The Thin Man (1934)

The Thin ManThe hardest part of being single at Christmas is figuring out what gift to get your sex doll.Luckily, the couple in this whodunit can verbally communicate their wish list to each other.When ex-gumshoe Nick Charles (William Powell) and his heiress wife Nora (Myrna Loy), along with their faithful terrier Asta, head to NYC for the holidays the last thing they expect to do is solve a murder. But when a client's daughter (Maureen O'Sullivan) asks him to find her missing father, Nick has no choice but to help when a decomposed body turns up.The first episode in the long-running film series based on Dashiell Hammett's fast-talking, hard-drinking, crime solving couple of independent means, this initial installment is a triumph, not only in its sleuthing but in the chemistry between Charles'.Incidentally, sticking a suspect's tongue to a frozen pole is a good way to get a confession. Green Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

This was the movie that would launch the 'Thin Man' series, and as in the sequels which would follow, William Powell and Myrna Loy are so damn charming, endearing, and wonderful that you'll want to eat them up. The movie starts off with a gritty feeling, as an inventor finds he's been robbed of bonds from his safe, and angrily approaches his mistress. His daughter, played by the lovely Maureen O'Sullivan, is about to get married, and when he disappears shortly thereafter, she begins to worry. She runs into William Powell in a bar (where else?), and explains things to him, but he's on vacation and doesn't want anything to do with the case. Eventually of course, he gets sucked in.Powell is simply outstanding in this movie. His character is what every man wishes he could be: witty, charming, one step ahead of everyone else, calm under pressure, married to the cute and playful Myrna Loy, and able to hold an incredible amount of liquor. Far from being stressed out, he's bemused by it all. Powell plays this role perfectly, and his chemistry with Loy is extraordinary. Their banter and quirky behavior quickly takes over the movie, rendering the mystery of the 'thin man' secondary. There are just so many funny lines and facial gestures that I was literally laughing out loud 83 years later. All that and 'Asta' the dog too! The actual solving of the crime is a little convoluted, but don't worry too much about that, you'll be highly entertained.

THE THIN MAN is a highly entertaining crime comedy based on the novel of the same name. The mystery becomes strong comedy dialogue and acting quite unique. This film can be seen as a very good detective story with one hand, and a well thought out and "healthy" comedy on the other side. Excitement is present in both parts. Powell and Loy are shared perfection of chemistry on screen. The dialogue between the main actors is simply excellent. The story and scenery are good. Acting is in a good part of the film is excellent.At one point, I was surprised because a serious topic is approached quite frivolous. I've finally realized that the film, in addition to other segments, should be just fun. Couple Charles offered us a great time for a bit of mystery and research and a lot of comedy dialogue. Van Dyke offered us a movie in which we really enjoy.

A Charming Who Done It with a Charming Alcoholic Couple. The Camaraderie of William Powell and Myrna Loy as the Classic Nick and Nora Charles and the Relentless Snappy Patter are what makes this one of the Most Popular Films of All Time. But there is more.The Plot is Complicated and Manages to keep Viewers Guessing. The Cast is Equipped with Good Actors Playing Interesting Characters that are Fleshed Out and that is Unusual for a B-Movie. All are Distinctive and Quirky. There isn't One Character On Screen that is not Full Blooded Including the Dog.The "gather all the suspects in one room and unveil the Murderer" is the only Thing that is rather Standard in this Always Engaging, Rapid Fire, Combination of a Screwball, Slapstick, Mystery, Movie with some Impressionism and Dark Undertones. It is one of those Rare Occasions when a Movie Fires on All Cylinders and is a Tightly Wrapped Package. There are many Quotable Lines with most of the Humor Derived from Drinking and the Rich, Married Couples Breezy Relationship.It is an Artifact of its Age in Regards to Attitudes about Alcohol and Drinking. Here it is all done with Funny Quips and there is Never a Hint about the Dangers of Excess as Nick and Nora are more than Competent Drunks and because They are Extremely Wealthy, without a Care in the World They Easily get away with it. The Film Shows in Stark Terms just how the Cultural Considerations can Drastically Change with the Current Hypocrisy (the War on Drugs) that will be ever so Clear with the Passage of Time.