The Thin Man (1934)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Pierluigi P

  
  Glorious, Joyous dinner date with murder and laughter hand in hand. Powell and Loy are one charming couple.

• Lanning :

  
  Some friends gave me the complete <i>Thin Man</i> series for Christmas, and I have to say after several viewings of all six that the pairing of William Powell and Myrna Loy is one of those matches made in Hollywood Heaven. There are few teams that leap to mind as being… More
  Some friends gave me the complete <i>Thin Man</i> series for Christmas, and I have to say after several viewings of all six that the pairing of William Powell and Myrna Loy is one of those matches made in Hollywood Heaven. There are few teams that leap to mind as being better suited to each other; their screen energy is a beautiful phenomenon to behold. Powell is already on my very select all-time favorite actors list, and I'm thinking that Loy is going up there right after I finish writing these comments. <p> What I find most interesting about the critical comments is not that almost everyone agrees that Powell and Loy are great, but that the series is short on story, flimsy of narrative, lacking in substance -- and one critic goes to far as to say that each successive film is weaker than the one before. <p> Sorry, I have to disagree. I think the stories are interesting, cleverly conceived, and well written. They are so smartly written, in fact, that the writers have managed to let the plot play in the background so that we can all concentrate on the chemistry of Powell and Loy. Seriously, if I were looking for great literature, I'd turn to the book shelf and dig around for Shakespeare or something, but just like the live audience members back when this series played the theaters, I'm here to see Powell, Loy -- and Asta -- make their magic. And I definitely think that the last one, <i>Song of the Thin Man</i>, is just as magical as the first : )

• AJ V

  
  The first movie in the best detective series, The Thin Man series. Powell and Loy are like peas in a pod, they work so well together. The movies are hilarious and fun to watch. Everyone with a sense of humor will love these movies.

• Ross C

  
  Retired private eye is dragged into another case along with his laissez-faire attitude and deadpan humour. He, together with his wife and dog, spawned a bunch of identical looking sequels (judging by the trailers) that must have been one of the first comedy series.

• Veronique K

  
  this flick is the best example of classic sophistication comedy which depicts the droll mannerishness of upper class, and william powell excercises his playful debonair charm to the utmost scale, and myrna loy resonates him greatly like a harmonical symphony. the thin man… More
  this flick is the best example of classic sophistication comedy which depicts the droll mannerishness of upper class, and william powell excercises his playful debonair charm to the utmost scale, and myrna loy resonates him greatly like a harmonical symphony. the thin man detective plot is simply operated on the formula of "who'dun'it!" but the point is not about the crime but its seemingly insipid detective who doesn't wanna tackle this case at the first place but gets involved due to the whim of his mischievous wife. the constant requirement of booze is one element in this flick to indicate the hedonism of the well-to-do but the point is they drink with class and glamour without objectionable gaffe. every moment is a joyous drinking time, and being leisure gracefully seems to be their sacred obligation to perform. the camera looms over powell's cynically mocking gestures for times as he exuberates the cigarette circles aloofly or his famours line "oh! bull's eyes!" and loy's comic flair could rival with powell with her perfect timing of grimaces toward his trivial mild jokes that is adorably likable as well. the best allure of thin man is also the cozy backset of gender symmetry with agreeable family picture, powell as good paternal image who respects his lovely wife who also expresses enough matron sophistication as a demure female. they sleep in seperate beds without contiminating audience's consecrated protype of parents, and there's one cute puppy who could only bark but hide during the gun shots. the whole picture arouses audience's thick nostalgia of soundly ideal family atmosphere as if you back to the easeful days of childhood without the complex misgivings of life as you burden in your adulthood.

• William S

  
  A film that combines two of my favourite genres at their peak: The Screwball Comedy and Detective Story. The detective story element is less important than the one-liners but it's testament to the film makers of the day that they invested a good deal of depth to both elements.… More
  A film that combines two of my favourite genres at their peak: The Screwball Comedy and Detective Story. The detective story element is less important than the one-liners but it's testament to the film makers of the day that they invested a good deal of depth to both elements. One of the things I love about The Thin Man is that William Powell's character Nick is drunk from beginning to end! Playing a drunk is one of those things that looks so easy when it's done well but it's notoriously difficult to play it convincingly and Powell pulls it off for the length of the film! Myrna Loy & William Powell play their characters as hedonists - they are in this for the laughs and good times and it's what makes it so charming and seductive - it pulls you in for the ride! I love the scene as the two heroes lounge around enjoying their Christmas day. Nick shooting a pellet gun at the balloons on the tree and Nora looking on disapprovingly in a massive mink coat "Say, aren't you hot in that?" "Yes, I'm stifling, but it's SO pretty?" They made many sequels. After The Thin Man, the 2nd film, is ok, but they only got steadily more tiresome: Nick and Nora becoming 'respectable' - less of the inebriated Nick and even producing offspring!? (Asta was a true star and the baby of this family and didn't need 'real' children upstaging him!)

• Jennifer X

  
  Aww, Myrna Loy and William Powell are so cute together! The plot was messy but seeing those two together was amaazing.

• moon r

  
  if you match this couple drink for drink the movie actually gets better, but i still don't know how it ends...maybe i should watch it sober once just to find out, but what i remember is very witty, very urbane, very smart...very "i wish i was them", which is what's… More
  if you match this couple drink for drink the movie actually gets better, but i still don't know how it ends...maybe i should watch it sober once just to find out, but what i remember is very witty, very urbane, very smart...very "i wish i was them", which is what's called movie magic

• Michael G

  
  A really cool and classy movie. Powell and Loy (who by the way is so cute she makes me want to kill something) have amazing chemistry together. It's easy to see why they made so many sequels which I'm sure are nowhere as good as this one. I still want to check them out… More
  A really cool and classy movie. Powell and Loy (who by the way is so cute she makes me want to kill something) have amazing chemistry together. It's easy to see why they made so many sequels which I'm sure are nowhere as good as this one. I still want to check them out though. I also liked the pace, which seemed to be set by or move as quickly as the snappy dialogue between Powell and Loy. A lot of booze in this one--this may or may not enhance the viewing of this movie.

• Byron B

  
  It amazes me that this was shot in 12 days. The 30's style of dress, decor, and dialog is great fun. The mystery based on Hammett's book has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Lots of great one liners, many of them much naughtier than I expected for the time… More
  It amazes me that this was shot in 12 days. The 30's style of dress, decor, and dialog is great fun. The mystery based on Hammett's book has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Lots of great one liners, many of them much naughtier than I expected for the time period. Powell and Loy as Nick and Nora Charles are a riot to watch. She is his Dr. Watson. He a boozy, reluctant Sherlock. The third member of the classic triangle is Pendleton as Lieutenant Guild, their Lestrade. Guild jumps to the wrong conclusions throughout fingering suspect after suspect as the murderer. The cast of suspects is an interesting bunch and the final dinner scene where Nick Charles unravels the plot is entertaining and suspenseful.

• Matthew Y

  
  William Powell and Myrna Loy play the famed detective couple Nick and Nora Charles. With a book series, movie series and eventual TV series this was one of the most well known properties in the early part of the 20th century. It's a decent mystery thriller though I have to… More
  William Powell and Myrna Loy play the famed detective couple Nick and Nora Charles. With a book series, movie series and eventual TV series this was one of the most well known properties in the early part of the 20th century. It's a decent mystery thriller though I have to admit it really showed as a part to a series as opposed to a stand alone film. The couple have a built in appeal complete with mannerisms, quirks and weird couple stuff. Oh and a lovable genius dog that I'm sure was the true star back in 1934. I think the film The Artist took a few cues from The Thing Man.

• Mike T

  
  A lively, charming American classic featuring some of the best onscreen chemistry I've ever seen. Powell and Loy, the two leads, work so well with one another that they make the movie worth seeing for that reason alone. It also happens to be a smartly penned, wholly engaging… More
  A lively, charming American classic featuring some of the best onscreen chemistry I've ever seen. Powell and Loy, the two leads, work so well with one another that they make the movie worth seeing for that reason alone. It also happens to be a smartly penned, wholly engaging mystery that plays out at an ideal pace.

• Anthony V

  
  The plot is okay, but the real show here is Powell and Loy who create some of the most notable film characters in cinema history.

• monty h

  
  The first in the long running series of films about Nick and Nora Charles, a husband and wife detective team ably played by William Powell and Myrna Loy. The story kicks off when our duo is picked to investigate the disappearance of a scientist. Well, Nick is asked, Nora decides to… More
  The first in the long running series of films about Nick and Nora Charles, a husband and wife detective team ably played by William Powell and Myrna Loy. The story kicks off when our duo is picked to investigate the disappearance of a scientist. Well, Nick is asked, Nora decides to tag along. It's all fun and games until Nick runs into some questionable relatives and colleagues who didn't get along with the missing man. Powell and Loy make the perfect team and the wisecracks fly pretty fast. Five more thin man films would follow this one and they all are very entertaining. But I think this one is the best one. Well the followup, After The Thin Man is pretty good too. Enjoy. <div style="width:231px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/link/8571108"><img src="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/8571108.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">Flixster</a> - Share Movies</div></div> Lieutenant John Guild: You got a pistol permit? Nick Charles: No. Lieutenant John Guild: Ever heard of the Sullivan Act? Nora Charles: Oh, that's all right, we're married.

• Sunil J

  
  Myrna Loy and William Powell are one of the best comedy duos of all time. Their chemistry in this movie is amazing.

• Keith M

  
  I have seen this film over and over, but last night was my second time to see it on the big screen. Now that the Drafthouse serves liquor it makes it even more special to have a gin martini and toast William Powell as he gets drunk and solves mysteries. It really is one of my favorite… More
  I have seen this film over and over, but last night was my second time to see it on the big screen. Now that the Drafthouse serves liquor it makes it even more special to have a gin martini and toast William Powell as he gets drunk and solves mysteries. It really is one of my favorite films and if you haven't seen it I highly recommend it.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings