Debut Of The Thin Man
Tom Without Pity | A Major Midwestern Metropolis | 12/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a revue of the WB DVD release of the MGM 1934 classic, THE THIN MAN, directed
by W.S. Van Dyke and starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Dashiell Hammett's Nick and Nora Charles.
Nick Charles, a retired but still famous detective is vacationing in Christmastime NYC with his wife Nora and their dog, Asta. Nora Charles has money and they are both enjoying a rather extravagent vacation--especially considering that this is the depths of the Depression--when an old friend of Nick's, a scientist named Wynant, disappears.
Nick really wants nothing to do with the mystery but when Wynant's daughter appeals to him for help he just can't refuse. And once things get moving Nora and even Asta get involved in this confusing but involving case. The story is told with a great deal of humor and wit, the back and forth accusations get a little silly sometimes but, especially considering that this is about a missing friend, the light touch works
like in no other movie of this type.
The interaction between Nick and Nora, and sometimes the supporting characters is
delightful and it usually advances the plot but after a while the viewer is more interested in the relationship between the two principals than the mysteries surrounding them.
A wonderful film, suitable for enjoyment by just about everybody. This DVD edition has the trailers for all six THIN MAN films as an extra feature and has subtitles in English, French and Spanish. I'm sure that THE THIN MAN wil be enjoyed by everyone who sees it.
"