Emily W. Leider, author of "Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood" (University of California Press) gives an illustrated talk on Myrna Loy, whose screen career began in 1925, when she was given her first screen test by Rudolph Valentino and Natacha Rambova. It continued until her last film in 1981. Just as she didn't like to live in one place for too long, this truly modern woman kept changing the way she presented herself.

Leider will take a look at Loy's evolving appearance and physical surroundings, on screen and off, paying most attention to the Myrna Loy of the 1920s, when she began performing as a prologue dancer at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, and the 1930s, when her slim, graceful figure complemented the taste for all things streamlined. Illustrated with slides and movie clips, her talk will touch on the work of MGM set designer Cedric Gibbons and costume designers Dolly Tree and Adrian. I will talk some about MGM's high gloss, high contract black-and-white aesthetic, and will discuss the influence on Myrna Loy of her teacher, modern dancer Ruth St. Denis. The flapper craze, Orientalism, Egypto-mania, and changing American ideals of female beauty will all be part of the story.

Leider will sign her new book "Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood" (University of California Press) after the lecture.

Followed by the 1934 film MANHATTAN MELODRAMA co-starring Clark Gable and William Powell. The film will begin at approximately 4 PM.