Fun #41 - 1930 Detroit Auto Show / Patricia Mary Donnelly / Richard Reading

[Otto Puzzell]

Without people, where would the cars be? No, Radiator Springs doesn't count  

While not responsible designing or building cars, two persons prominently featured in this photo were very much connected to our favorite 4-wheeled device - at least when this picture was taken. One was on the way up in the world, not long after proclaiming they were likely to die (but lived to enjoy old age), and the other was about to take a long tumble from prominence to ignominy.

For the point, please identify the venue, the year. For 1 additional point, identify the two people about whom I've hinted, above.  

Be sure to answer all parts of the question, if you'd like the point.

Only complete answers will earn a point

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[Ray B.]

It looks like late thirties, early forties. I'm not so sure about the car in the back.
So #1937-1943, Germany?

[Otto Puzzell]

It looks like late thirties, early forties. I'm not so sure about the car in the back.
So #1937-1943, Germany?

Right era, wrong place.

[Ray B.]

Italy? Those hats still look european to me...

[Otto Puzzell]

Italy? Those hats still look european to me...

No, not European

[Ray B.]

All right. the old U.S. of A.
"Ignominy" and those hats made me want to link this to WWII, I don't know why.

[Otto Puzzell]

All right. the old U.S. of A.
"Ignominy" and those hats made me want to link this to WWII, I don't know why.

Yes, in the US

[Otto Puzzell]

"Ignominy" and those hats made me want to link this to WWII, I don't know why.

World War II had indeed begun when this picture was taken, but the US had not yet declared war as part of the conflict.

[Ray B.]

Is Betty Hutton in the picture?

[Otto Puzzell]

No sir.

One again, a clue to her identity is right here on this page. 

[pnegyesi]

Is this an opening of an auto show in 1940?

[Otto Puzzell]

It is, but not in 1940

[pnegyesi]

1939?

[Otto Puzzell]

Yes - 1939

[Ray B.]

Is the car in the background a Fomoco product?

[Otto Puzzell]

Is the car in the background a Fomoco product?

I don't know, but it certainly could be

[pnegyesi]

A one-off autoshow or a regular (previously there were similar events)?

[Ray B.]

Is the painting or photograph behind them a relevant clue?

[Ray B.]

1939 World's Fair?

[Otto Puzzell]

A one-off autoshow or a regular (previously there were similar events)?

One in a long series of events

[Otto Puzzell]

Is the painting or photograph behind them a relevant clue?

It is probably auto-related. Beyond that, I don't know.

[Otto Puzzell]

1939 World's Fair?

Not the World's Fair.

[Ray B.]

1939 New York Auto Show?

[Otto Puzzell]

1939 New York Auto Show?

Go West!

[pnegyesi]

Chicago Auto Show?