The Thin Man goes home

 About Me

Alan Place

                                                 Yorkshire 

The title of this Thin Man movie, reminds me of the time I returned to Yorkshire, in 1974, the year after my grandfather died.

There is a big difference in our reception though, Nick was able to please his father. The only thing I got praise for was joining the Royal Air Force, the following year. That I think was more so my parents could have their lives back for six years, as I learned later, I wasn't wanted

The Myrna Loy Phallacy

 John Dillinger

The Thin Man 

For decades, there has been a story spread by Hollywood, that John Dillinger was lured to his death, by a lady in a red dress as he entered the Biograph Cinema to see a Myrna Loy film.

It is part fact, but a lot of Hollywood hype.

Facts

He was lured to the cinema to see a film.

The lady was wearing a red dress.

Fiction

The film did NOT feature Myrna Loy, at the time of the shooting she was appearing in The Thin Man series with William Powell

Shadow of the Thin Man

 I am a shadow of my former self

The Thin man

Myrna Loy

I am a shadow of my former self, partially from a different style of cooking, and partially from a limpoma on my neck.

I am not bothered, I was overweight before, and being lighter means I am not such an issue for my friend, Svitlana, in Didcot, Oxfordshire to cope with.

Another Thin Man

Hollywood Mysteries

William Powell 

Myrna Loy 

The romances of William Powell read like a Thin Man mystery. His first wife was Carole Lombard, but though they loved each other, they were different personalities. He loved her until she died. She went on to marry Clark Gable, and died in a plane crash that haunted both men.

His second wife was Jean Harlow, she died of blood poisoning, probably from the bleach used to keep her blonde hair shining for the camera. Her first husband was Paul Bern, a director who could make a star with one phone call, he died in a way that has never been certified. The official verdict is suicide, in those days, you phoned the studio before the police. Mr. Bern left a cryptic note for his wife of three months, and he also had a wife he'd put in an asylum. Some people think she killed him as a lady like got on a ferry, but didn't get off. Jean died only 5 months after her first husband.

This is another shirt from the Hollywood Mysteries Store.

Character is more impressive than beauty

 Hollywood Glamour

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

My Blonde Bombshell

It may appear I have a "thing" for blonde actresses, that is not true. Two of the ladies I consider most attractive in Hollywood, were not blondes, Jane Russell, and Ava Gardner. Then you have Myrna Loy, who was a bit like Kay Francis, beautiful to look at, and dress, but a lightweight actress, unlike Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich , or Mae West. Other non-blondes I enjoy watching include Gina Lollobigida, Paulette Goddard, Carolyn Jones, and Dame Diana Rigg to name a few.

I didn't mention Marilyn Munroe as I have no opinion either way. She was attractive, but I didn't like her films. I didn't mention Brigette Bardot as I didn't enjoy har films, other than Viva Maria with Jeanne Moreau,  I watched the film for Jeanne, more than than Brigette, For me, BB got more attractive as she aged, and the attention was on her, not her breasts. I didn't mention Sophia Loren, there are few men who don't consider her a beauty, even now.

Some people class Audrey Hepburn and Claudia Cardinale as attractive, as they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  I class both as unattractive, and lightweight in acting. Claudia almost caused a film to be shut down - The red tent - there are othes ladies, my list is endless, and the debate over beauty is NEVER ended.

One blonde I can end on is Mamie van Doren, I can only say I heard her name in passing, without using Google, I cannot name a film she was in.

Movie NIghts

 Shanghai Express

                                                Film Noir evenings

I'll end the day with the Film Noir, Murder my Sweet starring Dick Powell, Claire Trevor, and Anne Shirley. The film was later released as The Big Sleep

I didn't see a film last night (16th July), so I will see the fim tonight. The Glass Key featuring Alan Ladd, and Veronica Lake.

After the drama of last night, I think my film for tonight will be Man of the World, with Carole Lombard, and William Powell.

They were married not long after this film came otu, though thier marriage lasted only two years, they remained friends until Carol died in a plane crash, William atteded her funeral, in 1942.

I am ending this evening with the Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, and James Stewart film, Wife versus Secretary.

There is a double link to the last film, at the time of their deaths, Caorle Lombard was married to Clark Gable, and Jean Harlow was married to William Powell. Jean was the original "blonde bombshell.

We're not dressing

I shall be honest, this film would have been almost impossible for me to enjoy. A Bing Crosby musical, is one of my least favourite movies, which is why I didn't enjoy the "Road" series, though I can watch Bob Hope films for hours.

I like the comedy of George Burns, and his wife Gracie Allan is a very good singer, all told, I am not a fan of musicals.

Hands across the table

I shall watch "Hands across the table" with Carole Lombard, Fred MacMurray, and silent icon Marie Provost tonight, this is more like a film I could enjoy. I saw Fred in the classic Film Noir, Double Indemnity, with Barbara Stanwyck a few months ago.

This gun for hire

After the glamour and romance of Myrna Loy, Carole Lombard, and Jean Harlow, tonight's addition is the Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake classic, This gun for hire.

China seas

I am ending the evening by watching the Clark Gable - Jean Harlow film, China seas. The lady in the centre is Rosalind Russell, this is the first film with her in I will  have seen

After the Thin Man

Libeled Lady

William Powell and Myrna Loy 

This evening's films will both feature William Powell and Myrna Loy, they lead cast for After the Thin Man, with a young James Stewart in a minor role. After that, I shall watch Libeled Lady where they appear with Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy.

What a choice!

 Jean Harlow

Myrna Loy

In the movie, Wife versus Secretary, the ravishing Myrna Loy plays a wife who is concerned her husband played by Clark Gable is having an affair with his secretary, played by Jean Harlow.

Myrna Loy is recalled as the wife in The Thin Man series with Jean Harlow's husband, William Powell.

Clark Gable's wife, Carol Lombard, died in a plane crash in 1942, one theory is she flew back, instead of catching the train as she thought Clark was having an affair with Lana Turner.

Miss Lombard, and Mr. Powell appeared together in the film My man Godfrey.