THE THIN MAN GOES HOME
US, 1945, 100 minutes, Black and white.
William Powell, Myrna Loy, Lucile Watson, Gloria De Haven, Anne Revere, Helen Vinson, Harry Davenport, Leon Ames, Donald Meek, Edward Brophy, Lloyd Corrigan, Donald Mac Bride, Morris Ankrum.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.
The Thin Man Goes Home is the second-last of the Thin Man series, the fifth. It had begun in the 1930s – a variation on the detective theme, a sleuthing husband and wife, their family life, their sparring together, solving mysteries. The formula worked very well for the films and they were extremely popular. William Powell and Myrna Loy had appeared in many films together, including Manhattan Melodrama. They work very well as Nick and Nora Charles. They were based on characters created by novelist Dashiell Hammett.
This film is slightly different. Nick and Nora and their dog Asta (a feature of all the films, although it is said that this was not the original Asta because the original had grown too old) go to upstate New York on a holiday to stay with Nick’s parents. The parents are played by Lucile Watson and Harry Davenport. Nick’s father is a doctor who is disappointed that his son didn’t follow in his footsteps and does not take into account his skill as a detective. Nora is at pains to prove that Nick is very good at his work.
The people in the town become suspicious – and there are some suspicious goings-on, including several murders. Needless to say, Nick becomes involves and solves the mystery – in the kind of drawing-room fashion where everybody is gathered together and, like Poirot or Miss Marple, everything is explained.
There is a good supporting cast of MGM character actors and the film was directed by Richard Thorpe, a veteran director of all genres of MGM films, after the initial series was directed by W.S. Van Dyke.
While the film is dated – it is a pleasant throwback to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 40s as well as a murder mystery. Most people will not guess the murderer – although the film uses the Agatha Christie method of having a character interrupt proceedings all the time with the audience wishing that he would go away – and of course he is the murderer.
1. The popularity of the series, the popular characters, comedy, the mystery and its solving?
2. MGM production values, black and white photography, New York State? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Nick and Nora, the family, Asta?
4. Nick going on holidays, going to see his parents, the train ride, the problems with Asta, the baggage car, the bottle of milk for the baby, broken and his turning up?
5. William Powell as Nick, the background of the other films, his debonair manner, drinking, drinking cider, his reputation, going to see his father, the clash with his father? Nora and her sardonic tone?
6. Dr Charles, his work, building a hospital, his hopes for Nick, the gibes? The mother as nice and fussing?
7. The police, collaboration with Nick, people and the response around the town, the gossip, Nora’s noncommittal interview and the rumours?
8. The maid, welcoming Nick and Nora, her screams throughout the film, her seeming suspicions – and the comedy of her wanting an autograph at the end?
9. Willoughby, the teacher, suspicious, the factory? Draque and his wife? Their wariness, the issue of the painting and trying to get it? Ronson and his place in the town, business, his concern about his daughter? Dr Clayworth and his son? Berton and his art? The place of Crazy Mary and her denunciations? Willie Crump and his selling the paintings? The audience watching the various suspects?
10. Crazy Mary, her character, her attack on Nick, the background of her story, the affair with the rich man, her son, the orphanage, her shame, his pictures, her disappointment with her son, getting the picture back, her death?
11. The artist, working at the factory, being moved around? Coming to Nick, his being shot? His identity, Crazy Mary’s son? His pictures, the plans of the plant and the bomber? The pictures covering them?
12. Clayworth’s son, going out with Laura Belle? Laura Belle and Tom? The alibi, Laura Belle and her overdramatising things?
13. Willoughby, the factory, the orders, Ronson, responsibilities? The espionage?
14. Dr Clayworth, his work, his memories of Nick, the comparisons, his being obtrusive and unobtrusive, examining the bullets, giving his opinions, the revelation of the truth, his anger, pulling the gun?
15. Draque, sinister, the money, the paintings, using his wife, her not realising the truth? The final confrontation?
16. Willie Crump, Nora buying the painting, for Nick, his getting dressed without noticing it, his not liking the windmill? Giving the painting for charity? Draque wanting to get it? The plans? His following Nora, buying her the drink, her setting up the fight, the police arresting Draque? Nora’s suspicions of Brogan?
17. Brogan, his friendship with Nick, Nora tailing him, bringing in the gun at the end – and his working for Nick? The humour of his proverbs and quotations?
18. The gathering of everyone, the explanation of the situation, the revelation of the truth – and Dr Charles’ admiration for his son?
