AFTER THE THIN MAN

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A film that has always been on my must-see list is 'The Thin Man', but so far the opportunity to watch it has never arisen.  So I decided to make do instead with the 1936 sequel, which also has a very high reputation. 

It stars William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles.  

He's a retired private detective and she's a charming heiress, and they have an easy-going relationship in which they gently tease each other, and drink copious quantities of alcohol whilst never seeming to get more than tipsy.

As a bonus, this film also features James Stewart in very much a supporting role, because as late as 1936 he wasn't yet that big a star.  

The first 'Thin Man' film was based on a novel by Dashiell Hammett which was something of a departure from his normal hardboiled style in that it was lighter and more comedic.  Although he didn't go on to write any more novels featuring Mr and Mrs Charles, he contributed the storyline for this follow-up.

Based on this film I would say that a large part of the success of the 'Thin Man' films is the juxtaposition of the world of 'high society' Nora comes from and the seedy underworld that Nick is at ease in.  So we get to enjoy both the amusing banter of Nick and Nora, and a gritty murder mystery.  Plus, if you're into that sort of thing there are the shenanigans of a mischievous wire-haired fox terrier named Asta.  

The picture moves quickly and the plot is decent enough even though it does include an outrageous coincidence concerning a janitor. 

I've recently watched several British comedy mysteries starring Margaret Rutherford as Jane Marple, which are enjoyable enough but I think this film has the edge, in that I laughed several times (a high bar with me) and I enjoyed watching Nick put together the pieces of the puzzle, even if I was disappointed that Nora contributes nothing to the sleuthing.  

Like Hercule Poirot Nick eventually brings all the suspects together but unlike the Belgian detective he hasn't yet identified the murderer.  Instead he talks them (and us) through his theory of the case, in the hope that in the course of the various accusations and counter-accusations that are thrown around, as well as protestations of innocence, the killer will make  a fatal mistake.  

Which of course, he does.

Very entertaining.  

RATING: ✓✓ Good Times

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