This week’s mystery movie was the 1932 film Cynara, with Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, Phyllis Barry, Henry Stephenson, Viva Tattersall, Florine McKinney and George Kirby.
Based on the international dramatic success Cynara by H.M. Harwood and R. Gore Brown.
Adapted for the screen by Lynn Starling and Frances Marion.
Art direction by Richard Day.
Musical direction by Alfred Newman.
Photographed by Ray June.
Sound by Frank Maher.
Edited by Hugh Bennett.
Directed by King Vidor.
Produced by Samuel Goldwyn.
Further information on Cynara is available from the AFI Catalog.
Cynara is available on DVD from Amazon.
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I picked Cynara by going through the trades, and it proved to be far more difficult mystery film than I expected. It’s an interesting pre-Code, adapted from a play that is apparently even racier, that was in turn adapted from a novel. Henry Stephenson reprised his role from the play.
The script for the stage version of Cynara.
Robert Gore-Browne’s 1929 novel An Imperfect Lover.
I’m going to guess that The New York Times (still trying for Mordaunt Hall) gave Cynara a fairly positive review as it came from the New York stage. Let’s see!
Finally, that’s exactly what we have (The New York Times, December 26, 1932):
Except that it is told in flashback form, which is by no means against it, the pictorial version of the play Cynara, with Ronald Colman in the part played on the stage by Philip Merivale, has not only clung to the original title, which was for a time in jeopardy, but it is faithful to the parent work. Moreover, Samuel Goldwyn, the producer of this film, which is at the Rivoli, had the sagacity to cast Henry Stephenson in the same role he played before the footlights. King Vidor, the director, gives to his scenes effective and restrained guidance, with the result that the incidents move along at a pleasing pace. The leading feminine characters are impersonated by Kay Francis and Phyllis Barry, who do their share to make this tragic tale quite convincing.
For Monday, we have a mystery woman. And she does not approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Viva Tattersall.
For Tuesday, we have a mysterious fellow. Our leading man has been cropped out due to insufficient mysteriousness and will appear Friday.
Update: For Friday, we add our mysterious leading man.
Update: This is George Kirby, left, and Ronald Colman. The fellow over Colman’s shoulder is Donald Stuart.
Brain Trust roll call: Sheila (mystery movie and Monday’s mysterious woman).
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have this mysterious woman.
Update: This is Florine McKinney.
And this mysterious woman.
Update: This is Phyllis Barry, who appeared in the Buster Keaton film What — No Beer?
For “Aha Thursday,” Monday’s mystery woman has a mysterious companion.
Update: This is Henry Stephenson and Vara Tattersall.
Brain Trust roll call: Stacia (Tuesday’s mysterious Boy Scout leader).
For Friday, here’s our mysterious leading lady and leading man.
Update: This is Kay Francis and the guilt-ridden Ronald Colman as the unfaithful husband of the story.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery fellow), Stacia (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Thursday’s mystery guests) and Megan and Thom (Thursday’s mystery fellow).
ladailymirror.com 
Feel like making a wild guess today: Is Monday Wynne Gibson in CITY STREETS?
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A great guess! But alas….
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Viva Tattersall, ‘Cynara’?
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Tuesday’s guy-cropped-for-lack-of-mysterious made Buster Keaton pop into my head. One of my “out of nowhere moments”, but I’ll use it to start hunting. You never know.
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Just for grins I’ll guess Seven Chances 1925 with Buster Keaton cropped out on Tuesday
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An interesting guess! A mystery person in our mystery cast might have a Buster connection.
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Sneaky clue …
Is one of the upcoming guests a Talmadge sister by any chance?
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Oh, that would be interesting. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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WINNER TAKE ALL. Sheila Bromley Monday, James Cagney out of frame and Robert Tuesday, Virginia Bruce, and Marian Nixon today.
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charles Cokeman tuesday.
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On Tuesday the guy in the scout uniform in the background is Donald Stuart, it took me forever because I only remember him as “the guy who kinda looks like James Gleason sort of, maybe.” Still can’t figure out the movie.
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GUILTY AS HELL. Claire Dodd, Adrienne James, Noel Francis, and Henry Stephenson today.
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That’s Henry Stephenson on Thursday! I *knew* I’d seen this movie and I’d kick myself once I figured out what it was. This is CYNARA (1932) so that’s Viva Tattersall on Monday and Friday, must be George Kirby on Tuesday, Florine McKinney and Phyllis Barry on Wednesday, Henry Stephenson and Viva again on Thursday.
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Henry Stephenson.
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Henry Stephenson and Phyllis Barry in CYNARA.
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Today’s guest is Henry Stephenson.
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CYNARA. Fluorine McKinney Mo day, C. Montague Shaw with Donald Stuart and Ronal Colman Tuesday, viva Tattersall and Phyllis Barry Wednessay, Stephenson with McKinney Thursday, Kay Francis abd Colman today.
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Finally! Faces I recognize on Friday, whew!
Cynara 1932
Directed by King Vidor
Monday – Viva Tattersall
Tuesday – Love the wonderful character name of our ‘be-medaled’ gent, Boots. Anyway, Boots is played by George Kirby. I think the scout master is Donald Stuart, but not sure. Ronald Colman, seated.
Wednesday – 1) Florine McKenney I think 2) Phyllis Barry
Thursday – Henry Stephenson and Ms Viva again
Friday – Kay Francis and Ronald Colman
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Kay Francis and Ronald Colman.
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Kay Francis, Ronald Colman in CYNARA 1932. Loves his wife but oh that kid. PS Cynar is a disgusting artichoke liqueur
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