THE THIN MAN
US, 1935, 93 minutes, Black and white.
William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, Cesar Romero.
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke.
The Thin Man was the first in a series of seven films which were produced over ten years by MGM. They were based on characters by writer Dashiell Hammett. The characters are Nick and Nora Charles. He is a former detective, she his rich wife. The spark of the film is in their relationship, living of the high life, the wit of the verbal interchanged. They also solve murder mysteries.
The screenplay was written by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, who wrote a number of films over the decades, including Naughty Marietta, Rose Marie, The Firefly, Lady in the Dark, It’s a Wonderful Life, Easter Parade, Father of the Bride and Father’s Little Dividend. The film was directed by Woody Van Dyke, who directed a whole range of films at MGM during this period.
The thin Man was nominated for several Oscars including best picture, director and William Powell as best actor. William Powell and Myrna Loy proved a very popular screen couple.
1. The classic status of this film? Small budgeted and quickly made in the thirties, the immediate popularity, the series and continued popularity for a decade? Why? The appeal now?
2. The comedy contribution especially of the interaction between the stars, the flip and ironic attitude towards society, crime, marriage? The ironic tilts at society? The mystery aspects and victim's clues? How well did the film blend comedy and mystery?
3. The tone of the thirties for entertainment - the picture of New York society, smoothness of presentation? M.G.M. style in black and white photography, sets?
4. The particular qualities that Myrna Loy and William Powell brought to their roles? The quality of their marriage, the easy relationship between the two? Nick and his work, Nora and her wealth, the interplay of detective work and wealth? The humorous contribution of Asta and the rather human-like behaviour of the dog? Sure-fire box office combination?
5. The introduction to the murder mystery with Wynant? his moods, sacking of his assistant, response to Dorothy and her forthcoming marriage? His work, mysterious going away, his relationship with Julia and his attitude towards her taking the bonds? Sufficient information and atmosphere for crime and mystery?
6. The range of suspects and their delineation? Strong character drawing, elements of suspicion? Mimi as the empty-headed society wife, attitude towards her husband, towards Chris, towards her son and daughter, towards money? Her taking the link from Julia's dead hand? Gilbert and the satire on the introverted theoretical type? Chris as younger than Mimi and acting suspiciously and his bigamy? Morelli and his association with Julia? The lawyer and his unobtrusive presence - taken for granted and then the truth? Tanner and his relationship with Wynant?
7. Julia and her liaison with Wynant, financial situation, her murder?
8. Nunheim and his involvement, exploiting the situation, the inevitability of his death for blackmail?
9. The investigations by Nick and his skill, his presence? The party sequence, the search of Wynant's laboratory, working with the police?
10. Comic aspects: the party as a long sequence, the Christmas sequence, sending Nora to Grant's Tomb?
11. The traditional denouement with all the suspects present at the table? Nick and his not knowing the answer? His contriving the situation and piecing together the plot - with the audience working with him? The surprise of the ending? How satisfying an entertainment, comedy, themes of right and wrong, justice, crime?
