The Thin Man (1934)
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97% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
93% of users liked it
(12,450 ratings)
Filmed on what MGM considered a B-picture budget and schedule (14 days, which at Universal or Columbia would have been considered extravagant), The Thin Man proved to be "sleeper," spawning a popular film, radio, and television series. Contrary to popular belief, the title does not refer… More Filmed on what MGM considered a B-picture budget and schedule (14 days, which at Universal or Columbia would have been considered extravagant), The Thin Man proved to be "sleeper," spawning a popular film, radio, and television series. Contrary to popular belief, the title does not refer to star William Powell, but to Edward Ellis, playing the mean-spirited inventor who sets the plot in motion. The recently divorced Clyde Wynant (Ellis) discovers that his new girlfriend, Julia Wolf (Natalie Moorhead), has stolen 50,000 dollars and is carrying on with other men. Not long afterward, he disappears. Anxious to locate her father, Wynant' daughter, Dorothy (Maureen O'Sullivan), goes to private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) for help. Having just married the lovely and wealthy Nora (Myrna Loy), Nick has no desire to return to sleuthing, but the thrill-seeking Nora eagerly talks him into taking Dorothy's case. Shortly thereafter, Wynant's lady friend is murdered; so far as police detective John Guild (Nat Pendleton) is concerned, the still-missing Wynant is the guilty party. Nick is unsatisfied with this deduction, and with the help of his wire fox terrier, Asta, he manages to uncover several vital clues -- including a decomposed corpse. At a fancy dinner party, between cocktails and the first course, Nick solves the mystery and exposes a hidden murderer. The story itself, lifted almost verbatim by scenarists Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich from the Dashiell Hammett novel on which The Thin Man is based, hardly matters. The film's strong suit is the witty repartee between Nick and Nora Charles, who manage to behave like saucily illicit lovers throughout the film even though they're married. The chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy would be adroitly exploited by MGM in several subsequent films, including five additional Thin Man mysteries produced between 1936 and 1948. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- W.S. Van Dyke
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- May 23, 1934 Wide
- Studio
- MGM
Critic Reviews
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
One of the most popular comedies ever made.
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Variety Staff, Variety
The Thin Man was an entertaining novel, and now it's an entertaining picture.
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Tom Milne, Time Out
What enchants, really, is the relationship between Nick and Nora as they live an eternal cocktail hour, bewailing hangovers that only another little drink will cure, in a marvellous blend of marital familiarity and constant courtship.
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Mordaunt Hall, New York Times
An excellent combination of comedy and excitement.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Thin Man was one of the most popular films of 1934, inspired five sequels, and was nominated for four Oscars (best picture, actor, direction and screenplay). Yet it was made as an inexpensive B-picture.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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William Powell
as Nick Charles
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Myrna Loy
as Nora Charles
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Maureen O'Sullivan
as Dorothy Wynant
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Nat Pendleton
as Lt. John Guild
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Minna Gombell
as Mimi Wynant
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Porter Hall
as MacCaulay
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Henry Wadsworth
as Tommy
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William Henry
as Gilbert Wynant
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Harold Huber
as Nunheim
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Cesar Romero
as Chris Jorgenson
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Natalie Moorhead
as Julia Wolf
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Edward S. Brophy
as Joe Morelli
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Edward Ellis
as Clyde Wynant
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Cyril Thornton
as Tanner
- Polly Bailey
- Arthur Belasco
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Ruth Channing
as Mrs. Jorgenson
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Clay Clement
as Quinn
- Nick Copeland
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Pat Flaherty
as Cop/Fighter
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Kenneth Gibson
as Apartment Clerk
- Creighton Hale
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Sherry Hall
as Taxi Driver
- Edward Hearn
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Robert E. Homans
as Bill the Detective
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Walter Long
as Stutsy Burke
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Fred Malatesta
as Headwaiter
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Garry Owen
as Detective
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Bert Roach
as Foster
- Rolfe Sedan
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Gertrude Short
as Marion
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Ben Taggart
as Police Captain
- Phil Tead
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Dink Templeton
as Reporter
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Harry Tenbrook
as Guest
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Huey White
as Tefler
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Leo White
as Waiter
- Douglas Fowley
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John Larkin
as Porter
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Charles Williams
as Fight Manager
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Raymond Brown
as Dr. Walton
- Thomas E. Jackson
