Product: Myrna Loy & Williams Powell: Collection (2007)
Rating: 3.0
popular pair for a reason
William Powell and Myrna Loy were paired together for eleven films: the six Thin Man movies (available in their own collection)and these five. They had good rapport, and people enjoyed them in a variety of settings. Admittedly, Myrna Loy frequently played 'straight man' to Powell's mischieviosity. In the commentary to the Thin Man series, it says that by the last film she was eager to do more serious 'topical' roles. And certainly her Nora doesn't get to play to her (Loy's) potential.In this group of five films, stories unrelated to each other, we frequently see her in a more serious character, whether in melodrama or comedy. The mobster's-moll-turned-reformer's-wife in "Manhattan Melodrama" is serious, but not one of her better performances. Or perhaps the intervening sixty-five plus years have changed sensibilities enough that it is hard for us today to consider 'melodrama' well done! While Loy may have wanted to take on serious issues, her performances shine in comedy. And she may have realized that 'issues' can be addressed through a palatable comedy without the heavy-handed approach of melodrama.Each disk also contains extras -- a bit different variety on each disk: a radio broadcast version of the film (of least interest to me), period cartoons, and shorts or 'public information' films. It is hard to tell from today's perspective if the short accompanying 'Manhattan Melodrama' on the evils and social degradation of slot machines is meant to be tongue in cheek humor or serious morality tale. I suspect the latter, but today it seems outrageous. Quite a contrast is the short 'Dancing on the Ceiling' in which a man follows a woman into a dentist's office, only to find the entire staff is made up of women who use laughing gas on their patients and engage in strange fantasies with them while under the influence.Of the five films represented "I Love you Again" is my favorite, though that may be due to greater familiarity. It is the only one I had found to purchase (on VHS) before this set was released. But it still seems to have a story line and banter that has the best timing and the fewest elements that take you out of the story to say 'boy, this was really made a long time ago!'.Not every film is magic. But it is a good thing to have this set available so that -- despite their mixed qualities -- we can still enjoy the Powell-Loy pairing.