Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:17 pm
Perhaps I should have mentioned that the actress pictured played Phyllis Haver's character's maid in the film, who is secretly in the employ of Talleyrand.
My first thought on seeing her was that she looked too old and unattractive to be Carole Lombard, but as I said, the eyes, nose, and chin (and even the cheeks) got me wondering otherwise (though the ear lobes might not look quite right). Most of the pictures we've seen of Carole have been taken when she's made up to look like the glamour queen that she was. Wash the makeup off and might she not look somewhat plainer? And when actually seeing the character in action, it's hard to tell the actress's real age. There are times when she looks like a dowdy old frump, but then a certain liveliness comes into her eyes and gait that makes me recall some of Carole's screwball antics.
As I understand it, the reason people suspect that Carole was in this film is because the star, Rod La Rocque, recalled working with her in an early film, and director Donald Crisp mentioned having directed her. The only films where both Rod La Rocque and Donald Crisp worked together were this one and 1928's STAND AND DELIVER, and Carole Lombard isn't credited with either of them in any picture.
I've not seen STAND AND DELIVER, but apparently it isn't a very strong candidate for being an early vehicle for Carole. Since both Rod La Rocque and Donald Crisp remembered working with her, it isn't likely that she was just some nameless extra standing in the background. The maid is a small part, but she plays an important role early in the film, and shares the screen with La Rocque.
I'm not at all convinced that the actress playing the maid is Carole, but until someone can identify her as someone else she seems to be a possible candidate.
That woman looks at least 40. So I doubt that it is her. I know that Sally Rand is in the film though.
