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August 12, 2007
Best of the Jewish Blogosphere #129 Plus Myrna Loy
Taking a break from my script.
Who better to spend time with than the great Myrna Loy. This firecracker of an actress starred in some of Hollywood's greatest screwball comedies. The Thin Man series, are classics.
But here's a secret, Myrna Loy always said that her very favorite film was Test Pilot. She co-stars with Clark Cable and Spencer Tracy.
And oh my, this film is a gem. The boy meets girl stuff between Loy and Gable just goes right through me. I'm sitting on the couch watching, Karen's working on a psych report and every once in a while the dialog is so brilliant I just gasp, really loudly, and Karen murmurs: “Good, stuff, huh?”
I shake my head, humbled.
And Loy's outfits — as my wardrobe design people would say: “To die for.” No cleavage. No cheap peeks. In those days stars were taught how to wear well tailored pieces.
I cannot think of a contemporary actress who projects the wit, elegance, sensuality, strength, intelligence and vulnerability of Myrna Loy. In truth, with all the feminist ideology out there, and with all the ahem, progressive strides made by women in Hollywood, women had far better roles in the 30's and 40's.
You must see Test Pilot.
I also strongly recommend another Myrna Loy, Clark Gable pairing, Too Hot to Handle.
And do catch Libeled Lady, with Myrna Loy, Gene Harlow, William Powell, and Spencer Tracy. This is a fine but little known screwball comedy.
Anywhoo.
This brings us to Haveil Havelim #129 The Once and Future Edition, lovingly collected and posted by my buddy (yes, we met in person, shared slices of pizza) Jack of Random Thoughts.
But it's the minhag, the tradition, for Seraphic Secret to rename Haveil Havalim in honor of a great Hollywood icon. And in the process, pass on some useless Hollywood lore and maybe get one or two Seraphic Friends to watch a really wonderful obscure movie. G-d knows, most of the stuff we're producing is barely worth a glance.
And so: Haveil Havelim #129 The Myrna Loy Edition
We'd like to thank Jack for including two of our posts: Jihad in Brooklyn, and Hollywood Appeasement, Hollywood anti-Semitism in this edition.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at August 12, 2007 12:11 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
I loved The Thin Man! I can't think of many actresses working today who have the same kind of assurance, femininity, and intelligence as Loy had. Many of them seem like little girls by comparison.
Posted by: Tamara at August 12, 2007 02:38 PM
These, feminity, assurance and intelligence, were certainly what Loy always projected. And in contrast to today's lead ladies she never appeared to be 'working' it to prove that really, I am feminine, assured and intelligent. She simply was. Very unassuming and unaware of her own charms...on screen anyway.
Posted by: Dana at August 12, 2007 03:39 PM
I love the old movies - fun and great clothes. How is it that they were somehow able to make good films without nudity, bad language and violence?
MH
Posted by: mata hari at August 12, 2007 05:24 PM
"How is it that they were somehow able to make good films without nudity, bad language and violence?"
Because there were things that the collective populous refused to compromise on and refused to give in to, like moral standards and ethical highground.
What strange days those must have been, eh?
Posted by: Dana at August 12, 2007 06:53 PM
Tamara:
Yes, the actresses working today do seem like girls and not women. And as for elegance, fuggedabout it.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 12, 2007 06:54 PM
Dana:
Loy, and many other great female stars, worked long and hard in the grueling Hollywood system. They learned how to project charm, self-assurance and sensuality. They were also proud of being desirable women.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 12, 2007 07:02 PM
I had the joy of watching The Libeled Lady last night on TCM. It came on at 9:00pm. I love her in the The Thin Man series.
The movies from the 30's to the 60's have a timelessness about them.
Posted by: seawitch at August 12, 2007 07:34 PM
Thanks for bringing these movies to our attention. They don't make 'em like they used to! I'll certainly look for them!
Posted by: Yael at August 12, 2007 07:57 PM
Seawitch:
TCM is a great resource for the movie lover. Our DVR is, at the moment filled with about 15 movies that we have recorded from TCM and which I will screen over the next few days.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 12, 2007 08:51 PM
Yael:
You're very welcome. It's a joy for me to share my love of of movies with our Seraphic Friends.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 12, 2007 08:53 PM
That was a very pleasant meal. We have do it again.
Posted by: Jack at August 12, 2007 09:34 PM
Jack:
I had a great time. You were very patient with all my questions. Yasher koach on the great Haveil Havelim — Myrna Loy Edition.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 12, 2007 11:27 PM
I loved the Thin Man - got to rent all of them some day.
I think my favorite actress of that era is Irene Dunn. a great comedienne but very subtle.
Posted by: Yehudit at August 19, 2007 08:18 PM
Yehudit:
Irene Dunne is in my favorite screwball comedy: "My Favorite Wife." She was a great, great actress. She was also a very religious Catholic, went to Mass every day, and maintained a solid private life. No scandals.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 20, 2007 07:25 AM