Expert: Mel Priddle - 2/27/2008

Question
 While looking through some stuff in a friend's attic, I came across this young John Wayne movie photo. There is no information on either side of the photo other then 1543 PA 123 in the bottom right front of the photo. Everyone I showed it to was unable to identify who the leading lady is and from what film the photo is from. This has been very frustrating. Since I was unable to attach the photo, it can be viewed temporarily here:   http://rigger92.home.mindspring.com/rob/JohnWaynePhoto.jpg
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Robert Quetel

Answer
Hello Rob,

That lady is Vera Hruba Ralston (also known as just Vera Ralston) who made several films for Republic Pictures during the 1940's and 1950's......mainly because she was the protegé of and later married to the Studio's head, Herbert J. Yates.

She made a couple of films with John Wayne and the photo you sent looks like it comes from the film "Dakota" made in 1945.

http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D34532


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.