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

[@direfranchement]

When actresses knew how to speak and carry themselves in public. Myrna Loy was a treasure.

[@ramoncarrerajr.3052]

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]

Agreed.

[@sallysson]

Such a fan of Myrna Loy.

[@dubbelhenke854]

Myrna Loy a very classy lady. The interviewer is a treasure.

[@Bapakgila]

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.

[@hyweljthomas]

Wonderful woman, fantastic chemistry with William Powell in the Thin Man films.

[@26beegee]

Myrna Loy has always been my favorite actress of the 1930s and 1940s. This was very enjoyable.

[@DAVEJJR]

Myrna Loy was such a versatile actress. It’s a total shame she never won an Oscar or was even nominated!

[@tiaweidman]

At least she got the honorary Oscar in ‘91.

[@bathtangle]

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.

[@jacquelinelarsen6159]

She aged so lovely

[@DavidN369]

Myrna Loy Rules. ❤❤❤

[@saucierspoons]

She was so incredibly classy and beautiful.

[@GA-1st]

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.

[@davidbennett9691]

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]

Same here David. It was a great movie. Trump 2024

[@stayinalive9434]

She is LOVELY ❤

[@eugenefullstack7613]

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.

[@dhope390]

The Thin Man movies are some of my favorites.

[@voyaristika5673]

What a lovely lady she was. All her interviews are good. This guy is excellent. I wonder where he went since 1977.

[@johnfd0210]

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]

Good interviewing is becoming a lost art for sure.

[@KindaLikeWater]

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.

[@hcombs0104]

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]

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 (!) ❤

[@WOMENOFTROY]

Now that was a beautifully conducted interview. Perfect.

[@JSB1882]

Myrna Loy was such a great humanitarian. She could play against many of the great actors and over & over again.

[@Ellasboy]

Classy Lady.

[@kimclark5736]

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]

Truly astute observation. I noticed the same thing, regarding the host. Most impressive. And such a great autobiography.

[@Susq15]

I've always loved the way she holds herself, and have wanted to follow her example.

[@BadGuyRants]

Love hearing her speak.

[@joelwillems4081]

She started her acting career during the silent films.

[@el_loote]

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.

[@qwj68boots]

Great Interview!

[@qbak22]

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.

[@perrycomeau2627]

I've played her seriously since The Thin Man. ♥

[@josephososkie3029]

She would have done wonderful in a TV series. Some sort of Nora Charles character.

[@c.d.6004]

Rare and very interesting interview. I loved it

[@paulmaloney9188]

Myra was breathtaking ! (and i spot TWO Olivia de Havillands posters on set: Gone with the wind and Airport 77 !)

[@Riogi]

The host, Jim Whaley was born in 1948. He died at the age of 44 of a heart attack in 1992.

[@brenttravis4665]

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]

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.

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

Lovely and. Interestng woman

[@RubenDario-hr4iq]

A great star.

[@eugenefullstack7613]

After experiencing a lifetime of trashy American culture, listening to her talk is like hearing an angel speak.

[@gingermurray]

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]

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.