Who Are...LOY AND POWELL?

You really should know who MYRNA LOY AND WILLIAM POWELL are! American actors Myrna Loy and William Powell (1934-1947) are one of the most successful and prolific screen pairings in Hollywood history. They made fourteen films together, all of which are worth seeing. Six of their films make up the very popular private detective "Thin Man" series based on the Dashiell Hammett story. It was through these much loved films that they became known to all as Nick and Nora Charles, the dashing, martini drinking detective and his rich and glamorous wife that solve mysteries together. Let's not forget to mention their irresistible wire-haired Fox Terrier Asta that often uncovers that much needed clue to unravel the whole mystery. Often playing married couples or soon to be married couples, they starred in the Academy's Best Picture of the Year of the 1936, The Great Ziegfeld (1936) with William Powell as Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. and Myrna Loy as his wife Billie Burke. Loy and Powell are definitely my favorite on screen pairing of all time. The joy I find in watching their films is seeing the comfortable relationship between the two stars (although never married in real life), their witty exchanges, and very convincing undying devotion between them, demonstrated by overt affection, loving glances, and playful jabbing. So many times, their films proved to Hollywood that audiences could embrace films where the leading couple was already married and stayed that way by the end of the picture. Their films are an absolute delight and should be part of everyone's movie library.



A fine place to start is by viewing: Double Wedding (1937)? This has to be the funniest film that I've ever seen. The end of the movie was like a fireworks finale of jokes. I love this film directed by Richard Thorpe!



See that and watch them in the following four films:
The Thin Man (1934) In 1935, this film was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role: William Powell, Best Director: W.S. Van Dyke, Best Picture: MGM, and Best Writing, Adaptation: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. It also stars Maureen O'Sullivan.
I Love You Again (1940) This screwball comedy directed by W.S. Van Dyke is a delight from beginning to end. It stars Frank McHugh.
Love Crazy (1941) This delightful screwball comedy directed by Jack Conway also stars Florence Bates, Gail Patrick, and Jack Carson.
Manhattan Melodrama (1934) In 1935, this excellent dramatic film directed by W.S. Van Dyke won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story: Arthur Caesar. It also stars Clark Gable and Mickey Rooney playing his character's younger self.


*Contributed by: Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph Date: Sun, Jul 24 2011 / 10:04:29 PST

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®
WILLIAM POWELL (1892–1984), born William Horatio Powell
1948 Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role: LIFE WITH FATHER
1937 Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role: MY MAN GODFREY
1935 Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role: THE THIN MAN

MYRNA LOY (1905–1993), born Myrna Adele Williams
1991 Honorary Award: For her career achievement