The Thin Man (1934)

Awesome Movie

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

"The Thin Man" is the first of half of dozen comedy mystery movies that William Powell and Myrna Loy would make together. Based on Dashiell Hammett's novel of the same title and year, this ushered in a new type of mystery show that would entertain audiences for the next four decades plus. It wasn't the first mystery to include comedy, but it solidly established the man and wife team in a mixed genre of comedy, romance, mystery and crime. Add to Powell and Loy a very talented pooch by the name of Asta, and some humorous antics happen as well. The series became known as the Thin Man films, although the name doesn't come from Powell as Nick Charles. Rather, it was the victim in this first film. Anyway, Nick Charles is a super sleuth who, as a private detective, was responsible for sending a large coterie of crooks of various types to prison. - or, "up the river," as more than one of them say in this film. However, on meeting and marrying the very wealthy Nora Charles, Nick has sworn off of sleuthing and instead gone to boozing. He's a heavy drinker, who appears tipsy at times in this film. For as much booze as he puts away, it's a wonder he could ever have a clear head to solve this mystery. But, the solution comes when he seems not to have been imbibing for some time. Nick and Nora otherwise lead a life of pleasure that includes many encounters with Nick's old friends. Many are ex-cons who swear that it was Nick who got them to go straight. Of course some haven't, as we see in this flick. Nora enjoys the party atmosphere and cocktails as well. And, she's fascinated by her hubby's former profession. Nick protests that he can't go back to sleuthing because his new work is to oversee his wife's fortune and investments, for which he married her. But, Nora's interest and nudging lead Nick back into his sleuthing, only now he has a sometimes intruder, sometimes helper, sometimes rescuer in his devoted Nora. This is a wonderfully entertaining film that led to a superb and enjoyable series of films. Powell and Loy made their first appearance together the same month that this film was released, in "Manhattan Melodrama," with Clark Gable. It wasn't a comedy, but Powell and Loy clicked. Credit Louis B. Mayer for spotting the talent match. Powell and Loy would be gold for MGM as the best-loved movie match couple for two decades. They may be the best match of all time. Their last of 14 total films together was "Song of the Thin Man" in 1947. In 1957-59, NBC ran a half-hour Thin Man series on TV. It had 72 episodes and starred Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk with another Asta. The man and wife mystery venue still proved to be popular when Universal and NBC teamed up for a long-running TV series, "McMillan & Wife" in 1971-77. The comedy was toned down considerably in this series, which took on a little more serious tone about crime. But, there still were some lighthearted moments, sometimes at the expense of John Schuck who played Sgt. Enright. "McMillan & Wife" had only 40 episodes over seven years, but they were full-fledged films of 90 to 120 minutes - all very entertaining.Here are some favorite lines. For more funny dialog, see the Quotes section under the IMDb Web page of the movie. Nora, "You know, that sounds like an interesting case. Why don't you take it? Nick, "I haven't time. I'm much too busy seeing that you don't lose any of the money I married you for."Nora gets out of bed to answer the doorbell late at night, and returns to the bedroom. "Someone to see you, dear," she says. Nick, "Well, that's good. I was afraid I'd have to go to sleep."Nick and Nora are reading the morning papers at the breakfast table. Nick, "Oh, I'm a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune." Nora, "I read where you were shot five times in the tabloids." Nick, "It's not true. He didn't come anywhere near by tabloids."Nora, speaking to Asta before he leaves with Nick, "If you let anything happen to him, you'll ever wag that tail again."Nora, "Uh, waiter, will you serve the nuts. I mean will you serve the guests the nuts."Nora, "Is that him?" Nick, I don't know." Nora, "Then why are you saying it?" Nick, "It's the only way it makes sense." Nora, I hope you're well."Nor, "Oh, I'm glad you're not a detective."

The problem with looking forward to watching a classic film is that sometimes the film turns out to be disappointing.I watched "The Thin Man" too late in the evening and was overwhelmed by the quantity and speed of the dialogue and the complexity of the twists and turns of the plot. I also did the unforgivable and fell asleep and had to keep re-winding the tape. (Yes... the tape.. it's been on the "need to watch shelf" a LONG time) and even then it just did not seem "special". BUT. I knew it was supposed to be really good so I watched it in the morning. Stayed awake. Had read some of the reviews and message boards and was prepared this time.It's GOOD. Really, really good. Witty dialogue, quirky characters galore, loose ends pretty well woven into each other by the time of the end credits. Chock-a-block filled with all of those wonderful everyday things of 1934 like two part corded telephones, typewriters that make noise, telephone operators, nickels needed for a call, fur trim on just about every woman's garment, running boards ! So Stay awake. Watch it more than once, You won't regret it.

Based on the Dashiell Hammett novel, Nick Charles is a retired detective who is asked to investigate a case of a rich, eccentric inventor who failed to return from an announced trip. Living the high life thanks to his heiress wife Nora, Nick initially refuses, but he is slowly drawn in, thanks to the encouragement of his wife who wants to be a detective too, as well as an invasion of his apartment by a suspect, and pressures from both the police and the man's family.The movie is played for laughs, which is good as banter between husband and wife, as well as the other characters, works well. Yet the movie has serious parts such as graphic killings, and the serious aspects of the movie are downplayed. The movie could have had both the comedy and the tension that would have come with a more serious treatment of the story.

I have always loved a good mystery,especially mysteries with a touch or more of humor.I have heard much about The Thin Man series of films for years and tonight,I finally had the pleasure of viewing the first in the series.I can't believe I had waited such a long time to indulge in this wonderful film.William Powell and Myrna Loy have perhaps the best screen chemistry that I have ever witnessed.Their constant playful interaction was so mesmerizing that you forget momentarily that you are watching a murder mystery.The supporting cast is excellent right down to the dog,Asta,who I hear seldom in her movie career did they ever have to do more than one take in any scene she was in.A new favorite in my classics section.