I think William Powell did a superb job in recreating an upper-class gentleman of the late 19th century: the voice, accent, and mannerisms seemed very authentic. Probably Powell, who was born in 1892, had relatives who sounded and acted like this. Bravo!
shareWilliam Powell was never recognized by the Academy for the great actor he was: My Man Godfrey, The Thin Man, Mr. Roberts, even How to Marry a Millionaire...He's one if my all-time movie crushes.
shareI completely agree with everything in your post! I could spend all day watching his movies....and often do. :)
The thing I really liked about Mr Powell is that everyone seems to have found him to be the perfect gentleman (he even remained close friends with his first two wives) in the truest sense of the word...and to imperfectly quote somone whom I cannot remember ... "he is to dialogue what Fred Astaire is to dancing".
Life With Father is one of his greatest roles... irritating irascible but loving ...and performed with a stunning sense of timing and wit.
In 1947 Powell was an enormous star happily married to Diana after his sad doomed relationship with Jean Harlow and having survived a serious bout of cancer.
Like ltrednnick I can watch him do his stuff for hours ... and do.
So Mr Powell a salute to you!