A Sunday Photo Mystery
I do not have the answer to this riddle. That is why I’m presenting it to you. All I can do is date the still to 1955. I would really like to know why these people have gathered. Is it the Academy Awards for that year? If so, then why this peculiar seating arrangement? Here are the faces I recognize offhand --- James Cagney and Susan Hayward (standing), front row --- James Stewart, Greer Garson, Gregory Peck, Fredric March, not sure, and Bill Holden. Second row --- Edmond O’ Brien, Paul Douglas, don’t know, no idea, Walt Disney, don’t know, Gene Kelly, not sure (Eva Marie Saint?), Walter Pidgeon, Brod Crawford (Good! Glad they invited Brod). Third row --- I only recognize Billy Wilder, George Stevens, Jack Lemmon, (surely not) Joseph Schenck, Danny Thomas, Walter Wanger. Back row --- James Wong Howe on the left, I’m pretty sure, and Martin Scorsese (some funny joke, huh?). These other guys must be producers and/or executives…. Academy officers maybe? A once-in-a-lifetime gathering, in any event.
Isn't that Mercedes Mcambridge sitting next to Lemmon? I think you're right on Eva Marie Saint.The lady in the center back seems far to uncomfortable to be a performer. To tell you the truth, that doesn't look a hundred percent like Susan hayward to me either. I forwarded it so maybe you'll get more responses.
ReplyDeleteOkay, the guy with the eyebrows in the back row is Elia Kazan. The girl next to Holden MIGHT be Betsy Blair. Either way, I'd date the pic to 1956, but for the 1955 Oscars because Lemmon had no reason to be there otherwise. It is definitely a gathering of past Academy Award winners and current nominees for some sort of photo op. Hayward (I guess it is her after all) and Cagney were favorites to win that year. Saint, Crawford, Kazan,O'Brien Macambridge,Disney, March, Garson, etc. were all recent winners, several of whom were presenting on the '56 broadcast.
ReplyDeleteCould the guy next to Paul Douglas be Stanley Kramer?
ReplyDeleteI recognize Jean Hersholt in the second row (next to Walt Disney) - he was quite involved in the Academy during the 1950s wasn't he?
ReplyDeleteIS that Eve Marie Saint? I thought it was Janet Leigh.
ReplyDeletenext to Holden - to me it looks like Donna Reed with short hair - it's the eyes; and she was an oscar winner as well.
ReplyDeleteSince only Susan Hayward is in formal attire, this CANNOT be at the Oscar ceremony.
ReplyDeleteAddendum: since Eva Marie Saint looks pregnant here, it would date this photo as 1955.
ReplyDelete