Movieland Mystery Photo -- Updated

Los Angeles Times file photo

[Updated Oct. 30, 8:58 a.m. Yes, these are more photos from the William Desmond Taylor photo file. Above, a photo of Taylor from “Iconoclast.”]

[Several people have speculated about the signature on the letter I posted earlier in the week. There’s no information on the back, but here’s an enlargement of the signature.]

Update: I've decided to extend our mystery chap through the week. I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

Here’s our weekend mystery chap. This week’s mystery guest was Tish Sterling with mystery companions Michael Douglas, Nicholas Buttle and her mother, Ann Sothern.

There's a new photo on the jump!

Los Angeles Times file photo

[Update: This is Sgt. William Desmond Taylor, left, in an undated photo taken in Bergues, France.]

Here’s our mystery guest with some mystery companions.

Now folks, notice the three stripes, which I’m sure everyone will realize indicates the rank of sergeant.

Los Angeles Times file photo

Pvt. William Desmond Taylor, right, with Co. B, 5th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, Bergues, France.

Los Angeles Times file photo

[Update: Mabel Normand on the witness stand in William Desmond Taylor's inquest, with Coroner Nance at extreme left.]

Here are some mystery folks talking about our mystery chap. (Yes, the photo is unfocused, dark and heavily retouched). Please congratulate Herb Nichols, Pat in Michigan, Allison Francis, Mary Mallory, Eve and Steven Bibb for identifying our mystery fellow.

Los Angeles Times file photo

[Update: I have no idea who this fellow is. There’s nothing on the back of the photo and the caption published in The Times said the district attorney’s office was protecting his identity.]

Here is a mystery companion who truly is a mystery companion. The district attorney’s office kept his identity a secret in the case of this week’s mystery guest. Please congratulate Dewey Webb and Rick Scott for identifying our mystery chap.

Los Angeles Times file photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Here we have some pages of a mystery letter! Unfortunately, it’s incomplete. Please congratulate Donna for identifying our mystery fellow.

Los Angeles Times file photo

Here’s our mystery fellow – not much of a mystery anymore! Please congratulate Steve Stoliar, Julie Merholz, Periwinkle, Waldo Lydecker, Mike Hawks, Rance Ryan, Rick, Sandy, Randy Skretvedt and Kauma for identifying our mystery guest.

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Comments (52)

Nigel de Brulier?

Posted by: Mary mallory | October 23, 2010 at 09:30 AM

Wait, not thin enough for Nigel. How about Monroe Salisbury?

Posted by: Mary mallory | October 23, 2010 at 09:34 AM

Could be anyone beneath all the re-touching. But do know one thing for certain. It isn't me. Wasn't around in re-touch times.

Posted by: Arye (Leslie) Michael Bender | October 23, 2010 at 09:51 AM

Duncan Renaldo

Posted by: Julie Merholz | October 23, 2010 at 10:35 AM

It appears to be a badly doctored photo of Victor Jory.

Posted by: Waldo Lydecker | October 23, 2010 at 01:04 PM

Posted by: Wilson Smith | October 23, 2010 at 02:15 PM

Oh, how can you be so cruel to us, your ever-loyal kimosabes? It could be Baby Snooks under all that paint. But I'll guess Gilbert Roland.

Posted by: fibber mcgee | October 23, 2010 at 05:07 PM

Hard to tell with the retouching, but I'm guessing Duncan Renaldo, too. The eyebrows.

Posted by: Patricia van Hartesveldt | October 23, 2010 at 08:22 PM

william s. hart ?

Posted by: Dewey Webb | October 24, 2010 at 09:13 AM

John J. Pershing?

Posted by: Steve Stoliar | October 24, 2010 at 11:02 AM

Douglas MacArthur?

Posted by: Lee Rivas | October 24, 2010 at 05:11 PM

Patton? Is that first photo at the San Gabriel mission?

Posted by: Mary mallory | October 24, 2010 at 07:52 PM

william desmond taylor

Posted by: herb nichols | October 25, 2010 at 09:46 AM

William Desmond Taylor? Or is it too soon?

Posted by: Pat in Michigan | October 25, 2010 at 10:06 AM

William Desmond Taylor

Posted by: Allison Francis | October 25, 2010 at 10:09 AM

I think Allie's right, it's William Desmond Taylor in CAPTAIN ALVAREZ and then him in his Canadian unit during World War I.

Posted by: Mary Mallory | October 25, 2010 at 10:26 AM

Sgt. Alvin York?

Posted by: Carol Gwenn | October 25, 2010 at 10:32 AM

I'm already disappointed.

Posted by: fibber mcgee | October 25, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Is he last week's tenant, Wm. Desmond Taylor?

Posted by: Eve | October 25, 2010 at 11:20 AM

Subsequent military stills make my guess laughable. Nonetheless, I nominate the best Ming the Merciless ever, Charles Middleton. Just because his name should be in print.

Posted by: Arye Michael Bender | October 25, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.

Posted by: william | October 25, 2010 at 11:37 AM

Buck Jones.

Posted by: Karen | October 25, 2010 at 12:51 PM

It's William Desmond Taylor.

Posted by: Steven Bibb | October 25, 2010 at 05:49 PM

Phil Silvers?

Posted by: Rinky Dink | October 25, 2010 at 07:55 PM

Wm Desmond Taylor

Posted by: Dewey Webb | October 26, 2010 at 09:33 AM