Myrna Loy Interview (March 29, 1977)
Persons Appearing: Jean-Pierre Aumont, Myrna Loy, Loy and Aumont are interviewed separately about their touring company of the play, "Barefoot in the Park" at Atlanta's Midnight Sun Dinner Theatre. Whaley asks about Neil Simon, who he considers one of America's best playwrights. Aumont mentions his 1976 autobiography.
Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams; August 2, 1905 - December 14, 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. Trained as a dancer, Loy devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. She was originally typecast in exotic roles, often as a vamp or a woman of Asian descent, but her career prospects improved greatly following her portrayal of Nora Charles in The Thin Man (1934).[2]
Born in Helena, Montana, Loy was raised in rural Radersburg during her early childhood, before relocating to Los Angeles with her mother in her early adolescence. There, she began studying dance, and trained extensively throughout her high school education. She was discovered by production designer Natacha Rambova, who helped facilitate film auditions for her, and she began obtaining small roles in the late 1920s, mainly portraying vamps. Her role in The Thin Man helped elevate her reputation as a versatile actress, and she reprised the role of Nora Charles five more times.
Loy's performances peaked in the 1940s, with films like The Thin Man Goes Home, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. She appeared in only a few films in the 1950s, including a lead role in the comedy Cheaper by the Dozen (1950), as well as supporting parts in The Ambassador's Daughter (1956) and the drama Lonelyhearts (1958). She appeared in only eight films between 1960 and 1981, after which she retired from acting.
Although Loy was never nominated for an Academy Award, in March 1991 she received an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of her life's work both onscreen and off, including serving as assistant to the director of military and naval welfare for the Red Cross during World War II, and a member-at-large of the U.S. Commission to UNESCO. In 2009, The Guardian named her one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.[3] Loy died in December 1993 in New York City, aged 88
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When actresses knew how to speak and carry themselves in public. Myrna Loy was a treasure.
She was the most beautiful woman in all of Hollywood. IMO. She aged so fine too. Wow the world needs more Mryna Loys and less "Kart-trashians"
@MrRufusRToyota
5 ай бұрын
Agreed.
@deborahchasteen3206
18 күн бұрын
She herself would not want you to praise her by running down other women.
Wonderful woman, fantastic chemistry with William Powell in the Thin Man films.
Myrna Loy a very classy lady. The interviewer is a treasure.
Myrna Loy has always been my favorite actress of the 1930s and 1940s. This was very enjoyable.
Myrna Loy was such a versatile actress. It’s a total shame she never won an Oscar or was even nominated!
@tiaweidman
4 ай бұрын
At least she got the honorary Oscar in ‘91.
This is a woman who had taken responsibility for her live every day of her life. She supported her family since the age of 17. She never blamed or shamed anybody who may have crossed her, just became the actress that actors loved. A great reactor, an amazing human. An amazing humanitarian.
Such a fan of Myrna Loy.
This interviewer did an amazing job of letting her speak, not interrupting, and not rushing her through it. Can you imagine someone speaking for this long uninterrupted on a talk show in 2024? Impossible.
I just watched Myrna Loy with Tyrone Power in "The Rains Came" and was shocked at how well it held up after all those years (1938).
@dtaylor939
2 ай бұрын
Same here David. It was a great movie. Trump 2024
She aged so lovely
I love the low key, insightful style of the interviewer; and that he actually listens and lets her finish a sentence. And Miss Myrna Loy...always lovely, kind, and sincere. Thank you so much for this.
@JP-ve7or
Жыл бұрын
Good interviewing is becoming a lost art for sure.
@KindaLikeWater
4 ай бұрын
I so agree! I've seen two interviews with her (one with a VERY famous tv host) in which I wanted to strangle the interviewers. They kept cutting her off, and it drives me batty. This guy was the youngest of all of them and SUPERB and respectful. Fantastic.
What a lovely lady she was. All her interviews are good. This guy is excellent. I wonder where he went since 1977.
The Thin Man movies are some of my favorites.
Back in the day, Siskel, Ebert, and Whaley (and the theme from the movie "Airport-1970"!) were mandatory viewing for film buffs! Myrna Loy was a great actress, smart, and a class act.
Myrna Loy Rules. ❤❤❤
Now that was a beautifully conducted interview. Perfect.
She is LOVELY ❤
She was so incredibly classy and beautiful.
One of the things I've always liked about Myrna Loy in film was her ability to underplay. She was able to get her point across on screen without chewing the scenery, unlike so many of her contemporaries. And she was very witty. Watching any of the films she was in with William Powell is always fun, because of their chemistry.
@catofong6905
2 ай бұрын
Totally hit the nail on the head, so few actors from any generation you care to name have had that natural way about them, that is what great acting is. She seemed to have a very appealing combination of self-confidence, intelligence and insight but was never less than charming and self-deprecating. And I could listen to that voice all night (!) ❤
26:19 This subtile smile. Incredible. ❤I mean, we all know these "look at them now"-articles - and you can't believe how stars of your childhood have aged BADLY even in 20y or so. And now look at this 72y old lady. Wowzer. Classy through and through.
Love hearing her speak.
@joelwillems4081
Жыл бұрын
She started her acting career during the silent films.
Classy Lady.
Thank you for posting this. As a veteran radio host who conducted many interviews, I can tell you that THIS is how it should be done. He obviously had the arc of his questions planned in advance but left Ms. Loy the room to go where she wanted in her answers, staying out of her way. I've only just discovered Myrna Loy. I've watched four of the Thin Man movies and am currently reading her autobiography. What a talent and presence!
@KindaLikeWater
4 ай бұрын
Truly astute observation. I noticed the same thing, regarding the host. Most impressive. And such a great autobiography.
Great Interview!
I've played her seriously since The Thin Man. ♥
Rare and very interesting interview. I loved it
You have to love the fact that she drops all these names from her past not trying to gloat but just because she knew them all and was friends with many of these Hollywood Icons.
@unowen-nh9ov
8 күн бұрын
As she says in her memoirs, they were just young people starting out, they didn't know they would become legends - Gable wasn't Rhett Butler when he made a pass @ her with his wife waiting in their car. Yet they became good friends & co-🌟 s together.
@Bapakgila
8 күн бұрын
@@unowen-nh9ov Shame on me for not read her memoir yet since she was one of my favorites.
Myrna Loy was such a great humanitarian. She could play against many of the great actors and over & over again.
This is the longest real life, candid conversation that I've ever seen with Myrna. It's so wonderful! I loved her delight recalling her and Clark Gable's "crowns". Her autobiography really captured her personality too.
She would have done wonderful in a TV series. Some sort of Nora Charles character.
Myra was breathtaking ! (and i spot TWO Olivia de Havillands posters on set: Gone with the wind and Airport 77 !)
I've always loved the way she holds herself, and have wanted to follow her example.
@unowen-nh9ov
6 сағат бұрын
Trained as a dancer, modeled for life size sculpture in high school, think it still exists.
Sadly the interviewer Jim Whaley died of a heart attack at age 44 in 1992. A ywar before Myrna Low passed away. What a wonderful interview.
@rhyfeddu
20 күн бұрын
Oh, no. Hate to hear that.
The host, Jim Whaley was born in 1948. He died at the age of 44 of a heart attack in 1992.
@brenttravis4665
Жыл бұрын
How sad. Myrna Loy was 72 at the time of this interview and Jim Whaley only 29. Ms Loy passed away in December 1993, some 14 months after Mr Whaley.
@eugenefullstack7613
Ай бұрын
He did an absolutely fantastic job on this interview! He never interrupts her and let's her get her full thoughts out before adding anything. 10/10, you don't hear people with this level of attention and listening in modern culture.
A great star.
Lovely and. Interestng woman
@unowen-nh9ov
6 сағат бұрын
Her father was politician who died young, left her with lifetime interest in politics & the world, left Hollywood during WWII to volunteer for Red Cross, visited wounded veterans in hospitals with Betty Grable, went to work for UNESCO post-War, campaigned for Kennedy, fought HUAC and housing discrimination, lifetime Democrat & activist.
love the women from the golden age of hollywood.
After experiencing a lifetime of trashy American culture, listening to her talk is like hearing an angel speak.
Due to an abortion early in her life, Loy was never able to have children of her own. Joan Crawford as well. Loy called Christina Crawford, a liar that the abuse never happened. I didn’t know Myrna Loy was living in the Crawford home. She wasn’t living in the Crawford home, so how does she know the abuse wasn’t happening? Back in the day Myrna Loy was one of my favorites, but after reading that I lost all respect for her.
@hcombs0104
2 ай бұрын
Myrna Loy had the great misfortune of working with Christina Crawford on stage in Barefoot in the Park. She said she was petulant, wouldn't take stage directions, and was a total nightmare to work with. Myrna Loy obviously had insights to Ms. Crawford's personality. Myrna Loy was a very loyal friend to Joan Crawford.
@LJ-ht4zs
21 күн бұрын
Actually, not only loving her in movies and appreciating her leaving Hollywood and joining the Red Cross and doing much for the WWII efforts. However, I actually never like Joan Crawford - had serious alcohol problems and seemed unstable. How would Myrna Loy state that Christina Crawford was a liar - she did not live there. (I agree) While standing up for her friend - she should have suggested to Joan getting help with her alcoholism.
@rhyfeddu
20 күн бұрын
Well, Loy certainly knew the Crawfords better than you did. What makes *you* so sure?
@LJ-ht4zs
11 күн бұрын
@@rhyfeddu I am only sure that Joan Crawford was an alcoholic - Myrna Loy could have been helpful to her friend, Joan, by suggesting she go to AA or a treatment program. I don't think Ms Loy adopted any children, but some stars like Barbara Stanwyck did. When she got a divorced she became totally disinterested in her adopted son, even tried to give him back to the agency. (he was too old) left him no money, did not care what happened to him and behaved disgustingly. Stanwyck was much admired as an actress but this behavior of her was revolting. Her adopted son was totally devastated. So both of these "stars" earn an F in my books. Actually rarely saw their films and after learning about their misparental behavior - never will.
@unowen-nh9ov
8 күн бұрын
@@LJ-ht4zsAfter working with young Stephen Spielberg, Crawford retired & became a recluse. She became a 🌟 young & remained so for the next half century, you don't do that by being alcoholic, let alone maintain your figure & looks (that's how she & Loy met, they both began as dancers in the chorus of silent film, before they even had their stage names).