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Virginia O’Brien, “Rags” Ragland, Zero Mostel, Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, Donald Meek, Douglass Dumbrille, George Givot and Louise Beavers. Produced by Arthur Freed. Directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Screenplay by Irving Brecher, adaptation by Nancy Hamilton, additional dialogue by Wilkie Mahoney, based on the play produced by B.G. DeSylva and written by Herbert Fields and B.G. DeSylva with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, words and music by Cole Porter, additional songs by Lew Brown, Ralph Freed, Burton Lane, Roger Edens, E.Y. Harburg, musical adaptation by Roger Edens, musical direction by Georgie Stoll, orchestration by George Bassman, Leo Arnaud, Alec Stordahl and Sy Oliver, musical presentation by Merrill Pye, dance direction by Charles Walters. Photographed in Technicolor, director of photography Karl Freund, Technicolor color director Natalie Kalmus, associate Henri Jaffa, recording director Douglas Shearer, art director Cedric Gibbons, set decorations by Edwin B. Willis, associate Henry Grace, costume supervision by Irene, associate Shoup, men’s costumes by Gile Steele, makeup by Jack Dawn, special effects by Warren Newcombe, film editor Blanche Sewell,
“Du Barry Was a Lady” is available on DVD from Amazon.
Writing in the New York Times (Aug. 30, 1943), Bosley Crowther was uncharacteristically effusive in his praise:
With a good bit of soap and water applied to the necessary spots and then with a job of refinishing so that the whole thing shines like new, Metro has made a film version of “Du Barry Was a Lady,” the musical show, which it set down yesterday at the Capitol for the delight of the multitudes. And, take it from us, that’s the purpose which it is certain to fulfill, for Metro has given it the luster of a million dollars in gold.
Was “Singin’ in the Rain” making an in joke about “Du Barry Was a Lady” when Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) comes up with the idea of the leading man getting hit in the head and fantasizing a costume picture. I like to think so.
Dear Brain Trust: I received word last week of the loss to cancer of one of our prolific, knowledgeable and veteran contributors, Lee Ann of the trio of solvers Lee Ann, Megan and Thom, who moved with us from latimes.com to the ladailymirror in 2011. I have never met most of you, but I look forward to your answers every week and devote much thought to selecting a movie and the various images. More than one of you has written to me privately thanking me for the mystery movie and telling me how this little quiz has helped them get through a hard time in their lives.
Please join me in sending our deepest condolences to Megan and Thom
Megan and Thom write: Thank you for everyone’s condolences. It’s not quite the same doing this without her. We really appreciate your caring remarks.
For Monday, we have a mystery woman.
Update: This is Virginia O’Brien.
And for Tuesday we have this dapper gent with a microscopic bowtie.
Update: This is “Rags” Ragland.”
Brain Trust roll call: Suzanne Stone (Monday’s mystery singer), Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery singer and mystery song) Anne Papineau (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery singer and mystery song), Dan Nather (Monday’s mystery singer), David Inman (Monday’s mystery singer), Sheila (Monday’s mystery singer), Tim A. Doherty (Monday’s mystery singer), Moviepas (Monday’s mystery singer), Robert Morrissey (Monday’s mystery singer), Bob Hansen (wrong movie but right mystery co-star and Monday’s mystery singer), Meredith Ponedel (Monday’s mystery singer), Benito (Monday’s mystery singer), Jenny M. (Monday’s mystery singer), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery singer), Claire (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery singer), E. Yarber (Monday’s mystery singer) and L.C. (mystery movie, mystery singer and mystery song).
For Wednesday, a mystery seer.
Update: This is Zero Mostel.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery singer, mystery song and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Joe Vogel (Monday’s mystery singer), Dan Nather (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Sheila (Tuesday’s mystery gent), Don Danard (Tuesday’s mystery gent), Mike Hawks (Tuesday’s mystery gent), Jenny M. (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Anne Papineau (Tuesday’s mystery gent), Howard Mandelbaum (Tuessday’s mystery gent), David Inman (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Benito (Tuesday’s mystery gent; nope, but other mystery cuties await), Sue Slutzky (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery singer and Tuesday’s mystery gent), and Thom and Megan (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery singer and Tuesday’s mystery gent).
For Thursday, we have a mystery saxophone player…
Update: This is Don Bodice.
… a mystery hot trumpet player …
Update: This is Ziggy Elman.
and a mystery trombonist. I believe they are playing “The Royal Firewater Music.”
Update: This is Tommy Dorsey.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Wednesday’s mystery swami), Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mystery swami), Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery swami), Anne Papineau (Wednesday’s mystery swami), Sue Slutzky (Wednesday’s mystery swami), Dan Nather (Wednesday’s mystery swami and Monday’s mystery song), Olga Stewart (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery singer and Tuesday’s mystery fellow) and Lee Ann, Thom and Megan (Wednesday’s mystery swami).
For Friday, we have this non-mysterious woman…
Update: Lucy!
A non-mysterious mystery gent…
Update: Gene Kelly.
… One of the most non-mysterious villains in film and his non-mystery comic foil.
Update: This is Douglass Dumbrille and Red Skelton.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery trombonist and mystery hot trumpeter), Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery trombonist and mystic trumpeter), Earl Boebert (mystery movie and Thursday’s mystery trombonist), Beach Gal (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery novelty singer and novelty song, Tuesday’s mystery gent, Wednesday’s mystery swami, Thursday’s mystery sax player — impressive! — mystery trombonist and mystery hot trumpeter) and peering into the future for Friday’s mystery guests), Jenny M. (Thursday’s mystery trombonist and mystic trumpeter), Dan Nather (Thursday’s mystery sax player — impressive! — mystery trombonist and mystic trumpeter), Sue Slutzky (Thursday’s mystery trombonist and mystic trumpeter), E. Yarber (mystery movie, Wednesday’s mystery swami and Thursday’s mystery trombonist) and Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery trombonist, mystic trumpeter and mystery novelty song).
Jenny M. says: Sorry and sad hear the passing of Lee Ann. She was in the class of people who enjoyed and loved the movies of the “golden age.” We will miss her.
ladailymirror.com 
Virginia O’Brien, know for her deadpan singing style.
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Virginia sings “Salome,” in DU BARRY WAS A LADY. “No matter how you slice it, boy, it’s still Salome.”
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Was ever impressed by the depth of knowledge displayed by Lee Ann. She will be greatly missed.
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It’s sad when enthusiasts with specialized knowledge pass away. Lee Ann sounds like a fine person.
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On Monday, Virginia “Miss Deadpan” O’Brien sings Salome from “DuBarry was a Lady”
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Not entirely sure, but . . . Virginia O’Brien?
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Virginia O’Brien?
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Virginia O’Brien. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of a dear community member.
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Virginia O’Brien?
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The deadpan MGM singer-comedienne Virginia O’Brien.
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The one, the only Virginia O’Brien!
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Monday’s guest is Virginia O’Brien, and I think thr movie is As Thousands Cheer from 1943. The star of it was Gene Kelly.
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Isn’t that Virginia O’Brien?
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Virginia O’Brien today? Love her deadpan style
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Virginia O’Brien
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Virginia O’Brien in DuBARRY WAS A LADY.
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So very sorry to hear this. ❤
Virginia O’Brien in DUBARRY WAS A LADY.
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As a sporadic commenter, I appreciated Lee Ann and the regulars.
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As for this week, I think you’re opening with Virginia O’Brien
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Deep condolences to Thom and Megan on her loss. Kudos to her skill in identifying obscure characters actors in our small world of vintage film fans.
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So sorry to hear of Lee Ann’s passing. I offer my sympathy to her friends and family.
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Sincere sympathy to Thom and Megan, although I did not know Lee Ann I would like to believe that she received great comfort and joy from L.H’s mysteries.
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Today’s photo is Virginia O’Brien singing Salome in DuBarry Was a Lady. Also with Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly…
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Even though we never met, I always enjoyed seeing Lee Ann, Megan & Tom’s collaborated comments here. My condolences to Megan and Thom on Lee Ann’s passing.
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Virginia O’Brien on Monday and Rags Ragland for “Tuesday’s photo making it DUBARRY WAS A LADY.
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Virginia O’Brien sings “Salome.”
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The woman looks like Virginia O’Brien, but I don’t know that O’Brien is obscure enough to rate a mystery woman entry. She’s one of my favorites from that era. The guy looks vaguely familiar, but I haven’t a clue who he is.
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For today, that’s Rags Ragland, and the movie is DUBARRY WAS A LADY.
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Rags Ragland for Tuesday.
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Likely incorrect but is it Rags Ragland?
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Rags Ragland.
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Rags Ragland in Du Barry Was a Lady.
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On Tuesday, Rags Ragland?
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Rags Ragland.
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Wow! A lot of the brain trust recognized the singer, the movie AND the song. Impressive.
I’m still on the hunt.
Monday’s singer looks like Ginny Simms.
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Yeah, knowing the mystery song is definitely extra credit! (And alas, no).
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The singer is Virginia O’Brien.
The guy with the bow tie is Rags Raglund.
The seer is Red Skelton.
The movie is Du Barry Was A Lady.
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Rags Ragland today, so I’m guessing “Du Barry Was a Lady.”
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Rags Ragland today, probably in PANAMA HATTIE. Hope we see cutie pies Ann Sothern and Marsha Hunt soon
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Monday – Virginia O’Brien, Tuesday – Rags Ragland. Movie – Du Barry Was A Lady.
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Thank you for everyone’s condolences. It’s not quite the same doing this without her. We really appreciate your caring remarks.
Our mystery movie is Du Barry was a Lady with Virginia O’Brien for Monday and Rags Ragland today.
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Zero Mostel.
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Zero Mostel
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Zero Mostel.
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Zero Mostel!
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Zero Mostel today.
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Zero Mostel on Wednesday. And as long as you’re giving extra credit, is the mystery song “Salome”?
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Wednesday’s swami is Zero Mostel.
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I don’t think that’s Buddy Morrow on sax, but not sure. Ziggy Ellman trumpet player and Mr. Tommy Dorsey playing the trombone.
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Ziggy Elman, Tommy Dorsey and a friend.
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Tommy Dorsey on Thursday, and the costumes indicate “Du Barry Was A Lady.”
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Dubarry Was A Lady is our film
Monday = Virginia O’Brien singing Salome
Tues = Rags Ragland
Wed = Zero Mostel
Thurs on sax is Don Lodice; on trumpet is Ziggy Ellman, on trombone is Tommy Dorsey. They are performing Katie Went to Haiti
Tomorrow we should see our stars Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly and Red Skelton
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Trumpet- Ziggy Elman
Trombone-Tommy Dorsey
Sorry and sad hear the passing of Lee Ann. She was in the class of people who enjoyed and loved the movies of the “golden age.” We will miss her.
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For Thursday: Tommy Dorsey on trombone, Ziggy Elman on trumpet, and probably Don Lodice on tenor sax.
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I’m not 100% sure about the sax player, but I think it’s Jimmy Dorsey. On trumpet, Ziggy Elman and on trombone, Tommy Dorsey?
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This week is just dripping away. The movie is “Du Barry Was a Lady,” and that’s Zero Mostel as the seer and Tommy Dorsey on trombone. More than that I cannot say… too busy drying my galoshes.
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“Katie Went to Haiti” with Ziggy Elman (trumpet); Tommy Dorsey (trombone).
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Today it’s Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Douglas Dumbrille (yay) and Red Skelton.
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Lucille Ball; Gene Kelly; Douglas Dumbrille, Red Skelton.
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Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Douglass Dumbrille and Red Skelton fill out the cast.
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For Friday, as predicted, we have our stars, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly and Red Skelton
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Oh, now I know – DuBarry was a Lady.
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And the stars of the show, from the top: Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Douglas Dumbrille and Red Skelton.
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In the first frame for Thursday we think is Jimmy Dorsey. in the second frame isZiggy Elman and the third frame is Tommy Dorsey. In the first frame on Friday is Lucille Ball, the second frame has Gene Kelly and in the third frame are Douhlass Dumbrille and Red Skelton.
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Last, but not least: Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Douglass Dumbrille, and Red Skelton. Is Thursday’s sax player Don Bodice?
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Douglass Dumbrille with Red Skelton.
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Condolences to Thom and Megan on the loss of Lee Ann.
“Whenever an elder dies, a library burns down.” It was wonderful that this forum gave her an opportunity to share her expertise.
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