Product: Myrna Loy & Williams Powell: Collection (2007)
Rating: 5.0
The Classiest Screen Couple in Film History
Sophistication and elegance mingled with martinis each time William Powell and Myrna Loy made a film together. Their pairing in the wonderful "The Thin Man" launched not only the finest series of enjoyable "A" class mysteries ever captured on camera, but a screen couple so wonderfully matched that their only rival was the greatest dance partners in the history of film, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.After decades of neglect, five of the couple's films outside "The Thin Man" series have been released on this truly beautiful and long awaited collection. It was given the class it deserves, everything about it as delicate and elegant as fine crystal. It slides out and opens up in four panels, lovely pictures of Powell and Loy adorning the glossy design. Even the discs look terrific, with rare photos of the pair gracing the moviegoer when they are removed for viewing.The collection itself is fabulous. "Manhattan Melodrama" uses the star power of Powell, Loy, and Clark Gable to overcome any shortcomings this crime drama might have. Though somewhat forgotten today, it is nice to have "Evelyn Prentice" included here. It is a warm and involving marital drama with a crime angle.Loy is simply fabulous as a wife and mother who has the trappings of happiness but not the man with which to share it. Urged in the wrong direction by a friend, with blackmail and a murder the outcome, it sounds much more explosive than it really is. But it is more a mature marital drama with Powell showing his love for wife Evelyn in the courtroom, where there will be enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes.The other three films could easily have been given their own collection as they seem to belong together. Each is a very funny comedy with much to recommend it. "Double Wedding" has Loy trying to stop Powell from marrying her sister, or her sister from marrying Powell. It is terribly funny and, of course, it's no surprise who really belongs together.William Powell has never been funnier and Myrna Loy has never been more lovely than in W.S. Van Dyke's "I Love You Again." Powell is a hoot and Loy is more adorable than ever in this sharp comedy. Powell gets a knock on the head and remembers he's a less than stellar fellow. But for several years he's been living an uninspired life which he's sure involves some dough. But it also involves a babe of a wife who sort of likes this new husband. You can probably fill in the blanks but it's a lot of fun getting there in this one.In "Love Crazy," marital bliss turns into hilarious chaos when Powell tries to have himself declared insane so wife Loy won't divorce him. The trouble is, it works! This is one of the great marital screwball comedies, with a great supporting cast. It's a merry mix-up, with Powell's stay at Doctor Wuthering's Rest Home a riot. Powell pretending to be his own sister and slapping around Jack Carson in a dress is not to be missed!A wonderful gift I cherish and will enjoy for years to come, this is one of the best designed boxed sets on the market. Film buffs were incredibly happy to see these hard to find films finally given a classy release. If you love film, especially classic films of the 30's and 40's, you cannot find anything better out there than this beautiful set.