Saturday, December 12, 2020

Movie Review // The Thin Man (1934) with William Powell, Myrna Loy & Maureen O'Sullivan

I first watched this years ago and (along with the three subsequent ones) it has become a firm, family favorite standby.

The Thin Man is our introduction to Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) Charles. 

Along with his wife Nora, Nick, a retired detective, is spending Christmas back in his old stomping grounds, New York City. 

There they run into a longtime friend, Dorothy Wynant (Maureen O’Sullivan), who’s soon in dreadful trouble with a family tragedy hanging over her head. Nick’s reluctant to take the case, but prodded by circumstances and Nora's keen interest, he gets involved -- and of course ends up saving the day with cool aplomb. 

The mystery itself is rather a backdrop for the sparkling wit and play between the main characters.

As for the time of year…

Near the center of the film we have this rollicking Christmas party in the midst of which various members of the Wynant family arrive unexpectedly (all with their own agenda) and then get promptly escorted into various private family rooms. 

(I LOVE the husband-wife dynamic. <3

Generally both imperturbable, Loy and Powell play off each other perfectly and it’s delightful, hilarious, and entirely charming.)

And we have this iconic Christmas morning scene with Nick Charles popping Christmas balloons on the tree with his new BB gun. Tis excellent! 

Content wise, it does have drinking and some people getting a bit tipsy, and it is a multiple murder mystery (with one of the characters shot suddenly on camera), but it moves along pretty quickly and there’s nothing too bloody or gory. 

Masterfully done, it never makes light of the nature of the mystery -- at the same time bubbling over effervescently with good spirits. 

In short, it’s altogether fun and happy and enjoyable to watch any time of the year, but especially round about December. I’d love to hear if you’ve seen it! 

Reviewed for PEPS Happy Holidays blogathon.

6 comments:

  1. The Thin Man! Ah, one of my favorites! I've only seen the second and sixth in the series, in addition to this one of course, but I'm dying to see the rest! The interactions between Nick and Nora are so iconic. I used to think that it was a little content heavy, but in my opinion it is tame compared to the book, haha. This has made me want to revisit it, pronto!

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  2. Dear Heidi,

    This is a great review! I've seen this movie, and I like what you wrote about it. As you said, it effervescently blends mystery and holiday spirit.

    Thank you for joining! I added this to the roster.

    Yours Hopefully,

    Tiffany Brannan

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  3. I love this series! I've seen all of them. Nick and Nora are a couple for the ages. I was pretty scared for the first one. This one and the one with Jimmy Stewart are the scariest to me.

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  4. I introduced some of my extended family to this film last Christmas, and, during the holidays, we ended up watching it 3 times!! Like you said, it's a terrific mystery with lots of good cheer (and good spirits - wink).

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  5. I love these films! I've seen all of them, but this one remains my favorite. I would like to rewatch, and then review, all of them at some point. They're so bubbly and cheerful.

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    1. BTW, I have nominated you here for a Sunshine Blogger Award. Play if you want to! Happy Monday!

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