“THE FIRST OF THE THINS”

By Raymond Benson

The Thin Man, the film released in 1934 and based on Dashiell Hammett’s 1933 novel, was so massively popular that it spawned a series of five more pictures, a radio series, a television series, a remake, a stage play, and a stage musical. It’s arguably the best of the “Thins” in that it was fresh, original, and featured a unique, comic, almost screwball approach to the main characters of Nick and Nora Charles. Granted, screwball comedies are, by definition, stories about mismatched couples, whereas Nick and Nora are so perfectly suitable for each other that they can finish each other’s lines, take turns playing straight man while the other quips, and can compete together in the consumption of alcohol (and not a scene goes by without drinks in the hands of our protagonists).

One couldn’t ask for better casting. William Powell and Myrna Loy embodied their roles so perfectly that they were forever identified with them, despite having separately made dozens of other types of pictures. Their witty banter, their palpable affection for each other, their intelligence, and their evident chemistry made the film and its sequels successes.

The picture has a terrific supporting cast as well. Maureen O’Sullivan is the harried daughter of the titular character (no, “the Thin Man” is not Nick Charles, although public perception has always seemed to mistakenly connect the series title to Powell’s role), and she is suitably emotional and fraught. Minna Gombell, as her mother, from the get-go is hilariously guilty of something. Porter Hall, a longtime character actor, is amiable and perfect as the Thin Man’s attorney, and Nat Pendleton as the police lieutenant in charge of the case is the tough/dumb guy personified. Even Cesar Romero shows up as one of the suspects.

The case in question is a missing persons mystery in which a renowned scientist (Dr. Wynant, who is tall and thin) hasn’t returned from an alleged extended business trip, but then his secretary (and, for a time, it is implied, his mistress while he was married to his ex) is murdered—and then a witness to the murder is killed. Like many crime stories of the era, the details can be complicated, but the filmmaking briskly sails over them such that the audience doesn’t have time to think about it or question what is happening. Hence, there are holes in the plot—but who cares? It’s too much fun. Best to get a couple of martinis—or six—and enjoy them as Nick and Nora put together the clues and finally solve the case at a classic dinner party sequence at which all the suspects have gathered.

Oh, and don’t forget that scene stealer fox terrier, Asta, who accompanies Nick and Nora wherever they go, even in restaurants that don’t allow dogs.

The Warner Archive’s high definition transfer is a vast improvement over Warner’s previous DVD release—it merits the upgrade. Supplements include the season two premiere of the 1957-59 television series that starred Peter Lawford as Nick and Phyllis Kirk as Nora (yes, this thing was on the air for two seasons!), and it’s… okay… but it’s worth a look for curiosity’s sake. Additional extras are the 1936 Lux Radio Theater audio broadcast starring Powell and Loy, and the theatrical trailer.

The Thin Man received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Powell), Best Director (W. S. Van Dyke), and Writing/Adaptation (by the husband and wife team of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett), but it didn’t take home the gold in any category. Nevertheless, the new Blu-ray release of the motion picture is indeed a winner.

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