SimonJack "The Thin Man" is the first of half of dozen comedy mystery movies that William Powell and Myrna Loy would make together. Based on Dashiell Hammett's novel of the same title and year, this ushered in a new type of mystery show that would entertain audiences for the next four decades plus. It wasn't the first mystery to include comedy, but it solidly established the man and wife team in a mixed genre of comedy, romance, mystery and crime. Add to Powell and Loy a very talented pooch by the name of Asta, and some humorous antics happen as well. The series became known as the Thin Man films, although the name doesn't come from Powell as Nick Charles. Rather, it was the victim in this first film. Anyway, Nick Charles is a super sleuth who, as a private detective, was responsible for sending a large coterie of crooks of various types to prison. - or, "up the river," as more than one of them say in this film. However, on meeting and marrying the very wealthy Nora Charles, Nick has sworn off of sleuthing and instead gone to boozing. He's a heavy drinker, who appears tipsy at times in this film. For as much booze as he puts away, it's a wonder he could ever have a clear head to solve this mystery. But, the solution comes when he seems not to have been imbibing for some time. Nick and Nora otherwise lead a life of pleasure that includes many encounters with Nick's old friends. Many are ex-cons who swear that it was Nick who got them to go straight. Of course some haven't, as we see in this flick. Nora enjoys the party atmosphere and cocktails as well. And, she's fascinated by her hubby's former profession. Nick protests that he can't go back to sleuthing because his new work is to oversee his wife's fortune and investments, for which he married her. But, Nora's interest and nudging lead Nick back into his sleuthing, only now he has a sometimes intruder, sometimes helper, sometimes rescuer in his devoted Nora. This is a wonderfully entertaining film that led to a superb and enjoyable series of films. Powell and Loy made their first appearance together the same month that this film was released, in "Manhattan Melodrama," with Clark Gable. It wasn't a comedy, but Powell and Loy clicked. Credit Louis B. Mayer for spotting the talent match. Powell and Loy would be gold for MGM as the best-loved movie match couple for two decades. They may be the best match of all time. Their last of 14 total films together was "Song of the Thin Man" in 1947. In 1957-59, NBC ran a half-hour Thin Man series on TV. It had 72 episodes and starred Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk with another Asta. The man and wife mystery venue still proved to be popular when Universal and NBC teamed up for a long-running TV series, "McMillan & Wife" in 1971-77. The comedy was toned down considerably in this series, which took on a little more serious tone about crime. But, there still were some lighthearted moments, sometimes at the expense of John Schuck who played Sgt. Enright. "McMillan & Wife" had only 40 episodes over seven years, but they were full-fledged films of 90 to 120 minutes - all very entertaining.Here are some favorite lines. For more funny dialog, see the Quotes section under the IMDb Web page of the movie. Nora, "You know, that sounds like an interesting case. Why don't you take it? Nick, "I haven't time. I'm much too busy seeing that you don't lose any of the money I married you for."Nora gets out of bed to answer the doorbell late at night, and returns to the bedroom. "Someone to see you, dear," she says. Nick, "Well, that's good. I was afraid I'd have to go to sleep."Nick and Nora are reading the morning papers at the breakfast table. Nick, "Oh, I'm a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune." Nora, "I read where you were shot five times in the tabloids." Nick, "It's not true. He didn't come anywhere near by tabloids."Nora, speaking to Asta before he leaves with Nick, "If you let anything happen to him, you'll ever wag that tail again."Nora, "Uh, waiter, will you serve the nuts. I mean will you serve the guests the nuts."Nora, "Is that him?" Nick, I don't know." Nora, "Then why are you saying it?" Nick, "It's the only way it makes sense." Nora, I hope you're well."Nor, "Oh, I'm glad you're not a detective."

elvircorhodzic 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.

Hitchcoc I'm not sure Dashiell Hammet's depiction of Nick and Nora is as boozy as the movie, but it doesn't matter. William Powell and Myrna Loy have some of the greatest chemistry of any duo in film history. Having grown up with an alcoholic, it takes some resilience for me to overlook the way that ninety percent of the movie involves guzzling liquor. That said, we never see a debilitating effect. They are perpetually joyful. He is suave and she is gorgeous. In addition to the way the two interact, this has a great plot and some of the most memorable character actors of the time. Nick has decided that since Nora has more money that one can really deal with in a lifetime, he decides to retire from being a detective. She, on the other hand, longs form adventure. We know, of course, that he is not going to stay away from the case of the wealthy missing man for long. One of the really hilarious scenes is a dinner party where Nick is going to announce who the murderer is, but in an almost Marx Brothers way, it goes on forever, each guest staining at the bit.

clanciai A drinking detective with his wife on the wagon resolves some murders with their dog: Still more hilarious than ever after 80 years and better than most comedies made since, in its well mixed cocktail of screwball comedy and serious murder stuff - the murder doesn't occur until after 20 minutes and many drinks, which most of the film is decently decorated with, including Christmas parties and many other drinks and parties, keeping the intrigue and comedy going all through the film, while the drinking detective just keeps plodding on in resolving the perfectly impossible murder case, which no one else would have been able to get any head or tail out of. Maybe the dog Asta with her constant intrusions helps the case progressing and adding to the very entertaining tempo. The real thriller doesn't set in until after the first hour, with the dog really adding to it. The triumph of the film though is the sustained witty dialogue, which never tires off or stops shooting with hits every time. Wonderful to see it again after half a century - hope to see it again after another half century.