Los Angeles Times photo
Our mystery star has more than 100 credits on imdb.
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Update: These are pictures from the 1936 trial over the custody of Marilyn Astor Thorpe. Mary Astor charged that her ex-husband, Franklyn, wasn't a fit parent (he allegedly had women spend the night while his daughter was in his custody and was supposedly abusive to the girl) and he made similar accusations. citing passages in her diary describing her affair with playwright George S. Kaufman.
From left, Attorney Joseph Anderson, Franklyn Thorpe, attorney Ethel M. Pepin (that's the lady in the hat), attorney A.P. Michael Narlian, attorney Roland Rich Woolley and Mary Astor. Ruth Chatterton is in the audience between Thorpe and Pepin.
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Los Angeles Times photograph |
Several people have guessed correctly: Steven Bibb was first, followed by Mary Mallory, Nick Santa Maria and Jany. Congratulations! Here's another clue for everyone else.
At left, Mary Astor, Roland Richard Woolley and Ruth Chatterton |
Los Angeles Times photograph |
Today, we have a big clue to our mystery star. Imagine my surprise to find this in the archives. Update: A page from Mary Astor's diary -- written in lavender ink.
Several more people have guessed correctly: Regular reader Dewey Webb and Jeff Hanna. Congratulations!
Many people talk about Mary Astor's diary. It was supposedly burned on orders of the judge. However I have been told by people who worked at the Examiner that Hearst photographed the whole thing. That's a story that I doubt will ever be verified but it shows what a big deal the diary was at the time. |
Los Angeles Times photograph |
And we have many more correct guesses. Congratulations to: Nathan Benedict, Carol Gwenn, Gregory Moore, "Zabadu," Pamela Porter, Richard Heft and "Laura" fan Waldo Lydecker.
At left, Judge Goodwin Knight -- the future California governor -- with Lois Carpenter, 12, and Dorothy Carpenter, 6. Astor's diary surfaced during a child custody dispute. |
Los Angeles Times photograph |
Here's our mystery woman. Add Rance Ryan to the folks who have recognized her.
Isn't this a great picture of Mary Astor? She had just been awarded custody of her daughter Marilyn during the school year. |
Los Angeles Times photograph |
And yes, this is Mary Astor. I usually end the contests on Friday but I like the art so much I just had to go another day. People sometimes ask me why I run black and white pictures in color but the image at left shows why. The print happens to be a sort of sepia tone as if they didn't fix it long enough because they were in such a hurry to get it into the paper. I could clean it up digitally and make it nice with pure blacks and whites but to me that spoils the experience.
The outfit was blue taffeta, by the way. | |
Good choice today! Mary Astor, seated at the right of the photo, and second from left is her husband, Dr. Franklin Thorpe. This was taken during the divorce trial, when they were both fighting for custody of their daughter. This is the famous "Blue Diary" case.
Posted by: Steven Bibb | January 12, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Hedda Hopper
Posted by: william | January 12, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Herman Bing?
Posted by: Dewey Webb | January 12, 2009 at 10:52 AM
is it Mary Astor at her divorce trial, where her diary became a major piece of evidence?
Posted by: Mary Mallory | January 12, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Mary Astor
Posted by: Nick Santa Maria | January 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Could be the Statue of Liberty under that hat, and who would know. Or maybe it's Neil's Grandma, Hedda Gabler?
Although that dapper guy with the floppy handkerchief is quite theatrical. Must be an Esquire.
Posted by: Arye (Leslie) Michael Bender | January 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Mary Astor
Posted by: Nick Santa Maria | January 12, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Bette Davis in The Letter.
Posted by: MichaelRyerson | January 12, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Mary Astor
Posted by: jany | January 13, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Mary Astor
Posted by: Dewey Webb | January 13, 2009 at 09:23 AM
If you mean the woman in the lower photo, that's Ruth Chatterton, yes? She was a big B'way star, too, as well as a novelist and a pioneering aviatrix!
Posted by: Eve | January 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Ida Lupino?
Posted by: LEE RIVAS | January 13, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Mary Astor
Posted by: Jeff Hanna | January 13, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Mary Astor???
Posted by: Nathan Benedict | January 14, 2009 at 08:53 AM
As I suspected...Mary Astor.
Posted by: Carol Gwenn | January 14, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Aha! It's Mary Astor....I was looking at the wrong lady...
Posted by: Gregory Moore | January 14, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Mary Astor in her custody trial because of her affair with Hart?
Posted by: zabadu | January 14, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Mary Astor. To be honest, I wasn't sure *which* person was the "mystery actress" - maybe a bit more direction next time?
Keep 'em coming - love this feature!
Posted by: Pamela Porter | January 14, 2009 at 10:41 AM
It must be Mary Astor, and "Franklyn" would be her husband, Franklyn Thorpe.
Posted by: Richard Heft | January 14, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I think that is Lee J Cobb. The jawline sure looks like his as well as the intensity in the eyes.
Posted by: MIKE SCANLON | January 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM
I don't know the mystery star, but in the photo where the man is whispering to her, the woman in the upper left, face half hidden, resembles Mary Astor.
Posted by: waldo lydecker | January 14, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Since I can't tell if you want Mary Astor or her lawyer - I've already guessed Mary, so how about her lawyer Roland Rich Woolley?
Posted by: zabadu | January 14, 2009 at 05:21 PM
I am an idiot I was looking at the wrong women. Mary Astor?
Posted by: Rance Ryan | January 15, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Mary Astor
Posted by: pat | January 16, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Myrna Loy?
Posted by: JJ | January 16, 2009 at 09:07 AM