This is a so-so documentary TV film made by TNT and Turner Pictures in 1990. Myrna Loy was still alive when this tribute film was made. It's surprising that it doesn't have any interviews or film clips with comments on the actress from among other actors or people in the film industry. These type of films usually have that, and I think it makes them much more interesting when cohorts and professional acquaintances weigh in on someone. Even when one knows that the producers are going to have "friendly" contributors and not enemies or negative comments.
So, this has many film snippets of Myrna Loy's career, and pretty good coverage and ranges of her work. But the dialog and narration is all done by one person, Kathleen Turner, as the host. She's just so-so in that task. It does include some later film clips of Loy's recognition and honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C. But there is very little about her background, family and childhood. After being born in Helena, Montana, she moved with her mother to Culver City, California, following her father's death. And, except for just mentioning that she had been married four times, the only other thing about her personal life was her civic service during World War II.
This was interesting, although Ms. Turner goofed and says that Loy took a five year break from Hollywood, and didn't make any films from 1941 to 1946. Loy made two films during 1941, then made "The Thin Man Goes Home" with William Powell in 1944, and then was back in Hollywood for keeps in 1946. During the war she served as assistant to the director of military and naval welfare for the Red Cross; and was a member of the U. S. Commission to UKNESCO.
This gives a good look at the range and types of films the Loy made, from her silent years through her much better sound years.
It's hard to understand why this documentary didn't includes at least a couple of film critics and/or historians for their input and comments, and perhaps a couple of actors who had worked with her in her later years.
So, this has many film snippets of Myrna Loy's career, and pretty good coverage and ranges of her work. But the dialog and narration is all done by one person, Kathleen Turner, as the host. She's just so-so in that task. It does include some later film clips of Loy's recognition and honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C. But there is very little about her background, family and childhood. After being born in Helena, Montana, she moved with her mother to Culver City, California, following her father's death. And, except for just mentioning that she had been married four times, the only other thing about her personal life was her civic service during World War II.
This was interesting, although Ms. Turner goofed and says that Loy took a five year break from Hollywood, and didn't make any films from 1941 to 1946. Loy made two films during 1941, then made "The Thin Man Goes Home" with William Powell in 1944, and then was back in Hollywood for keeps in 1946. During the war she served as assistant to the director of military and naval welfare for the Red Cross; and was a member of the U. S. Commission to UKNESCO.
This gives a good look at the range and types of films the Loy made, from her silent years through her much better sound years.
It's hard to understand why this documentary didn't includes at least a couple of film critics and/or historians for their input and comments, and perhaps a couple of actors who had worked with her in her later years.