Manhattan Melodrama (1934) : William Powell and Myrna Loy unveil their unique sparkle and rapport, sharing the screen in the first of their 14 non-cameo features. Rugged Clark Gable, in his only movie with urbane Powell, has first billing in this famed Oscar® winning (for Best Original Story) delight about childhood friends who end up on opposite sides of the law, and in love with the same woman. Gable's character is a big-time gangster, and Powell a D.A. vying for Governorship. Adding to the cachet is the fact that real-life gangster (and reputed big-time Myrna Loy fan) John Dillinger was gunned down as he left a Chicago theater after seeing this movie.
Evelyn Prentice (1934): Myrna Loy, known for her portrayals of the perfect wife, is all too fallible as Evelyn Prentice, starring with William Powell in their first film together after the phenomenal success of The Thin Man. This heady courtroom melodrama boasts a slick murder-mystery plot, New York-minute pacing and the screen debut of someone soon to join Powell and Loy in the pantheon of Hollywood stardom: Rosalind Russell.
Nancy Harrison (Russell) stands trial for the murder of her lover. Prominent defense attorney John Prentice (Powell) has one chance to save her from the chair: find the unknown society woman who shared the womanizing victim's attentions, and may have pulled the trigger herself. What the workaholic attorney doesn't know is that the woman he's hunting is his own neglected wife (Loy).
Double Wedding (1937): Domineering big sister Margit Agnew likes to be in total control, even over her sister Irene's love life. Having planned all the details of Irene's wedding to milquetoast fiancé Waldo, she is appalled to learn that Irene has plans of her own, which doesn't include marrying Waldo. Instead, Irene's intentions are to wed beret-wearing bohemian Charlie Lodge, who lives in a trailer and cares nothing about money. Can Margit save her sister from an altered state? Well, since Myrna Loy plays Margit and William Powell plays Charlie, film fans just might guess who ends up bride and groom.
I Love You Again (1940): W.S. Van Dyke II, director of four of the six Thin Man films, helms the capricious fun in this romantic comedy. Boring, prosperous Larry Wilson (Powell) receives a blow to the head while he's on a cruise, and totally forgets who he is. When he comes to, he realizes he's really con man George Carey, who's been suffering from amnesia for nine years. Not one to pass up a swindle, Carey decides to continue to pose as the wealthy Wilson, clean out his bank account and skip town. Along the way, he'll need to use his sly charm on his wife Kay (Loy), who's tired of the staid Larry she's been living with and wants a divorce. Complications ensue, of course, especially when Kay begins to warm to this new side of her old spouse. And, not surprisingly, the two find that love may indeed be better the second time around.
Love Crazy (1941): Myrna Loy joins Powell for a certifiably loony romp that showcases both stars at their madcap best. They play Susan and Steve Ireland, a happily married couple who let a series of complications during their 4th anniversary celebration put the kibosh on their wedded bliss. Susan files for divorce, and Steve opts to halt the proceedings by feigning insanity, even if it means playing 'horsie' with a gardener's rake or posing in drag as his own sister. If you're looking for screw loose screwball comedy, this is it.
