This post is written in conjunction with the Summer Under the Stars Blogathon hosted by Michael at Scribe Hard On Film and Jill at Sittin' On A Backyard Fence.
On August 2nd TCM honors legendary actress Myrna Loy with a full day of her films. Here is a showcase of my personal favorite Myrna Loy films that will be showing on TCM this Thursday. What are your favorite Myrna Loy films? Are you excited to watch a Myrna Loy film you have been wanting to see for a long time? I'd love to hear your thoughts about this fabulous performer!
LIBELED LADY (1936)
This romantic comedy directed by Jack Conway also stars William Powell (with whom Loy made 14 films), Spencer Tracy, and Jean Harlow. A classic newspaper story with a lot of laughs.
When teen-age Susan (Shirley Temple) falls head over heals in love with playboy artist Dick (Cary Grant), big sister Margaret (Loy) tries to intervene, inadvertently (and reluctantly) falling for Dick herself. I love Loy in this picture because she plays a female judge - and that's just cool. Her name is also Margaret - and that's just FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!
Another picture with Cary Grant, this film also stars Melvyn Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Blandings (Grant and Loy) make infinite renovations to a house in the country. Their pursuit of their dream house turns into a nightmare as they invest more and more money into a house that doesn't seem to want to be built!
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)
This post-WWII movie was directed by William Wyler and co-stars Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and Virginia Mayo. Three returning service men struggle to readjust to civilian family life and business in middle America. The film won seven Oscars, including an honorary award for Harold Russell "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance." Russell lost both his hands while working with explosives during WWII.
THE THIN MAN (1934)
Undoubtedly Myrna Loy's most popular screen character as Nora Charles, half of husband and wife sleuthing team of the Thin Man series. This is the first of six movies in that series, and it's probably my favorite. Even when their tight and high as kite, Nick and Nora make the classiest detectives I've ever seen!
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (1950)
Not to be confused with the sub-standard Steve Martin version, the film, and the story it was based on, is a classic family flick. This comedy/drama was directed by Walter Lang and costarred Clifton Webb and Jeanne Crain. Based on the real life story of the Gilbreth family, two efficiency engineers and their brood of 12 children! I highly recommend this book and it's sequel, BELLES ON THEIR TOES, which was also made into a movie (1952) with Myrna Loy reprising her role as Mrs. Gilbreth.
I hope you enjoy these films and many more on Myrna Loy day on TCM! If you are interested in purchasing any of these movies for your personal collection, feel free to follow the links below to Amazon!
Thanks so much for this great post on the fabulous films of Myrna that will be shown tomorrow! I'm so excited--my DVR is all set to record virtually all day! In the words of the author of the newest Myrna Loy biography, when she signed my copy of her book when it first came out,"Viva Myrna Loy!"
ReplyDeleteLara
I know - I'm so psyched! I second that motion!
DeleteI love Myrna Loy in everything I have ever seen of hers, but my favorites will always be the "Thin Man" movies, Double Wedding, Libeled Lady, Wife Vs. Secretary, Mr. Blandings and Best Years Of Our Lives. I have Broadway Bill waiting for me and hope to get to it soon. Great post! Long live Myrna!
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen Wife vs. Secretary yet, but it's been on my list for a long time. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteOne of my all-time favs is Mr Blandings Builds his Dream House! I could watch her movies all day long -- guess I will tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan!
DeleteOh my, I totally forgot that she's in Cheaper by the Dozen! Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great movie - and one of my favorite books, too!
DeleteGreat breakdown of so many of the wonderful Loy films featured in day 2 of Summer Under The Stars! Great review, Margaret!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteGreat! Here in Brazil not many movies of Myrna are shown, but I totally love her. I've read the book The Thin Man and watched the two first movies of the series. Another movie with Myrna that I adore is Manhattan melodrama. I must watch Libeled Lady now!
ReplyDeleteKisses!
Manhattan Melodrama is also one of my favorites. I think that was one of the first films she and William Powell made together. Good choice!
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ReplyDeleteLove Myrna Loy. Have you ever read her autobiography? It's not easy to find, but it's worth the searching, she's super cool.
ReplyDeleteI think I found it on Amazon but I haven't had a chance to read it yet - looking forward to it though, thanks for the tip!
DeleteThanks for including Cheaper by the Dozen. It was my first exposure to Myrna Loy when I was a kid so I will always have a soft spot for it. How sad that today's moviegoers don't know the Steve Martin version is a remake! I imagine kids today would still respond to the original.
ReplyDeleteI know, it's tragic. I mean, Lindsay Lohan?! Really?! At least WE know of the original!
DeleteMellow Greetings! Ukee Dukee! Although I have both "The Bachelor & the Bobby Soxer" and "Mr Blandings..." on DVD, I have to watch everytime that they are shown. I can't understand how Cary Grant's comedic acting genius was so under appreciated. I remember when I was about 8 or 9 years old after watching this movie, my sister and I begged our parents to take them up on their offer and go see them in Connecticut (we lived in NYC so it was possible). I was so disheartened when the realization finally came one day that they weren't a real family living in CT.
ReplyDeleteAw, what a sweet story! It's funny how movies affect us when we're young (or not so young)! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteMargaret--
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! Every single film on your list is a favorite of mine, especially The Best Years of Our Lives .
Thanks for the contribution to the blogathon!
Thank you. We must be kindred spirits!
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