everything's going to be dandy wandy

A LOT of old films lately. My brain is full of dialog and sarcasm.

Evelyn Prentice (1934) - "John Prentice (William Powell) is a successful attorney who often overlooks his wife, Evelyn (Myrna Loy), as he flirts with other women. When Nancy Harrison (Rosalind Russell), a lovely young client, distracts John, Evelyn takes her own steps towards an affair. However, the man interested in Evelyn turns out to be a criminal, and, in a frantic state, she shoots him. Soon, John is brought on to the case, but suspicions point away from Evelyn. Will she admit her involvement?"
source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: I want to see all of the Powell/Loy films
IMDB: 6.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 58%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "'Marriage has changed you a lot, Evelyn. You used to have plenty of zip and bounce and now you're so ... oh, so good and bounceless. Does your husband beat you?'

    'No, I wish he did. He'd have to be home to do it.'"

MPAA rating: Passed

directed by: William K. Howard

my notes: I liked this one. It is kind of moody and thoughtful - and Powell's character is more nuanced than in The Thin Man series. Una Merkel is great as Evelyn's best friend Amy, gorgeous and snappy. The bad guy is so clearly a bad guy, though, that there's not much for Evelyn to do. Still...
overall:  recommended

Wimbledon (2004) - "Frustrated at his own failures and disillusioned with professional sports, tennis player Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) resolves to retire from competition and become an instructor at an exclusive private club. But when Colt receives a surprise wild-card berth in Wimbledon, he can't help but enter the tournament. Soon, Colt meets Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst), a beautiful American tennis player with an upcoming match of her own, and finds the inspiration he hopes will turn his luck around."

source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I like Paul Bettany, and this has been recommended almost since I first got Prime Video
IMDB: 6.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 61% Audience: 57%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "Presently ranked 119th in the world. Sport is cruel. Now I know it doesn't sound too bad. Four million tennis players in the world, and I'm 119th. But what that really means is this - 118 guys out there are faster, stronger, better and younger. And it gets you thinking."

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Richard Loncraine

my notes: I liked it. It's legitimately funny, romantic without getting too sticky, and a nice trip around London. No clue if the tennis is realistic or not, and I don't particularly care since that's not what I was watching for. I would definitely watch this again.
overall:  recommended

The Thin Man (1934) - "A husband and wife detective team takes on the search for a missing inventor and almost get killed for their efforts."
source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: I tried to see them in order, but the library was not accommodating to my needs
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 98% Audience: 94%
my IMDB: 9/10

AFI: 100 Years ... 100 Laughs (2000) #32

notable quote: "Oh, Nicky, I love you - because you know such lovely people."

MPAA rating: TV-PG

directed by: W.S. Van Dyke

my notes: fantastic film! Intense, witty dialog interspersed with romance and drama and suspense - all while decked out in the most glamorous costumes, hair and makeup of any black and white film I've seen. Loads of red herrings, in the classic style. This is an awesome movie.

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Actor—William Powell

• Best Director

• Best Writing, Adaptation

Last reviewed here
overall: most highly recommended

I Love You Again (1940) - "Larry Wilson (William Powell) is a wealthy businessman. He's also so incredibly boring that his wife, Kay (Myrna Loy), wants a divorce. But when Larry gets knocked on the head, he discovers that he isn't Larry Wilson at all. He's actually George Carey, a con artist, and his life as Larry has really been a case of amnesia. Now back to his old ways, George plans a con to rob an entire town of their money. But George's fiery ways make Kay reconsider the divorce."
source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: I'm in the Powell/Loy mode
IMDB: 7.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 83%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'Where did you learn to dance like this?'

    'By mail.'"

MPAA rating: Passed (TV-G)

directed by: W.S. Van Dyke

my notes: wild. More of a three-stooge-y comedy than a romantic film, but with that in mind it's a good one.
overall:  recommended

[the title quotation is from I Love You Again]