“Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House”

Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas in “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (RKO, 1948)

“Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (RKO, 1948). Building a home never is and never was easy. In this great comedy, Mr. Blandings (expertly played by Cary Grant), his wife (played by the wonderful Myrna Loy), and their two daughters are living in a cramped Manhattan apartment. After a visit to Connecticut, they decide to buy a charming yet decrepid estate. Nothing goes right from start to finsh, not to mention extra challenges thrown at Mr. Blandings from his employer to suspicions of inpropriety with his wife and their lawyer (played by Melvyn Douglas). A really fun movie and an interesting treatise on the so-called “American Dream.” Based on the novel by Eric Hodgins. Written for the screen by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank. Directed by H.C. Potter. “It’s a conspiracy, I tell you–against every boy and girl who were ever in love.”

“The Thin Man”

Myrna Loy and William Powell play Nick and Nora Charles in “The Thin Man” (MGM, 1934)

“The Thin Man” (MGM, 1934). After a friend disappears and becomes the primary suspect in a murder case, retired detective Nick Charles (played by William Powell), his socialite wife Nora Charles (played by Myrna Loy), and their dog Asta work together to solve the case. This comedic mystery shines with its great script, solid direction, and excellent acting by William Powell and Myrna Loy. Film critic Roger Ebert said it best: “William Powell is to dialogue as Fred Astaire is to dance. His delivery is so droll and insinuating, so knowing and innocent at the same time, that it hardly matters what he’s saying.” Powell and Loy went on to make five more “Thin Man” films. Great stuff. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett. Written by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich. Directed by W.S. Van Dyke. “Oh, Nicky, I love you because you know such lovely people.”