The Squall

“My ultimate vamp came in The Squall,” Myrna Loy noted about the string of exotic mantraps she portrayed before The Thin Man made her film’s savviest, sexiest perfect wife. Here she is Nubi, a flashing-eyed Gypsy who insinuates herself into the household of prosperous farmer Josef Lajos (Richard Tucker). Just for the wicked fun of it, Nubi seduces her way up the chain of power, from servant to Lajos’s son to Lajos himself, sowing jealousy and conflict in a once-tranquil home. As directed by Alexander Korda (The Private Life of Henry VIII, That Hamilton Woman), The Squall is the ultimate vamp’s movie all the way: even lovely Loretta Young, playing the ingénue, pales like virtuous vanilla next to Loy’s tempestuous sinner.