Movie Star Mystery Photo

Los Angeles Times file photo I’m calling this series of mystery photos “Lucille Ball and Friends.” In going through The Times’ files of Ball photos, I was struck by the number of unfamiliar images.  We’ve all seen the stills of Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory.  These photos were different – the unknown Lucy. I especially like this photo because it shows Ball with a group of aspiring actors and actresses she had under contract in her project to provide the kind of training she received early in her career. Here they were in 1959, having achieved some measure of success, and yet I didn’t recognize a single one of them. And aren't the outfits great? So 1950s! The Times’ clips provide the names of the Desilu Workshop Theater members, but the people aren’t identified on the back of the photo. See if you can match the names with the faces: Jerry Antes, Bob Barran, Majel Barrett, Janice Carroll, Carole Cook, Georgine Darcy, Dick Kalman, Marilyn Lovell, Fran Martin, Gary Menteer, Johnny O'Neill, Bob Osborne, Roger Perry, Howie Storm, Mark Tobin and Bob Trevis. And yes, there are 14 unidentified people and 16 names. Welcome to the world of unlabeled photos.     Los Angeles Times file photo Los Angeles Times file photo

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: Lucille Ball and friends! The weekend mystery guest was Otis Chandler! There’s a new photo on the jump!

Los Angeles Times file photo I went into the photo archives last night to see if we had any comparison pictures. Here’s Majel Barrett in a 1957 publicity shot.  My friends at TCM tell me Robert Osborne has a copy of the photo – with everyone identified – but it will be a while before he can weigh in on the picture. Los Angeles Times file photo Update: March 16, 1958 -- Lucille Ball accepts the Genii award of Radio and Television Women of Southern California from Art Linkletter and Miss Dorothy Winters, president of the organization, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. For Tuesday, we have Lucy with two mystery companions, one easy and the other more challenging. Los Angeles Times file photo Update: April 26, 1961 -- Lucille Ball autographs cast on broken wrist of Edith King, her dance routine partner in the Broadway musical "Wildcat." Miss King was hurt trying to catch Miss Ball when latter fainted on the stage. Here’s Lucy and a smiling mystery companion…. Please congratulate Dewey Webb and Anne Papineau for identifying her. Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Sept. 2, 1962 -- Linda Hope, left, accepts award for her father, Bob Hope, from Dorothy Lamour and Lucille Ball accepts award from Vincent Price at "Oscar to Wardrobers" dinner honoring Hollywood personalities and costumers. For Thursday, we have Lucy with three (somewhat) mysterious companions. Please congratulate Carmen for identifying them. Los Angeles Times file photo Update: Please tell me we fixed that for a later edition. Nope, we didn’t. Here’s the last one in the “Lucy and Friends” series…. It should be a snap.  I’ll be busy at a dental appointment this morning so tune in tomorrow for the answers! There may even be a mini-mystery photo.

Comments

[Stacia]

Tuesday's pic is Lucy with Art Linkletter at what I assume are the 1956 Emmy Awards. No idea who the lady on the left is, but it's not Art's wife Lois.

[Rick Scott]

Let's take a shot in the dark: the lady is Babe Didrikson, the fella is (obviously) Art Linkletter.

[Dewey Webb]

Whatever it is, backstage at Wildcat.

[Dewey Webb]

Edith King!

[Cold in PHX]

Lucy and Sophie Tucker.

[Anne Papineau]

Edith King?

[gary martin]

Tuesday guests are Art Linkletter and Jinx Falkenberg. Wednesday guest is Yvonne de Carlo.

[Rinky Dink]

Today's photo: Lucy with Ethel Merman???

[Carmen]

Thursday photo folks with Ms Ball: Linda Hope (Bob's daughter), Dorothy Lamour and Vincent Price

[Mary Mallory]

Lucy with vincent price and Dorothy Lamour.

[Arye Michael Bender]

No guesses today, but all the pictures of Lucille Ball in various activities brings to mind two realizations: 1., How many eras her career spanned; and 2., That she held a strong sense of giving back to the industry that embraced her.

Am left with a greater appreciation for Ms. Ball than I had when she was alive and active.

[Stacia]

Dorothy Lamour, Lucy, and Vincent Price. Is that Candy Moore on the left? It's odd, because I assume that's the 1968 Emmys, but can't figure out why Dorothy is holding an Emmy.

[Mary Mallory]

It's Lionel STander. Let's please move on to something better.

[Mike Hawks]

That is bruce gordon with Lucy in the latest photo.

[Dewey Webb]

Bruce Gordon

[Carmen]

Last picture with Lucy - actor Bruce Gordon. He was Frank Nitti in the "The Untouchables" with Robert Stack.

[Dewey Webb]

If mystery blonde at awards show isn't Barbara Anderson, is she Rosemary Forsyth?

[benito]

Bottom photo is Bruce Gordon, aka Frank Nitti the Enforcer in The Untouchables TV series. Next photo up: Vincent Price and Dorothy Lamour. The young blonde is tough to ID. Next photo up: Hedda Hopper or Louella Parsons. Whoever it is, is frightful. PS Nice shot of Majel Barrett.

[zabadu]

I have to agree with Mary on this...I miss your old crime beat stories. I wish you'd do more - you write them so well.

[Rick]

Bruce Gordon (Frank Nitti from the Untouchables), "Lucy The Gun Moll" The Lucy Show 1966

[Rick Scott]

Friday's mystery guest is Bruce Gordon (Frank Nitti on TV's The Untouchables).