SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941), directed by Major W.S. Van Dyke II, the fourth installment to the popular series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, re-teams the dual in another caper of murder, mystery and comedy. Aside from this being Powell and Loy's eleventh pairing, the roles as Nick and Nora Charles are certainly their most recognizable, if not credible, of anything they've ever done together on screen. Based on the characters created by Dashiell Hammett, and story by Harry Kurnitz, SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN, regardless of slight changes in scenery and additional characters, continues to stick closer it its given format.
The story finds Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) back in California with their four-year-old son, Nicky Jr. (Dickie Hall) and their dog, Asta, with a new addition to the household, Stella (Louise Beavers), the maid. Taking up residence at the St. Cloud Hotel, Nick and Nora take the afternoon driving to the race track where, upon their arrival, immediately encounter the police force and Sergeant Abrams (Sam Levene) of the Homicide Bureau investigating the murder of Gomez, a jockey, suspected of throwing a race. Instead of betting on the horses, Nick finds himself back to crime solving. Much to his dismay, Nora, thriving for excitement, attempts to accompany him on his latest case. Others involved are Paul Clarke (Barry Nelson), a news reporter and later prime suspect to a second murder; Whitey Barrow (Alan Baxter), a rival reporter associated with fixed races and racketeers; Claire Porter (Stella Adler), Whitey's girlfriend; Molly Ford (Donna Reed), secretary to loan-shark, Link Stevens (Loring Smith); Major Jason I. Skulley (Henry O'Neill), chairman of the State Athletic Commission; and McGuire (Will Wright), a mysterious ticket agent.
By this time, the formula was becoming repetitious, especially along the spoken lines of Nick telling his gathered suspects that "someone has spilled the beans," as opposed to the similar lines, "someone has made a slip" from AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936), where co-star, Sam Levene, originated his role as Sergeant Abrams. Now that Nick and Nora have an addition to the family, domestic scenes seem to center upon the youngster's activities from his father's point of view rather than the mother's. For his introduction, Little Nicky (in military uniform), knows his father would rather read the racing form than fairy tales from his book. Later, at the breakfast table, Nicky won't drink milk until his father does, causing the cocktail drinker to change his ways. The third (and last) finds Nicky (in sailor suit this time) on the carousel in a department store where Nick tries to impress his son (and other obnoxious kids) by riding on it himself. "Who's a fraidy cat?" One can only assume that whenever Nicky is out of view during those long stretches that Stella is the one watching over him.
Of the many amusements inserted here, the best happens to be one where Nick and Nora gets a police escort to the race track by a motorcycle cop (Edgar Dearing) after giving Nick a speeding ticket. With the 1940s in full circle, Myrna Loy's fashions change with it. She gets enough attention and slide remarks about her "screwy hat" (looking like a giant plate) while attending the wrestling match at the arena. Another scene set at Mario's Grotto Night Club also results to humor where it's Asta, the terrier, unwittingly stirring up some excitement there.
One thing about series films such as this one, with a new theatrical release once every two to three years, is seeing how the stories were either progressing or regressing. Loy's Nora was becoming less sophisticated and more dim-witted at times. Still, the best part of the "Thin Man" mysteries is the method of Nick's deduction and the element of surprise when exposing the real killer. Whatever weakness the film contains, the final minutes make up for it, thus satisfactory entertainment for fans of the series. And who can forget such character names of Nick's oddball friends as Spider Webb (Joe Oakie), Meatballs Murphy (John Kelly) and Rainbow Benny Loomis (Lou Lubin), among others. Classic TV fans will take notice of Sid Melton (Ralph of "Green Acres") in a small role as Fingers.
Available on home video before distribution to DVD, take notice the theatrical trailer inserted in the DVD names Nick and Nora as "Mr. and Mrs. Thin Man." Though no shadows, it's official. Nick Charles is "The Thin Man." This and five others in the series can be found on Turner Classic Movies. Next installment: THE THIN MAN GOES HOME (1944). (***)
The story finds Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) back in California with their four-year-old son, Nicky Jr. (Dickie Hall) and their dog, Asta, with a new addition to the household, Stella (Louise Beavers), the maid. Taking up residence at the St. Cloud Hotel, Nick and Nora take the afternoon driving to the race track where, upon their arrival, immediately encounter the police force and Sergeant Abrams (Sam Levene) of the Homicide Bureau investigating the murder of Gomez, a jockey, suspected of throwing a race. Instead of betting on the horses, Nick finds himself back to crime solving. Much to his dismay, Nora, thriving for excitement, attempts to accompany him on his latest case. Others involved are Paul Clarke (Barry Nelson), a news reporter and later prime suspect to a second murder; Whitey Barrow (Alan Baxter), a rival reporter associated with fixed races and racketeers; Claire Porter (Stella Adler), Whitey's girlfriend; Molly Ford (Donna Reed), secretary to loan-shark, Link Stevens (Loring Smith); Major Jason I. Skulley (Henry O'Neill), chairman of the State Athletic Commission; and McGuire (Will Wright), a mysterious ticket agent.
By this time, the formula was becoming repetitious, especially along the spoken lines of Nick telling his gathered suspects that "someone has spilled the beans," as opposed to the similar lines, "someone has made a slip" from AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936), where co-star, Sam Levene, originated his role as Sergeant Abrams. Now that Nick and Nora have an addition to the family, domestic scenes seem to center upon the youngster's activities from his father's point of view rather than the mother's. For his introduction, Little Nicky (in military uniform), knows his father would rather read the racing form than fairy tales from his book. Later, at the breakfast table, Nicky won't drink milk until his father does, causing the cocktail drinker to change his ways. The third (and last) finds Nicky (in sailor suit this time) on the carousel in a department store where Nick tries to impress his son (and other obnoxious kids) by riding on it himself. "Who's a fraidy cat?" One can only assume that whenever Nicky is out of view during those long stretches that Stella is the one watching over him.
Of the many amusements inserted here, the best happens to be one where Nick and Nora gets a police escort to the race track by a motorcycle cop (Edgar Dearing) after giving Nick a speeding ticket. With the 1940s in full circle, Myrna Loy's fashions change with it. She gets enough attention and slide remarks about her "screwy hat" (looking like a giant plate) while attending the wrestling match at the arena. Another scene set at Mario's Grotto Night Club also results to humor where it's Asta, the terrier, unwittingly stirring up some excitement there.
One thing about series films such as this one, with a new theatrical release once every two to three years, is seeing how the stories were either progressing or regressing. Loy's Nora was becoming less sophisticated and more dim-witted at times. Still, the best part of the "Thin Man" mysteries is the method of Nick's deduction and the element of surprise when exposing the real killer. Whatever weakness the film contains, the final minutes make up for it, thus satisfactory entertainment for fans of the series. And who can forget such character names of Nick's oddball friends as Spider Webb (Joe Oakie), Meatballs Murphy (John Kelly) and Rainbow Benny Loomis (Lou Lubin), among others. Classic TV fans will take notice of Sid Melton (Ralph of "Green Acres") in a small role as Fingers.
Available on home video before distribution to DVD, take notice the theatrical trailer inserted in the DVD names Nick and Nora as "Mr. and Mrs. Thin Man." Though no shadows, it's official. Nick Charles is "The Thin Man." This and five others in the series can be found on Turner Classic Movies. Next installment: THE THIN MAN GOES HOME (1944). (***)