After the Thin Man (1936)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(4,302 ratings)

This second of MGM's Thin Man films reteams William Powell and Myrna Loy as, respectively, bibulous private detective Nick Charles and his socialite wife Nora. The Charleses are sucked into another murder case via Nick's lovely cousin Elissa Landi, whose husband Alan Marshall has vanished. Hubby has… More This second of MGM's Thin Man films reteams William Powell and Myrna Loy as, respectively, bibulous private detective Nick Charles and his socialite wife Nora. The Charleses are sucked into another murder case via Nick's lovely cousin Elissa Landi, whose husband Alan Marshall has vanished. Hubby has been conducting an affair with nightclub thrush Dorothy McNulty (later known as Penny Singleton) and is also blackmailing gangsterish Joseph Calleia. When the corpses begin piling up, Nick and Nora try to piece the clues together, with the earnest assistance of Jimmy Stewart, who carries a torch for Landi. You won't believe who turns out to be the murderer in this one--then again, given the plot's strict adherence to "least likely suspect" formula, you probably will. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: W.S. Van Dyke
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 25, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Aug 2, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
After the Thin Man boasts two things that the original lacks; a much more engaging caper, and a first-rate performance by a shockingly young Jimmy Stewart.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A good enough sequel to The Thin Man.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
In the view of many fans, After the Thin Man (1936) is the best episode in the series; and I can't say I disagree.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...as delightful an entry in the series as the first movie was. (The Complete Thin Man Collection)
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
For some this funny, witty, well-acted sequel is better than the first picture in the series.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
A strong sequel with a most unusual villain.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Superior sequel. Not up to the original, but close

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

"Nora, let's get something to eat, I'm thirsty." A decent mystery and more knowing naughtiness with Mr. & Mrs Charles. Myrna's gowns are off the hook in this one.
AJ V

A great sequel to The Thin Man, I recommend seeing the whole series they're all so good. This one has a very surprising performance from James Stewart.
First L

The sequel to The Thin Man finds Nick and Norah Charles on their way home to California after solving the east coast case (as seen in the first film). Nick thinks he's in for a restful respite after his New York adventure, but upon arriving home, Norah's cousin calls for… More
The sequel to The Thin Man finds Nick and Norah Charles on their way home to California after solving the east coast case (as seen in the first film). Nick thinks he's in for a restful respite after his New York adventure, but upon arriving home, Norah's cousin calls for help, desperate to find her missing husband. He is out running around with other women, and soon gets himself stuck in a blackmailing scheme. Much of this movie will seem familiar to those who've seen the first one, it follows the previously established formula very faithfully. We the audience are given a list of suspects, all with a possible motive for murder, and are allowed the fun of trying to figure out "who dun it". Myrna Loy and William Powell reprise their roles as the lovingly sophisticated and witty couple, and Powell's Nick is still a raging alcoholic (and of course Asta, their cute little dog is back, cuter than ever). Perhaps it's not quite as good as the first one (the dialogue is a little less risque and funny this time around), but there's enough laughs and surprises to make it well worth a watch.
moon r

somebody has to be the bad guy...but who's it gonna be, hmmmm? i won't tell...
Michael G

A rather impressive sequel. It's for the most part just a copy of the first one with more Asta, slightly less drinking and a change of locale. A very young Jimmy Stewart doesn't hurt either.
Sunil J

An alright sequel to an amazing movie.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            William Powell as Nick Charles

            Myrna Loy as Nora Charles

            James Stewart as David Graham

            Elissa Landi as Selma Landis

            Joseph Calleia as Dancer

            Jessie Ralph as Aunt Katherine Forrest

            Alan Marshal as Robert Landis

            Teddy Hart as Floyd Casper

            Sam Levene as Lt. Abrams

            William Law as Lum Kee

            George Zucco as Dr. Adolph Kammer

            Paul Fix as Phil Byrnes

            Edie Adams as Girl

            Ernie Alexander
            
            Murray Alper as Kid

            Charles Arnt as Drunk (uncredited)

            Vince Barnett as Wrestling manager

            William Benedict
            
            Donald Briggs as Reporter

            William Burress as General

            John K. Butler as Racetrack Tout

            Joe Caits as Joe

            Charles "Heinie" Conklin
            
            Edgar Dearing as Bill the San Francisco Policeman

            Dorothée as Polly Byrnes

            Mary Gordon as Rose (the cook)

            Maude Turner Gordon as Helen

            Ben Hall as Butcher Boy

            Sherry Hall as Photographer

            Clarence Kolb as Lucius

            Richard Loo as Headwaiter

            Dorothy McNulty as Polly Byrnes

            John T. Murray as Jerry

            Jack Norton as Reporter

            Harvey Parry
            
            Thomas Pogue as William

            George H. Reed as Porter

            Tom Ricketts as Henry the Butler

            Constantine Romanoff
            
            Dick Rush as San Francisco Detective

            Alice H. Smith as Emily

            George Taylor as Eddie

            Zeffie Tilbury as Lucy

            Charles Trowbridge as Police Examiner

            Harry Tyler as Fingers

            Guy Usher as Chief of Detectives

            Monte Vandergrift as Man (uncredited)

            Dorothy Vaughan as Charlotte

            Bobby Watson as Leader of Late Crowd

            Eric Wilton as Peter butler

            John Kelly as Harold

            George Guhl as S.F. Police Captain

            Baldwin Cooke as Photographer

            Edith Kingdon as Hattie

            Sue Moore
            
            Jack Adair as Escort of Dizzy Blonde

            Ed Allen as Man

            Joe Phillips as Willie

            Jack Raymond as Photographer
See full cast