Rachel Daniels

English 395

Film Review: The Thin Man

When asked to envision a classic movie private detective, I unfailingly picture Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade from The Maltese Falcon. When one understands that both The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man are both based on detective novels by Dashiell Hammett, one might suppose that the private detective characters would be somewhat similar. One would be wrong. Sam Spade embodies the street tough private dick, who is almost as likely to be arrested as the criminals that he trails. Nick Charles, delightfully played by William Powell in The Thin Man, is almost the anti-Spade. His main characteristic seems to be an ability to solve crime while simultaneously throwing parties were he is constantly intoxicated. I facetiously wondered if his real objective in the film was to locate his next drink, rather then to find the murderer.

Nick is a former private eye who is married to Nora (Myrna Loy), a rather frivolous socialite. Nick and Nora have been living in California for a number of years, where they have been attending to Nora’s multiple investments. During their holiday trip to New York City, Nick is approached by Dorothy Wynant (Maureen O’Sullivan) whose father has disappeared. Clyde Wynant (Edward Ellis) is an inventor who has not been seen for several months. This however has not stopped the police from charging him with several murders, starting with his secretary/girlfriend. While Nick maintains that he is not interested in working as a private detective, he is soon dragged into the mystery against his will. Of course this is much to the delight of Nora, who can’t wait to see her husband in action and possibly do some detecting herself.

The Thin Man is a thoroughly charming film, filled with comic moments, but which maintains the mystery of who the murderer really is until the very end. This ability of concealing the secret of the murderer’s identity, while not allowing that concealment to become obvious is the trademark of good writing. Excellent writing is also apparent in the snappy, one-line comments that are fired off between Nick and Nora. However, that superb writing might have fallen flat had it not been for the stunning chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy. They effortlessly present the image of a couple that have been married for long enough that they can make glib comments at each other’s expense without fear of offense. This combination of witty comments and complex murder plot makes The Thin Man a pleasure to experience.