The Thin Man Goes Home (1944)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(2,471 ratings)

This fifth entry in MGM's off-and-on "Thin Man" series maintains the high production and story values of the first four. Per the title, retired private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) pays a visit to his home town of Sycamore Springs, with wife Nora (Myrna Loy) in tow. Poor Nick is amusingly… More This fifth entry in MGM's off-and-on "Thin Man" series maintains the high production and story values of the first four. Per the title, retired private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) pays a visit to his home town of Sycamore Springs, with wife Nora (Myrna Loy) in tow. Poor Nick is amusingly browbeaten by his parents (Harry Davenport and Lucile Watson), who wanted their boy to study medicine, is frustrated by the fact that there isn't a good stiff drink to be had in town, and is hilariously defeated by a recalcitrant hammock. In a more serious vein, Nick and Nora become involved in international intrigue while investigating the murder of a local house painter. If the identity of the murderer seems obvious today, it is only because the actor in question has played so many "surprise killers" in other films of this genre. A refreshing change of pace for the usually urbanized "Thin Man" series, The Thin Man Goes Home features such colorful suspects as Gloria DeHaven, Edward Brophy, Lloyd Corrigan, Leon Ames, and, best of all, Ann Revere as a local eccentric named "Crazy Mary". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Richard Thorpe
Written By: Harry Kurnitz, Robert Riskin, Dwight Taylor
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1945 Wide
On DVD: Aug 2, 2005
Studio: MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Critic Reviews

Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
More in keeping with a classic British mystery
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
By the time The Thin Man Goes Home rolled around, the series was beginning to feel pretty thin itself.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
If the fourth film was formulaic, the fifth one is positively fluff. (The Complete Thin Man Collection)
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The Nick and Nora Charles crime formula story works even in the sticks.

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

Sort of the Thin Man series meets the Andy Hardy series. Good studio fun. "Nick, you have to do something... and that's not it!"
AJ V

Another good, fun, and humorous sequel to the Thin Man.
First L

The Thin Man Goes Home is the fifth Thin Man film and it's evident the series is running out of steam. There's a whole lot more slapstick and puppy comedy involving the dog, but the "mystery" involving a mysterious painting and of course, a couple of murders is… More
The Thin Man Goes Home is the fifth Thin Man film and it's evident the series is running out of steam. There's a whole lot more slapstick and puppy comedy involving the dog, but the "mystery" involving a mysterious painting and of course, a couple of murders is just sort of background side story. I know the Thin Man series relies on the humor and chemistry generated by Loy and Powell, but there also have to be situations that are humorous too. Here, the situations are straining to be funny, but don't quite live up to the previous films. Some of the things the super-sleuth uncovers seem far-fetched, even for a Thin Man movie. Possibly the weakest of the Thin Man movies.
Michael G

A great installment and one of the best of the Thin Man series. A lot better than you'd expect considering this is the fifth in the series and a different director is at the helm. No kid involved but we meet Nick's parents, namely his passive-aggressively disapproving… More
A great installment and one of the best of the Thin Man series. A lot better than you'd expect considering this is the fifth in the series and a different director is at the helm. No kid involved but we meet Nick's parents, namely his passive-aggressively disapproving father. Not a drink is served throughout the entire movie and because of that you're expecting The Thin Man Goes Home to suck, which strangely enough never happens. The Thin Man Dries Out. There are a lot of funny moments, namely Nora's delivery of the Stinky Davis case which is easily one the best moments in the entire series. Even if you're not a big fan of the series you should check it out. It's a perfect blend of screwball comedy and detective story.

Cast

            William Powell as Nick Charles

            Myrna Loy as Nora Charles

            Lucile Watson as Mrs. Charles

            Gloria de Haven as Laura Ronson

            Anne Revere as Crazy Mary

            Harry Davenport as Dr. Bertram Charles

            Edward S. Brophy as Brogan

            Helen Vinson as Helena Draque

            Leon Ames as Edgar Draque

            Donald Meek as Willie Crump

            Lloyd Corrigan as Bruce Clayworth

            Anita Bolster as Hilda

            Ralph Brooke as Peter Berton

            Donald MacBride as Chief MacGregory

            Jean Acker as Tart

            Morris Ankrum as Willoughby

            Irving Bacon as Tom the Proprietor

            Oliver Blake as Reporter

            Dick Botiller as Big Man's Companion

            Ralph Brooks as Tom Burton

            Lucille Brown as Skating Act

            Wally Cassell as Bill Burns

            Nora Cecil as Miss Peavy

            Chester Clute as Drunk

            Clancy Cooper as Butcher

            Thomas P. Dillon
            
            Helen Eby-Rock
            
            Sarah Edwards
            
            Rex Evans as Fat man

            Tom Fadden
            
            Edward Gargan as Mickey

            Connie Gilchrist as Woman with baby

            Sol (Saul) Gorss as Bartender

            Charles Halton as Tatum

            Harry Hayden as Conductor

            Arthur Hohl as Charlie

            Robert E. Homans as Railroad Clerk

            Frank Jaquet as Train Passenger

            Paul Langton as Tom Clayworth

            Mitchell Lewis
            
            Mike Mazurki as Man

            Etta McDaniel as Ronson's Maid

            Catherine McLeod as Montage Shot Daughter

            Clarence Muse as Porter

            Robert E. O'Connor as Baggage Man

            Garry Owen as Pool Player

            Lee Phelps as Cop

            Virginia Sale as Tom's Wife

            Ray Teal as Man

            Anthony Warde as Captain

            Minor Watson as Sam Ronson

            John Wengraf as Big Man

            Don Wilson as Masseur

            Marjorie Wood as Montage Shot Mother

            Joe Yule as Barber

            Joseph J. Greene
            
            Tom Dugan as Slugs

            Jane Green as Housekeeper

            William Hunter as Officer

            Bert May as Sailor

            Bill Smith as Skating Man

            Gloria Dehaven
            
See full cast