Version 1948: Diana Lynch

"She had shiny, blue-black hair that flowed around her slim shoulders,

and violet eyes fringed with thick curly lashes."

--the Mysterious Visitor

Other than Hayley Mills as Trixie, I don't think any other actress has been so frequently cast as a Bob-White, than Elizabeth Taylor, known for her "violet eyes" (of which Di is quite famous, too). Naturally, I had to cast her as Diana in the1948 version!  There are a ton of lovely photographs from the late 1940s below. Elizabeth turned sixteen in 1948, and had just completed a supporting role in "Life With Father".

 "She was wearing a strapless gown with a long full skirt, and she 
looked so grown-up that Trixie couldn't help gasping."
--the Mysterious Visitor

"Next to you, Honey, she's the prettiest girl in our class."
--the Mysterious Visitor

Above and below--Di with her horse (was he/she ever given a name?)

Di at the beach (Cobbett's Island?)

Di at Uncle Monty's ranch in Arizona

Below--Di in front of the Lynch family estate

Version 1948: Mrs. Wheeler

I just thought of this this afternoon: What about Gene Tierney as Mrs. Wheeler, in the 1948 film? She has the same sort of coloring as Honey (minus the hazel eyes) and had just scored a success with the Ghost and Mrs. Muir in 1947. I think she would probably be available to guest-star in the Trixie films. ;) And of course, she's just gorgeous. As Trixie describes her, "the most beautiful woman [I've] ever seen". Plus, she's glamorous enough to play Honey's ultra-sophisticated mother perfectly.

"Why, it's you twenty years from now!" Trixie giggled to Honey.
--the Secret of the Mansion

Mrs. Wheeler is dressed for a formal occasion.