The Films of Myrna Loy

This gem was originally published by Citadel Press in 1980 to coincide with Loy's 75th birhday. As the author states in the opening passage '...this diamond anniversary is a fitting time to recapitulate her extraordinairy life and her unique contribution to films.'. It is obvious from this statement that Quirk is an avid admireer of Loy's and that this book should not let her down in any way. The opening chapter is a brief biography charting Loy's childhood in Montana, her early years in Hollywood, her star years at MGM, her UNESCO days and her latter years as a character actress and features many wonderful and candid shots of Myrna dated from 1905 to 1980. Then starting on page 31 is a comprehensive list of all of her film appearances from 1925 onwards featuring cast and crew listings and the author's own essay (not to mention some great black and white stills). All of her classic roles are here, from her days as a chorus girl extra in 'Pretty Ladies' to Alan King's long suffering secratery in 1979's 'Just Tell Me What You Want'. Of course the last years of Loy's life are not included - she made her last screen appearance in the 1981 TV film 'Summer Solstice' and had her autobiography published in 1987. She was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1988 and finally won a much deserved special oscar early in 1991, less than three years before her death in December 1993. This makes a fitting tribute to a wonderful lady who became a great Hollywood star and humanitarian.

Another gem in the Citadel film series, this was originally published in 1980 to coincide with Loy's seventy-fifth birthday. As the author states in the opening passage 'this diamond anniversary is a fitting time to recapitulate her extraordinairy life and her unique contribution to films'; you can tell from this statement that Quirk is an avid admirer of Loy's and that this book will not let her down in any way. The opening chapter is a brief biography charting Loy's childhood in Montana, through her star years at MGM, her UNESCO days and her latter years as a character actress and features many wonderful and candid shots of Myrna dated fronm 1905 to 1980. Then starting on page 31 is a comprehensive list of all her film appearances from 1925 onwards featuring cast and crew listing and the author's own essay (not to mention some great black and white stills). All of her classic roles are here from her days as an extra in 'Pretty Ladies' in 1925 to 'Just Tell Me What You Want' in 1980. Of course the last years of Loy's life are not included - she made her last screen appearance in the 1981 TV film 'Summer Solstice' and published her autobiography in 1987 before she finally won a much deserved special oscar in 1991 less than three years before her death in December 1993. This is a fitting tribute to a lady who became a great Hollywood star and humanitarian.