THE THIN MAN (1934)

Country: U.S.A.

Genre(s): Comedy / Crime

Director: W.S. Van Dyke

Cast: William Powell / Myrna Loy / Nat Pendleton

Plot

A former private detective is encouraged by his wealthy wife to get involved in a case involving a missing scientist and his murdered mistress.

What I Liked

Before the days when every movie that makes a buck spawned half a dozen sequels, “The Thin Man” unexpectedly kicked off one of the first successful non-serial movie franchises.  Featuring two thoroughly likable protagonists in married couple Nick and Nora Charles, “The Thin Man” clearly left audiences wanting more of the duo, resulting in five sequels.  Part-time sleuths and full-time partiers, Nick and Nora would have been the perfect anecdote for Depression-troubled audiences in the thirties.  The film’s melding of exciting mystery with witty characters makes for an irresistible charm that can still win over a modern viewer.  Without resorting to simple screwball antics or ugly put-downs, actors William Powell and Myrna Loy engage in some wickedly funny banter, snapping off sarcastic one-liners you’ll want to jot down for future use.

What I Didn’t Like

MGM did not expect the film to be the success it became, and so they did not give it the production resources other projects might have received.  Thus there is little in the way of action, stunts, or effects; nor is the murder plot all that intriguing.  While the screenwriters built up a complex-enough gauntlet of twists and turns for their heroes to navigate on their way to solving the mystery, the crime element of the film definitely feels like the hastily thrown-together plot that it indeed was.  However, it is still nonetheless fun to guess who among the film’s many quirky characters is responsible for the film’s murders, if only for the nostalgia of playing a good old fashioned game of “Clue.”  And really, Powell and Loy make for all the fun any film could need.

Most Memorable Scene

Any of the scenes where the crime solving couple are at home alone with each other are full of playful banter and antics that make the entire movie more than worthwhile.  Typically I despise the lovable lush in a movie (Anyone whose known a real alcoholic knows they usually aren’t so fun to be around).  But Powell’s childlike Nick Charles swallows down liquor like it’s the spinach to his Popeye and just gets all the more funny for it.  Loy’s Nora keeps up with him in the alcohol department but brings a sexy slyness that is equally irresistible.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5