The Thin Man

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!
Review: The first of six Thin Man movies. If you enjoy comedy, wit, a good mystery and an excellect cast, don't miss this series. Powell and Loy are perfect in these roles. Onr of the best movies of all time and one of my personal favorites. Get this series, you will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Landmark Films of the 1930s Comes to DVD
Review: THE THIN MAN is a landmark film in so many ways that it is difficult to over-estimate either its impact or its brilliance. Based on the popular novel by Dashiell Hammet, the film presents us with a completely egalitarian husband and wife who trade witticisms as freely as they mix cocktails--and the concept was so completely unexpected that it proved extremely controversial in the 1930s and even today still sets the standard for witty comedies in which couples engage in clever verbal sparring. The script is sharp and clever; the cinematography by James Wong Howe anticipates later film noir by mixing glossy black and white beauty with an underlying grittiness; W.S. Van Dyke's direction is fast paced and never allows your attention to wander; the supporting cast is remarkably fine; and the production values offer MGM at the height of its considerable powers.

All of this would be enough to make THE THIN MAN memorable, but what really elevates it into a rarified atmosphere is the chemistry between leads William Powell and Myrna Loy, who handle their lines like sparkling rapiers, playing a combination of dry wit and unexpectedly silliness in high relief against a remarkably dark tale of multiple murder. Hard drinking, and mixing socially with both the uppercrust and the underworld, they are the people we would like to be in the sort of relationship we would like to acheive: glamorous, stylish, intelligent, and having tremendous fun as they work together to track down a missing inventor who may or may not be responsible for his lover's sudden murder. Although Powell and Loy made numerous films together, including five sequels to this one, THE THIN MAN shows them at their zenith, and I can think of no other screen couple to date who have played so effectively together.

Regrettably, the DVD release has not been restored, and although the print is crisp it does contain a number of blemishes; similarly, although the DVD does include trailers for all of the "Thin Man" films Powell and Loy made, the bonus features hardly do justice to the film's inexhaustible charms. Still, I do recommend the DVD over a VHS for the simple reason that you are likely to return to the film again and again, hoping some of the Powell-Loy sophistocation will rub off--and in the process you are likely to wear out a VHS in fairly short order. Of all the many films I have seen and enjoyed, this is probably the one I have watched most often, and I cannot recommend too highly. A must have for your collection.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: As good as a movie as you'll ever see. As good as any and better than most.

Rating:
Summary: Smart, talky, funny, funny, funny
Review: Here it is: the film that epitomizes smart, talky, witty, funny mystery/comedies. My favorite exchange remains: "What's going on? What's going on? Charles, you know what's going on?" "I don't know anything. I've been in California for four years."

We could all go on and on about the perfect casting of William Powell and Myrna Loy or about Hammett's brilliant script, but let's cut to the chase: this is a perfect movie. There's not a wrong or discordant note anywhere. They rarely make 'em like this anymore.

Rating:
Summary: The best in a series of six movies.
Review: The movie is excellent. Witty dialogue, listen to every word! I own this movie & I've watched so many times! Sharp & well written, they don't make them like this anymore. You will not guess "who done it"! The three sequel's are also very good - "After The Thin Man", "Shadow of the Thin Man" & "Another Thin Man". Unfortunately, the last two movies in this series of six are very poor in quality.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Couple, Perfect Movie
Review: The first time we meet Nick Charles, he is demonstrating to a bartender how to properly shake a martini to waltz time. Nick, it should be noted, is too soused to walk properly, much less have another drink.

Moments later, we meet Nora Charles, his wife. As she quickly downs six martinis to catch up with Nick, we're treated to some of the funniest, snappiest dialogue since... well, since before anything. The Thin Man created the Sexy Funny Couple In Danger genre, and nearly seventy years later, it still sets the (Cuervo) gold standard.

I could do the typical critic's job and rehash some other great scenes, to entice you into buying the movie. Instead, allow me to introduce you to The Think Man Drinking Game.

Start with a pitcher of martinis and your favorite spouse.

Whenever Nick takes a drink on the screen, the husband takes a drink on the sofa. When Nora drinks, the wife drinks.

You'll both have a very happy glow, long before you find out whodunnit.

And since The Thin Man is, at all-too-long last, available on DVD, you won't even have to rewind a tape during your hangover.

Rating:
Summary: Classic comedy thriller is still great fun
Review: "The Thin Man" was released in 1934 and spawned five sequels. Boxoffice grosses for individual movies from those days are hard to come by, but one can assume that "The Thin Man" was a hugely profitable hit for MGM. Sequels were quite rare in those days - the only other ones I can think of offhand are the "Andy Hardy" films. Studios, which also owned most of the first-run movie houses, concentrated on fresh product, only occasionally remaking a particularly successful film.

What drives "The Thin Man" is the absolutely brilliant script by Albert Hackett and Francis Goodrich. It is based on a novel by Dashiell Hammett, but the screenplay stands on it own as one of the best [and funniest] ever written. The dialog is so rapid-fire that, even after repeated viewings, I always catch clever lines I missed before.

William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles make a fantastic couple - smart, witty, and oh-so-worldly. They remain surprisingly modern because they are on equal footing in every area. In fact, they are more equal than most couples in modern movies. The relationship is a little hard for me to describe. Their relationship is not based on romantic love, but on something deeper, more complex. You simply have to see the movie to understand it.

Not surprisingly, "The Thin Man" is the best in the series, although the second film, "Another Thin Man", which was also written by Hackett and Aldrich, comes very close to being as good. Both were directed by W.S. Van Dyke. They are fantastic blends of comedy and suspense plus a level of sophistication which, sadly, is no longer with us.

Highest recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: Classy, Witty, and Entertaining-Who could ask for more?
Review: "The Thin Man" is probably one of the best movies I've ever run across. Based on the mystery by Dashiell Hammett, this movie far outstrips the book in terms of wit and elegance. It's a rare occasion indeed when the movie is better than the book, but this is one of them. "The Thin Man" stars William Powell and Myrna Loy, perhaps two of the most forgotten, yet beloved stars of their time. Powell and Loy have an undeniable chemistry and dead-on comedic timing. Add to that a script filled with witty banter, never-ending martinis, and plenty of bad guys and you've got a movie that can't be beat. To be honest, since I'm writing this in July and the DVD doesn't come out until October, I cannot possibly be reviewing the DVD version of this film. However, I have the VHS version and I've watched it many dozens of times. The DVD version probably won't have tons of extras on it, considering that all major stars of the film are dead and it was filmed in 1934, long before "Making Of" featurettes were standard. Regardless of what extras do or do not come with the DVD version, you should buy this film for the sheer pleasure of watching actors at their best, enjoying each other and their work, and in the process, making a damn fine movie.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful mix of mystery and humor
Review: The first film in a highly succesful series, "The Thin Man" remains one of the best American movies. Filmed in just two weeks by Woody Van Dyke (known as "One-Shot" for his speed and efficiency) and adapted from a Dashiell Hammett story, this is a dynamite blend of murder mystery and clever comedy. William Powell and Myrna Loy are wonderful as Nick and Nora Charles, playing off each other with affectionate, teasing wit. There's humor to spare; lots of snappy one-liners, sexual innuendo and double-entendres (my favorites: "He didn't come anywhere near my tabloids" and "What's that man doing in my drawers?") and some great situational comedy (such as when Nora attempts to out-drink Nick, who never met a mixed drink he didn't like). And of course, there's Asta, the delighfully mischievous pooch who nearly steals the picture, and would become as much of a sensation as the two leads.

Although not as hard-boiled or intricate as say, Raymond Chandler's work, the mystery aspect of the story is well-done, with enough twists to keep the viewer guessing until the revelatory moment. Had the film been more intense, or more violent, the comedic aspects would have come across as jarring and disruptive. But the film strikes the perfect balance between humor and the darker elements of the plot. Like most series, the first film is the best. But the sequels are also extremely well-done, and the series has as much charm today as it did decades ago. Highly, highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: thrilling yet funny
Review: This is an excellent way to spend an evening. The director does a great job on this Dashiell Hammett classic. William Powell and Myrna Loye are a scream as Nick and Nora Charles. They really bring these characters to life.