Movieland Mystery Photo [Updated]

Los Angeles Times file photo

[Update: Yes, this is Portland Hoffa, the wife of radio comedian Fred Allen. I discovered Allen’s radio shows after his death in 1956 and always wondered about the women named Portland Hoffa. In scanning these pictures, I came across news photos that were taken after Allen collapsed and died while out for a walk in New York. He was 62.]

Nobody identified last weekend’s mystery lady and these are all the photos I had. What to do? Answer: Mystery companion!]

Here’s our weekend mystery lady….

There’s a new photo on the jump!

Los Angeles Times file photo

… and here’s another picture of our mystery woman!

Los Angeles Times file photo

[Update: This photo gave it away. Please congratulate Dewey Webb, Mary Mallory, Jenny M, Pat in Michigan, Sarah, Julie Merholz, Gregory Moore, Rick, Waldo Lydecker, Pam Sowers (returning after a long absence), Steven Moshlak and Stacia for identifying our mystery woman and her companion!]

Here’s last week’s mystery lady with a mystery Santa Claus!

Los Angeles Times file photo

Do celebrities take themselves too seriously these days?

Los Angeles Times file photo

March 20, 1956: Jack Haley escorts Portland Hoffa from St. Malachy's Church in New York after the funeral of comedian Fred Allen.

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Comments (32)

Elvia Allman

Posted by: Dewey Webb | March 19, 2011 at 05:14 PM

Patricia Collinge

Posted by: Dewey Webb | March 20, 2011 at 09:11 AM

Inez Courtney.

Posted by: Mary mallory | March 21, 2011 at 12:49 AM

Marian Jordan?

Posted by: Kevin K. | March 21, 2011 at 09:26 AM

Jane Bryan?

Posted by: Mary Mallory | March 25, 2011 at 03:43 PM

Is it Verree Teasdale with Fred Allen?

Posted by: Mary mallory | March 26, 2011 at 07:54 AM

Fanny Brice

Posted by: Pat in Michigan | March 26, 2011 at 07:55 AM

Fred Allen

Posted by: Dewey Webb | March 26, 2011 at 07:58 AM

Portland Hoffa

Posted by: Dewey Webb | March 26, 2011 at 08:01 AM

Izzat Fannie Brice with Fred Allen?

Posted by: fibber mcgee | March 26, 2011 at 08:01 AM

Oops. It's his wife Portland Hoffa, and the first photo is the same photo used for the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Posted by: Mary mallory | March 26, 2011 at 08:07 AM

Portland Hoffa and Fred Allen

Posted by: Jenny M | March 26, 2011 at 08:10 AM

Posted by: Pat in Michigan | March 26, 2011 at 08:55 AM

Fred Allen and the Baby Snooks pinafore reveals that she is the Funny Lady herself, Fannie Brice.

Posted by: Arye Michael Bender | March 26, 2011 at 09:55 AM

Portland Hoffa!

Posted by: Sarah | March 26, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Posted by: Julie Merholz | March 26, 2011 at 10:35 AM

Even though her outfit suggests it, I don't think the lady is Fannie Brice. The eyes and nose look all wrong. I do agree that the gentleman is Fred Allen, though.

Posted by: Patricia van Hartesveldt | March 26, 2011 at 11:02 AM

Aha! Portland Hoffa and her husband, Fred Allen!

Posted by: Gregory Moore | March 26, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Portland Hoffa, aka Mrs Fred Allen

Posted by: rick | March 26, 2011 at 12:11 PM

Is it Portland Hoffa?

Posted by: Waldo Lydecker | March 26, 2011 at 02:24 PM

Fanny Brice? Fred Allen?

Posted by: gary martin | March 26, 2011 at 03:51 PM

Portland Hoffa, famous in radio as Fred Allen's sidekick!

Posted by: Pam Sowers | March 26, 2011 at 03:57 PM

Portland Hoffman?