William Powell and Myrna Loy

William Powell (1892–1984) and Myrna Loy (1905–1993) starred in 13 movies together in the 1930s and '40s. (Loy also had an uncredited cameo in their 14th and last film together, The Senator Was Indiscreet, which starred Powell.)

Loy and Powell (and the dog Skippy) in a promotional photo for The Thin Man.

Their frequent pairing - always playing a couple - and on-screen chemistry, especially in their six popular Thin Man films, where they played husband and wife Nick and Nora Charles, led many fans to believe they were married in real life.[1] However, they were only good friends.[2] In a 1988 interview, she explained, "I think we were too much alike for a romance."[2]

Powell was already a well-established leading man in Hollywood prior to their teaming, dating back to the silent era, but it was the great success of The Thin Man that made Loy a star.[1][2] She almost did not get the role. Louis B. Mayer had already cast her in Stamboul Quest, and only agreed to let her play Nora Charles if the picture could be shot in three weeks.[2] Director W. S. "One Take Woody" Van Dyke only needed 16 days for shooting and two for retakes.[2] A B movie, The Thin Man was a box office and critical hit.

Filmography
YearTitleRolesDirectorRef
PowellLoy
1934Manhattan MelodramaJim WadeEleanor PackerW. S. Van Dyke[3]
1934The Thin ManNick CharlesNora CharlesW. S. Van Dyke[4]
1934Evelyn PrenticeJohn PrenticeEvelyn PrenticeWilliam K. Howard[5]
1936The Great ZiegfeldFlorenz Ziegfeld, Jr.Billie BurkeRobert Z. Leonard[6]
1936Libeled LadyBill ChandlerConnie AllenburyJack Conway[7]
1936After the Thin ManNick CharlesNora CharlesW. S. Van Dyke[8]
1937Double WeddingCharlie LodneMargit AgnewRichard Thorpe[9]
1939Another Thin ManNick CharlesNora CharlesW. S. Van Dyke[10]
1940I Love You AgainLarry Wilson/George CareyKay WilsonW. S. Van Dyke[11]
1941Love CrazySteve IrelandSusan IrelandJack Conway[12]
1941Shadow of the Thin ManNick CharlesNora CharlesW. S. Van Dyke[13]
1945The Thin Man Goes HomeNick CharlesNora CharlesRichard Thorpe[14]
1947Song of the Thin ManNick CharlesNora CharlesEdward Buzzell[15]
1947The Senator Was IndiscreetSenator Melvin G. AshtonMrs. Melvin G. AshtonGeorge S. Kaufman[16]

References
  1. Robert Fulford (September 13, 2011). "Nick and Nora's Infinite Marriage". National Post.
  2. Karen Heller (January 10, 1988). "Loy Looks Back". Chicago Tribune.
  3. "Manhattan Melodrama". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  4. "The Thin Man". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  5. "Evelyn Prentice". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  6. "The Great Ziegfeld". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  7. "Libeled Lady". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  8. "After the Thin Man". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  9. "Double Wedding". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  10. "Another Thin Man". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  11. "I Love You Again". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  12. "Love Crazy". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  13. "Shadow of the Thin Man". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  14. "The Thin Man Goes Home". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  15. "Song of the Thin Man". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  16. "The Senator Was Indiscreet". American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved November 18, 2020.
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