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No. 18

I originally identified the subject of this tricolor carbon bromide portrait as Jane Froman, a singer popular in the thirties. Recently I discovered that it is actually a portrait of Lillian Roth, also a singer popular during the 1930’s. Not only did they resemble each other during that era, both were portrayed in their film biographies by Susan Hayward, who didn’t resemble either of them.

Jane Froman became addicted to painkillers and alcohol after injuries sustained in a plane crash while on a USO tour in 1943. Lillian Roth became an alcoholic because, well, she liked to drink. Here she is photographed with a smart cocktail.

Lillian Roth

Unattributed, c. 1937
vintage tri-color carbro print
13 1/8 × 18 1/4”