Myrna Loy and William Powell
Credit: Public Domain | ©Public Domain
There is perhaps no movie duo more enduring or loveable than that of William Powell and Myrna Loy, made famous and best known as Nick and Nora Charles in the Thin Man series. There was an unsurpassable chemistry between them on-screen, and even off, that made them unforgettable to audiences of the 1930's to today.
William Powell had begun his acting career in the silent film era, but it wasn't until he was cast as the retired detective, and excessive drinker, Nick Charles in The Thin Man (1934) that he was able to display his talent for sophisticated wit and charm along with goofy charisma.
Myrna Loy, who had also begun in silent films in minor vixen roles, made a simultaneous breakthrough as Nora Charles, the perfect little wife in The Thin Man. With a flavor of snobbery, Loy portrayed a sweet, but adventure seeking rich girl who is eternally at her husband's side, no matter how screwy or scary the circumstances.
The Thin Man was the second movie to star Powell and Loy, the first being Manhattan Melodrama (1934). It was also intended to be a B movie, but was a surprising success that would spawn five more Thin Man movies, as well as a sum of fourteen movies that paired Powell and Loy together.
While on screen, Powell and Loy could flawlessly portray people who are hopelessly in love and the best of friends as they could act out a dramatic scene fit for tears, or a gag of playful banter and witty one lines. By watching a mere two minute scene one can easily see why they were so successful as a team.
Of screen, they were very good friends. As far as a romantic relationship went, they were always involved with other people, any possible romance between the two is left to speculation. I believe (contrary to many others) that there is such thing as a friendship between a man and woman without romantic inclinations. But that's just me.
Myrna Loy was once quoted as saying, "I never enjoyed my work more than when I worked with William Powell. He was a brilliant actor, a delightful companion, a great friend and, above all, a true gentleman."
William Powell had begun his acting career in the silent film era, but it wasn't until he was cast as the retired detective, and excessive drinker, Nick Charles in The Thin Man (1934) that he was able to display his talent for sophisticated wit and charm along with goofy charisma.
Myrna Loy, who had also begun in silent films in minor vixen roles, made a simultaneous breakthrough as Nora Charles, the perfect little wife in The Thin Man. With a flavor of snobbery, Loy portrayed a sweet, but adventure seeking rich girl who is eternally at her husband's side, no matter how screwy or scary the circumstances.
The Thin Man was the second movie to star Powell and Loy, the first being Manhattan Melodrama (1934). It was also intended to be a B movie, but was a surprising success that would spawn five more Thin Man movies, as well as a sum of fourteen movies that paired Powell and Loy together.
While on screen, Powell and Loy could flawlessly portray people who are hopelessly in love and the best of friends as they could act out a dramatic scene fit for tears, or a gag of playful banter and witty one lines. By watching a mere two minute scene one can easily see why they were so successful as a team.
Of screen, they were very good friends. As far as a romantic relationship went, they were always involved with other people, any possible romance between the two is left to speculation. I believe (contrary to many others) that there is such thing as a friendship between a man and woman without romantic inclinations. But that's just me.
Myrna Loy was once quoted as saying, "I never enjoyed my work more than when I worked with William Powell. He was a brilliant actor, a delightful companion, a great friend and, above all, a true gentleman."
In a poll, Myrna Loy and Clark Gable were deemed the most popular actors and named "King and Queen of the Movies." William Powell made it to number 4. Loy later received a box full of sour grapes. The card read "Congratulations, from William the Fourth."
RELATED CONTENT
Comments
You have me interested. I will have to look into them now.
They had such an amazing, fun chemistry!
Comments 1 - 2 (of 2)
NOW SHOWING
A-List Actresses
A-List Actors
|
|