Rating: 
Summary: The Thin Man,
Review: Truly, this series is one of the best ever created. Simple, fast pace, plain wholesome fun!! I want the whole series!!
Rating:
Summary: Mystery, Comedy, Romance, Glamour....All in One Perfect Film
Review: Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) have recently moved back to New York from the West Coast and are looking forward to some time together when an old acquaintance, a young woman named Dorothy Wynant (Maureen O'Sullivan), asks for Nick's help in locating her father, an inventor named Clyde Wynant (Edward Ellis). Nick was a working class hard-drinking private detective before he married blue-blooded Nora. But now Nick is enjoying his retirement and is reluctant to get involved in any mysteries. Nora, on the other hand, is intrigued by Nick's old line of work and welcomes the excitement that detective work might bring to her life. But Nick stubbornly refuses to take the case, even when the missing man's secretary is murdered and his lawyer and ex-wife express their concern as well. But when a gun-wielding thug forces his way into the Charles' apartment and the police harass him for answers, Nick is left with little choice but to take the case of "the thin man". Believing that the police are on the wrong trail entirely, Nick returns to Clyde Wynant's closed-up shop, where he finds an essential clue to his disappearance. Nick then decides that the best way to ferret out the culprit is to invite all of the suspects and interested parties to a dinner party at his apartment where he will lay out the story as he knows it and set up the murderer in the presence of the police."The Thin Man" was adapted from the popular 1933 detective novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett and directed by W.S. Van Dyke in 1934. Although fans of Dashiell Hammet's hard-boiled whodunit may not recognize the Nick and Nora Charles of the silver screen, "The Thin Man" impresses me as one of the best adapted screenplays in cinematic history. Screenwriters Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich have brilliantly adapted Dashiell Hammet's novel for a mainstream audience. The story has been simplified considerably. But, more significantly, the movie's characters have been made more likable and respectable than those of the book, and somewhat less alcoholic. Although Hammett's novel is full of witty quips, it is far too cynical to be called a comedy. Screenwriters Hackett and Goodrich chose to make the film a comedy of manners and de-emphasized the mystery in favor of Nick and Nora's relationship. That decision, along with the casting of William Powell and Myrna Loy, who have such great comic chemistry and affection between them, made "The Thin Man" so irresistible to audiences in the 1930's that it supported an impressive 6-film franchise over the course of 13 years. William Powell and Myrna Loy's appeal has not diminished in the least to this day. There has never been a funnier party scene than the Charles' wonderful drunken Christmas party. And an expanded role for the Charles' irrepressible pooch Asta perfectly tops off the comedy. "The Thin Man" is a wonderfully entertaining combination of mystery, comedy, and romance set in the glamourous world of upper-class Manhattan in the 1930's. It's as good as popular movie-making gets. "The Thin Man" of course refers to the missing Mr. Wynant, although the phrase came to be associated with Nick Charles in the subsequent "Thin Man" films. We can only hope that eventually all of "The Thin Man" movies will be available as a DVD boxed set with some nice extras. If you like "The Thin Man" and old comedy/ mystery/romance movies appeal to you, you might like Alfred Hitchcock's 1938 film "The Lady Vanishes". It is a lighthearted, utterly charming film, and one of Hitchcock's best, that manages to successfully combine even more genres than "The Thin Man" does.
Rating:
Summary: Waiting for the DVDs
Review: I've been waiting for what seems like ages for The Thin Man series to get recorded onto DVDs. Finally, the first in the series is here. For many years because of this series, William Powell and Myrna Loy were America's sweetheart couple. They seem so natural on screen as a married couple that it's hard to believe they're acting. William Powell is the debonair and charming alcoholic detective Nick Charles. Myrna Loy is Nora, the rich society deb he's married to. The general plot is that while he would like to give up detecting, Nora finds his sleuthing to be exciting and won't let him give it up entirely. Their famous dog Asta helps and hinders them throughout each film. Many young performers like Jimmy Stewart and Cesar Romero have bit parts in these films that are fun to see today. I'm looking forward to the rest of The Thin Man series becoming available on DVD. Hurry!! Hurray!!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Dark Comedy!
Review: Clyde Wynant, an eccentric absent minded inventor, is about to leave for three months before his daughters wedding, but he promises to return for the wedding. When the wedding day draws near, the daughter becomes worried about her father. In addition, Clyde's ex-wife is worried as well, since her money is running out and she needs more. However, in the absence of Clyde a murder of his mistress is committed right before a visit between his ex-wife and mistress was planned to discuss Clyde's wherabouts.. Nick Charles, a friend of the Wynant family, is in town with his wife to enjoy their time together with parties and relaxation. Despite copious attempts to relax, Nick is forced to undertake the investigation in a joint operation between him and the police force. This investigation takes many directions before they think they have the murderer, who becomes a serial killer at the end. The Thin Man is a well written criminal comedy that engages the audience on multiple levels, which provides an amazing cinematic experience.
Rating:
Summary: Why don't we see movies this good any more?
Review: I won't bore you with the plot. You can get that from the other reviews. The reason to watch this movie is the great writing and the incredible chemistry between Powell and Loy. The movie succeeds on many levels. It is a funny movie, but not filled with obvious gags. The banter seems natural and not forced. It is still very funny. (My wife almost snorted her drink through her nose a number of times during the film.) There are things that are dated, but still very watchable by a modern audience. It is also an interesting detective story. There is suspense and more than a bit of mystery. The ending seems a bit of a cleche, but it works. (Probably less so since so many movies tried a similar formula since then, but not as well.) The DVD has the trailers for all the Thin Man movies. It is frustrating since this is the only one available on DVD. I *really* want to see the rest of these on DVD. Incredibly good films!
Rating:
Summary: The perfect marriage
Review: This movie is a hilarious depiction of the perfect marriage and what can happen when you take your loyal pooch and spouse on a vacation to your former hometown for the holidays. One of the best classic movies today, this groundbreaking film was shot in just two weeks by well-known classic film director,
W.S."One-take Woody"Van Dyke. This is a mystery-romance-comedy
about former detective, Nick Charles, his wife, Nora, and their loyal, but cowardly dog, Asta. Somewhere along the way they meet up with Nick's former client's daughter, Dorothy, who bears the news that her father has disappeared. When the murder of Clyde Wynant's(Dorothy's father)former secretary is comitted in the Big Apple, the fact that her father has disappeared arouses the polices' suspicions. Then, when two more murders occur, reluctantly, but inevitably, Nick takes the case and cracks the labyrinth of confusion and all is well. This
is a wonderful movie and perhaps one of my favorites of all time, so come and join Nick and Nora for a drink(or two) and you'll be on the edge of your chair.
Rating:
Summary: BUY IT!
Review: This is a great film. I can't wait until the rest of the series comes out on DVD! Dark at times, yet incredibly funny, this movie is really engaging. The marital relationship that hit off the Thin Man series really shines here. There is a wonderful scene on Christmas morning...I don't want to give anything away, but you could watch this film just to watch their marriage and laugh (and smile) at their relationship.
Rating:
Summary: great movie, finally on dvd
Review: The Thin Man series belongs to my most favorite classic movies and i am very happy that the first one is now finally available on dvd.It's better quality than i ever saw on tv and the movie is as funny as always; the flashing dialog between Powell and Loy keeps you smiling and Asta, their little fox-terrier, is the star of the show, but also the beautiful costumes, couture of that time no doubt, belong to my happy memories of that movie.
Rating: 
Summary: COMEDY/MYSTERY CAPER LOOKS STUNNING ON DVD
Review: "The Thin Man" is the witty, acidic and charming murder mystery with an attitude from which all subsequent crime solvers (most notably television's "Hart to Hart", "Remington Steele" and "Moonlighting") take their cue. The movie features William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, an inspired teaming almost as legendary as Tracy and Hepburn.
PLOT: When a scientist turns up missing his daughter (Maureen O'Sullivan) hires Nick to get to the bottom of the disappearance.
This movie, as do all the subsequent "Thin Man" installments, (there are an additional 5 - none of which are currently available on DVD)relies heavily on the chemistry generated between Loy, Powell and their wire-haired terrier, Asta. The investment in character is not wasted.
Warner Home Video has done an outstanding job on "The Thin Man" DVD. Where previous copies of this movie on VHS and laserdisc looked as though they had been fed through a meat grinder, suffering from age, damage and disrepair, the print used for this DVD looks as though it were shot yesterday, with incredibly sharp, detailed images almost entirely free of any such ravages of time. The visual quality of the print is remarkably solid with little edge enhancement and no pixelization. The audio is mono but well represented with no background hiss. No extras.
BOTTOM LINE: A DEFINITE MUST!
Rating:
Summary: Featuring One Very Amazing Dog
Review: THE THIN MAN was based on Dashiell Hammett's novel which featured the loveable detective duo of Nick and Nora Charles. The movie was a slick production with an expensive budget for its time of more than two million dollars. The story focused on the disappearance and murder of a wealthy inventor. William Powell and Myrna Loy had the leading roles as Nick and Nora which they maintained throughout the six films of the series from 1934 through 1947. The cast also included Maureen O'Sullivan, Cesar Romero and Asta the dog.
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