UPDATE: Okay, I don't think anyone will get this without hints because aside from Norma Shearer in the middle, the other two were never stars and the picture doesn't enlarge enough to really see their faces well. However, I want someone to get a point for this so here are some hints.
Although they were never stars they did have some big movies. The brunette with the stole had one really big movie. One of the all-time greats. Early thirties, comedy. Think greasepaint and cigar. The blonde had some big movies too, two specifically. For the first one think Bela without the cape in a supporting role and a great ham of an English actor in the lead. For the second, read the last word of this post.
*****ORIGINAL POST*****
And to start the Holiday Season off right I make you offer. This is an opening, a grand opening, that happened almost exactly eighty years ago. It took place on December 8th, 1928. Present were three top actresses of the day. One of them was a star, a huge star, and she's front and center ready to cut the ribbon. I'd be surprised if my readers don't know her or recognize her face immediately. The other two were big in their day but whose stars have since faded. The first is on the left, dressed in black, right next to the big star. The second is on the right, the brunette with the white fur stole. Name all three and get a point in the Name That Movie game currently going on here at Cinema Styles. And if you don't know them by face... well, I've given you the date and you should know the center star, so start googling. Somebody ought to come up with the answer eventually.
P.S. - First, I really love old pictures like this. They transport me back in time. Second, isn't it a bit odd that before the ribbon is cut there's a woman already inside the building, visible over the left shoulder of our star? Freaky.
18 comments:
Is it Mary Pickford in the center?
Is that Bessie Love in black?
Renee Adoree with the stole?
Hey someone finally took a guess, three times no less. But I'm afraid it's no, no and no.
The star in the center is Norma Shearer. I'm not saying who the other two are. Barely visible behind the actress in black is Irving Thalberg.
You shouldn't have given away Norma Shearer. Someone would have gotten it eventually. I have no idea who the other women are. Good luck to the rest of you.
Well, it's a holiday weekend, I was feeling generous. Besides, I think you're the only that's going to guess.
Asia Argento in the center, Rene Zellweger with the stole and Fatty Arbuckle in black. He loved to look pretty ...
Do I win?
Oooh Rick, soooo close. Except for the fact that you were totally, completely, utterly and absolutely wrong you almost got it.
They are all Nicholas Cage.
Another near miss. So close. So very close.
Only two are Nicholas Cage.
She's not part of the contest but I'd bet my spats the blond next to the brunette in the white stole is Gwen Lee.
Is that Anita Page on the left, in black? Damn, they really covered up back then.
And you'd be right, it is Gwen Lee. Sorry about that. I have the whole list of who is in the photo right down to the guy in the tux behind the brunette (Sidney Weisman, manager of the building). Geez, I don't know why I didn't include her. I remember ruling out Thalberg because he's so hidden and architect Charles Lee because no one would know him by face but Gwen... well, what can I say, a brain fart.
For the first one think Bela without the cape in a supporting role and a great ham of an English actor in the lead.
Leila Hyams, and you mean Island of Lost Souls, although she and Lugosi were in The Thirteenth Chair together, too. I never would have recognized her from this picture. I love those hats on a woman but they do leave a lot to the imagination.
The brunette with the stole had one really big movie. One of the all-time greats. Early thirties, comedy. Think greasepaint and cigar.
Is that Kitty Carlisle?
You've almost got the point. Leila Hyams is right, Kitty Carlisle is not. But you're on the right track. Don't quack up on me now. One more guess and you've got it.
Raquel Torres as I live and breathe!
Yes! Norma Shearer (who I revealed early on) and then Arbo got Leila Hyams, Raquel Torres and Gwen Lee, who I didn't even ask for. Another point for Arbogast.
Post a Comment