Myrna Loy center of school's campaign

LOS ANGELES, April 5 (UPI) -- Myrna Loy's popularity may have waned since the 1930s but Venice High School is hoping the late actress's memory can help rejuvenate the Los Angeles school.

Alumnus Laura Ferre said by using the memory of "The Thin Man" actress, who graduated from the school, Venice High can help reinvigorate itself and the surrounding community, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

"We're trying to bring back the art and grace and focus of school spirit in this community," the Class of 1976 graduate said. "It something that's near and dear to many families."

The school used to feature a statue of the 1930s actress, but it's in storage.

So Class of 1961 alumnus Peter Schwab started heading up an effort to raise more than $200,000 to create a new statue to honor the school's most famous graduate in hopes of bringing back some of the school's lost grace.

"Venice High always had the aura of being a little funky, a little tough," said Schwab, who donated $75,000 to the cause. "But I loved it there. And the statue was a big part of who we were."