La Collectionneuse: Guess this mystery lady

Like last year, 'La Collectionneuse', Marlene Pilaete, made a quiz for EFSP on one of the last days of the year. For every Sherlock, Marlene selected 40 postcards from her own collection with pictures of ladies who are related to the film world, but their names are not on the postcards. Marlene wrote: "I cannot be sure at 100%. Maybe some of them are anonymous pin-ups or models. I have names that come to my mind regarding some of them but I would like confirmation from other people." So we did a 40-day challenge at Flickr for the followers of 'Truus, Bob & Jan too!' There were many guesses, including several correct ones. But, please, help us guess also who these other ladies are and write your guess in the comments below. Feel free to do so and don't hesitate, please. Stupid guesses are impossible. It's just fun, but serious fun. For every guess, Marlene does a double-check, and we will update this post regularly with the definitive names of the mystery ladies.

Mystery lady no. 1

Spanish postcard in the 'Hollywood (California)' series.

Comments: (Bob:) This is a tough one. We think she is a Hollywood starlet, ca. 1930. Pre-code era. (Moonlit Door:) Nice legs. Yes the photo definitely looks pre-Code as it's quite risqué in its pretty way, but I can't guess who she is. (Pascal Dellouve:) Joan Blondell?? (Moonlit Door:) I've checked her out in Google Images and Joan Blondell is definitely a strong runner for this photo. The genuine laughing smile is quite a trademark for her, not to mention her legs. (Steve:) Looks like Joan Blondell for sure. This image was on the cover of 10 Story Book Magazine, November 1933.

La Collectionneuse: I’m sure that the nr 1 is not Joan Blondell.

Mystery lady no. 2

Spanish postcard, no. 3028.

Comments: (Jim:) Sonia Henie? (wild stab in the dark). (Bob:) Thanks, Jan and I have really no idea. (Pascal Dellouve): It could be Mary Dees, which appears in Footlight Parade...

La Collectionneuse: I’m not convinced by Mary Dees for the nr 2.

Mystery lady no. 3

Spanish postcard, no. 3116.

Comments: (Moonlit Door:) Not quite Jane Russell! (Bob:) No, but definitively from the same era. (Jim:) I love a woman in fishnets... :)

Mystery lady no. 4

Spanish postcard.

Comments: (Bob) Joan Bennett? (Jim) Wild stab - Dolores Del Rio?

Mystery lady no. 5

Spanish postcard, no. 521.

Comments: (MoonlitDoor:) Betty Grable? (Bob:) Certainly same style, same period. Our guess is Martha Stewart. But Marlene keeps her lips sealed... (J Lincoln Hallowell Jr:) Ginger Rogers? (Philip Mayer:) Sarah Bernhardt ??? Or even a young Edith Evans. I'm annoyed because I guessed Joan Blondell before anybody else, but as I was always wrong in the past, I didn't say. (MoonlitDoor:) Our hosts here Truus, Bob & Jan too! won't bite your legs, and they evidently enjoy seeing what we come up with. How about Carol Landis? For a different reason, I have just been looking at a blogger's collection of photos of her, and I thought she might be a long shot for this postcard. (Dra90n R163r:) I was thinking Vivian Blaine...But could not confirm it. But Yandex to the rescue. Martha Stewart.....

La Collectionneuse: Martha Stewart (nr 5) is the correct anwer.

Mystery lady no. 6

Spanish postcard, no. 3050.

 
Comments: (MoonlitDoor:) There's a hint of Ingrid Bergman in her face, but I don't think she was in the habit of doing publicity shots in tight-fitting swimsuits. I have no idea who she really is, but at least we can enjoy looking at her lovely figure.

Mystery lady no. 7

Spanish postcard.

Comments: (MoonlitDoor:) I have no idea who the star is, I'm afraid, but the outfit is interesting. The setting seems to be suggesting that the sea and beach aren't far away, in which case this is a not-a-bikini two-piece swimsuit, ca the 1940s. But is that a miniskirt or a garment like the lower half of many one-piece swimsuits of that time? Either way, she looks good in it. (Jim:) I believe those were called a "Modesty Panel" to avoid cameltoe situations. (MoonlitDoor:) Thanks. Yes, I knew there was a fashion term for that little valence or pelmet which cut across the front of one-piece swimsuits of that time, but I couldn't remember it. But then they seemed to go out of fashion anyway, camel toe or no camel toe. In this photo though I really wondered if the lower garment was actually a miniskirt.

La Collectionneuse: It's Penny Edwards.

Mystery lady no. 8

Spanish postcard.

Comments: (Dra90n R163r 21d) Penny Edwards.

La Collectionneuse: Nr. 8 is, like nr. 7, Penny Edwards.

Mystery lady no. 9

Spanish postcard.

Comments: (Jim:) She favors Linda Darnell but I don't think it's her. (Bob:) Jim Interesting guess. A young, pert Darnell... She is beautiful. (Dra90n R163r 21d I have either seen that pic before or that background...I figured she might have been an extra in one of Dorothy Lamour jungle or island movies. Yea, I went down that rabbit hole, no joy.

Mystery lady no. 10

Spanish postcard by Belfo.

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) It's Harriette Haddon. This one was easy. The number at the bottom right, P1630, was the number that Paramount used as an identifier for Harriette Haddon, the 57 is the number of the pic. 

La Collectionneuse: Harriette Haddon is an interesting guess for the nr 10.

Mystery lady no. 11

Spanish postcard.

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) Ann Miller.

La Collectionneuse: I’m not convinced.

Mystery lady no. 12

Spanish postcard, no. 144.

Comments: (Jim:) She resembles Gale Storm. (And there's that pesky modesty panel again!) (Buz Murdock Geotag:) Gale Storm? My Little Margie a little less little. I guessed this before I saw the other comment.

La Collectionneuse: Gale Storm I’ve checked on the Internet and is correct.

Mystery lady no. 13

Spanish postcard by Ediciones Europacolor, no. 270.

Comments: (Jim:) Lizabeth Scott maybe? (Mark Powell:) Yes, Lizabeth Scott.

La Collectionneuse: Yes, Lizabeth Scott (this was the name I had in mind too).

Mystery lady no. 14

Dutch postcard by Jospe.

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) Just a guess, Claire Trevor ?

Mystery lady no. 15

Dutch postcard, no. 941.

Comments: (GretaG:) Frances Drake?

La Collectionneuse: Frances Drake for the nr 15 is an interesting guess but I cannot say that I’m convinced and I really don’t know if it’s the correct answer.

Mystery lady no. 16

Dutch postcard, no. 941.

Comments: (Dra90n:) Greer Garson. (Bob:) Thanks! Another interesting guess. This is a Dutch postcard and we have another postcard of this series with Ingrid Bergman, ca. 1939. If you google Greer Garson, 1939, you'll find pictures of Garson with the same hairdo but she seems ten years older than the girl on the postcard.

La Collectionneuse: I’m not convinced by Greer Garson for the nr 16.

Mystery lady no. 17

Italian postcard by Bromostampa, Milano, no. 417-60.

Comments: (Jim:) She looks like the beginnings of Vampira!

Mystery lady no. 18

Italian postcard by Rotalfoto, Milano.

Comments: (That Guy John:) She's beautiful. Love those eyes, those cheekbones, that smile. Is it Leonie Vernet? (Dra90n R163r:) Lili Gentle.

La Collectionneuse: Lili Gentle is correct.

Mystery lady no. 19

Italian postcard by Fotocelere, Torino, Serie 56.

Comments: (J Lincoln Hallowell Jr) Carole Landis. (Monica Talbot:) I leave it to the experts to name the lady, but note that I'm incredibly jealous of this dress! (Dra90n R163r:) I'm thinking Dina Merrill........... (Bob:) I'm in doubt. For a moment I thought a young Janet Leigh, but no...

Mystery lady no. 20

Dutch postcard.

Comments: (GretaG:) Mona Barrie. (MoonlitDoor:) Of course, she's Snow White's wicked stepmother Queen, but that's probably not the answer you wanted.

La Collectionneuse: She’s indeed Mona Barrie.

Mystery lady no. 21

Dutch postcard. Caption: Can you guess what I am thinking?

Comments: (greta_g:) Madeleine Sologne? (Bob:) Interesting guess! Thanks! (Dra90n R163r): Marie Glory? (Bob:) Thanks, another interesting guess, but sadly no white smoke from Brussels yet.

Mystery lady no. 22

Dutch postcard. Collection: Marlene Pilaete. Caption: Happy New Year.

Comments: (Mark Powell:) Is she Claire Trevor? (Erhanizzet:) She looks like Sally Eilers. (Bob:) Thanks. We thought Annabella or maybe Tallulah Bankhead, but Marlene is not convinced yet that she is one of these four stars. (Dra90n R163r:) It's nice to have a starting point grinning face with sweat. I think Mark is correct...I'll even go out on a limb and say the card is for the movie Elinor Norton (1934) www.imdb.com/title/tt0025079/mediaviewer/rm1662669568/.

La Collectionneuse: Among the 4 names given (Trevor, Eilers, Annabella, and Bankhead), Trevor was the one which had the most potential but I was not really convinced at 100%. Now that there is that link to the 1934 movie “Elinor Norton” given by the visitor “Dra90n R163r”, I really think that it might be the right answer. But, again, we are so used to seeing the Claire Trevor from the ’40s (with more natural eyebrows and different make-up and hairdos) that it’s more difficult to identify her in photos from the beginning of her career.

Mystery lady no. 23

Spanish postcard. Caption: Gertrude Asher (sic).

Comments: (Bob:) Could it be Gertrude Astor?

La Collectionneuse: About the nr 23: Since I have that card, Gertrude Astor was indeed the name I have in mind. Not really because I’ve recognized her, but mostly because of the caption “Gertrude Asher”. Sometimes, printed names are complete fabrications (especially on later Spanish postcards), but, in this case, I thought that that name didn’t come from nowhere and Gertrude Astor was the name that came closest. Furthermore, on the Gertrude Astor IMDb page, there is the mention: “Alternate name: Gertrude Aster”. There is only one letter of difference. Of course, Gertrude Astor was usually a glamourous blonde and, if it’s her, this card must date from the very beginning of her career.  I cannot say that I’m sure at 100% that it’s Gertrude Astor. You remember that this guess comes more from the name on the card (Gertrude Asher) rather than from a clear identification. I would have liked to have confirmation from other visitors.

Mystery lady no. 24

American postcard (probably from Kline Poster Co. Inc. Philadelphia).

Comments: (Pascal Dellouve:) Great chance to be Mary Pickford (around 1915-1920 ?) (Jan:) Could it be Grace Darling?

La Collectionneuse: Jan was right about Grace Darling.

Mystery lady no. 25

German postcard by Eidelsan, serie 2, bild 97. Photo: Associated Press. Caption: Baguette Sequins (Sequins stick).

Comments: (Jim) Here's a really wild stab - Ethel Merman. (Dra90n R163r:) Jeanette MacDonald.

La Collectionneuse: Jeanette MacDonald is indeed the name I had in mind.

Mystery lady no. 26

Vintage postcard. Caption: Ilona Massey (sic).

Comments: (Jim) Another wild stab - Ilona Massey...:)

Mystery lady no. 27

Spanish postcard by Oscarcolor no. 518.

Comments: (Jim) Sheree North?

La Collectionneuse: Sheree North. I’ve checked on the Internet and I really think it’s her.

Mystery lady no. 28

Argentinian postcard by F. Riudavets, Buenos Aires, no. 572.

Comments: (Pascal Dellouve:) She is wearing the same swimsuit as in this picture from the movie Footlight Parade (1933): www.imdb.com/title/tt0024028/mediaviewer/rm2059019264/ You can see it here too: www.imdb.com/title/tt0024028/mediaviewer/rm2703120128/

Mystery lady no. 29

Dutch postcard by Vigevano, Amsterdam. Photo: Paramount. Caption: Greetings from Zandvoort.

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) Wynne Gibson? (J Lincoln Hallowell Jr:) Jean Arthur. (Bob:) I think one of you two is right, but I am waiting for confirmation from Marlene.

La Collectionneuse: You’re right regarding the nr 30. I really think that it’s Wynne Gibson. And the photo on the postcard comes from the same session as the photo on the Internet page. From Hollywood to Zandvoort ... What Wynne Gibson would have thought about it?

Mystery lady no. 30

Spanish postcard, no. 4073. Caption: Lennie Forte (sic?)

Comments: (Sarah Morgan:) Lennie Forte... (Dra90n R163r:) I did find a second pic of "Lennie" from the same shoot, only leaning back, an old eBay listing with a dead link, I could not find anything on Lennie Forte anywhere. I did find a listing for a Lonnie Forte on IMDb, but the time frame was wrong. I think the name is misspelled. It's either Lennie or Lonnie, but for sure the last name is incorrect. Even zooming in on the bottom right corner, I can not be sure what it spells..... (Bob:) Thanks for your comments. We don't know too.

Mystery lady no. 31

Spanish postcard, no. 222.

Comments: (Jim:) No clue, but those shoes are definitely 20's-30's.

Mystery lady no. 32

Spanish postcard, no. 132. Caption: Evelin Smith (sic?).

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) Esther Williams....?

Mystery lady no. 33

Spanish postcard by Ediciones Europacolor, no. 240.

Comments: (JEN4225:) She's very much like Shirley Eaton.

La Collectionneuse: Yes, she's Shirley Eaton.

Mystery lady no. 34

Spanish postcard. Collection: Marlene Pilaete.

Comments: (greta_g:) Mary Carlisle?

Mystery lady no. 35

Spanish postcard, no. 362. Caption: Doris David.

Comments: (Philip Mayer:) Could it be Doris Kappelhoff ?; (greta_g:) Dona Drake?; (Philip Mayer:) Is the double D a clue ? (or a measurement ?) I'll try Donna Douglas. It's not Diana Dors, Deanna Durbin or Dolores Del Rio, Or even Dodgy Dave.

La Collectionneuse: It's Dona Drake!

Mystery lady no. 36

Vintage postcard.

Comments: (Derek Visser:) she looks plenty non-binary at least, that is a good start!; (Jan:) Ruth Roland?

Mystery lady no. 37

Dutch postcard, no. 142.

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) Merry Christmas! The eyes tell me, Loretta Young.....; (Bob:) We think so too! What do you think, Marlene?

La Collectionneuse: It's Loretta Young's sister, Sally Blane.

Mystery lady no. 38

Spanish postcard by Belfo.

Comments:

Mystery lady no. 39

Vintage postcard.

Comments: (Jim:) She resembles Joan Bennett but I don't think that's her.

Mystery lady no. 40

Vintage postcard. Caption: Jacqueline Logan (sic?).

Comments: (Dra90n R163r:) Might be Dorothy Revier from her 1928 short, Cleopatra.........

Challenge and postcards: Marlene Pilaete (La Collectionneuse).