Hitchcoc
These wonderful crime comedies are of a different time. The main characters, developed by Dashiell Hammet, are so well drawn and so clever, it's hard not to be embrace the two. Of course, their hedonism and disregard for conventional relationships (some would call sheer honesty) are sometimes a bit much for modern audiences. For me, it was a time that had that black and white edge. When Nick was on a case, despite his sarcasm and flippant glib comments, he was so wise, noting clues that others did not see. Also, there is a wonderful, convoluted plot, with numerous figures as possible suspects. Nick and Nora are always in danger, but, of course, they will eventually land on their feet.
DKosty123
This Thin Man Sequel keeps together Nick & Nora Charles, and punishes their dog Asta with a Mrs. Asta who is fooling with the neighbors dog in a show of puppy love cheating. That is the price the dog pays for running around with the Charles.This one picks up where the first movie left off with the couple coming back home to the west coast after solving an east coast murder before. This time there are several murders and Nick Charles starts off as a suspect. What is interesting is how Powell and Loy get into the mix with James Stewart here in his 11th film. Stewart is not yet a star here, but he is a defined character who is not in his usual role. Considering it would be another 3 years before Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Jimmy success took some molding yet. Here with Powell and Loy, he is defined as a supporting player. While his character is a little bit crazy compared to other film roles later, he brings it off very well. He is even given a love interest in this film which does not happen for minor roles that often. The love is poison to his character, and that is a part of the fabric that makes this movie a cut above many sequels.
Tom Rito
This film is not only the best of the Thin Man series, but it is one of my favorite films of all time. The actors are fabulous, even Jimmy Steward plays in his best supporting role. This picture has everything, including the best chemistry between two actors, I have ever seen. The one thing I really love about the movie is the cast. Everyone in the cast is somebody and they all are real characters. The scene when they are sitting at the table with the party for the guy that just got out of prison is great, but just one of the delightful scenes that make up this undervalued gem . In any case it is deffently worth checking it out on DVD.
lugonian
AFTER THE THIN MAN (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1936), directed by W.S. Van Dyke, brings together William Powell and Myrna Loy for the sixth time in a sequel from one of their earlier successes, THE THIN MAN (1934). Aside from reprising their roles of Nick and Nora, the story continues where its predecessor left off, on a train bound from New York to San Francisco. Though the script claims to have the couple traveling on board for three days, this continuation took nearly two years for them to arrive at their destination. With Nick's constant boozing, chances are he never noticed it.San Francisco bound on the Sunset Limited, Nick and Nora Charles (Powell and Loy) along with their wire haired terrier, Asta, coming off the train finding themselves surrounded by reporters and assortment of oddball character friends of Nick's congratulating him on solving the "Thin Man" murder case. Driven home by their chauffeur, Harold (John Kelly), a sophisticated couple passing by greet Nora. When Nick asks who they are, she quips, "You wouldn't know them, darling. They're Respectable!" Arriving home for rest and relaxation before setting out to ring in the New Year, Asta, their pooch, heads over to the dog house to greet Mrs. Asta and their puppies. Much to his surprise, he finds his wife might have been cheating on him while away as he notices another dog at close range. Evening plans change as Nora receives a frantic phone call from her cousin, Salma (Elissa Landi) to come see her at her Nob Hill mansion. Placed under psychiatric care of Doctor Adolph Kramer (George Zucco) by her domineering Aunt Katherine Forrest (Jessie Ralph), Salma's troubles are revealed to Nora as being worried over her husband's three day disappearance and asking Nick to find him. Nick and Nora eventually do find her husband, Robert (Alan Marshal) in a Chinatown nightclub managed by Dancer (Joseph Calleia) and partner, Lum Kee (William Law), drunk and flirting with hostess and singer, Polly Byrnes (Dorothy McNulty). Along the way, Nick and Nora discover that David Graham (James Stewart), Salma's former suitor, had given Robert $25,000 to get out of Salma's life. At the stroke of midnight, Robert is walking down the dark streets. A gunshot is fired. Robert is dead. Once again, Nick comes out of retirement to investigate as well as clear Salma, who's suspected of the killing. Along with Lieutenant Abrams (Sam Levene) of the homicide bureau, Nick encounters more baffling mystery and enough surprises to keep anyone guessing. "You bet yah." Coming close to a two hours in length, AFTER THE THIN MAN is seldom dull. Scripted by the same team (Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett) that produced THE THIN MAN, taken from the same characters created by Dashell Hammett, this is one of the rare cases where a sequel surpasses its original. Through its title, this is the film responsible for labeling Nick Charles as "The Thin Man." Separately or individually, Powell and Loy are in top form playing society sleuths with great chemistry and sense of humor. Powell's finest moments are those involving him coping with Nora's relatives and Aunt Julia's constant outbursts addressing him as "Nick-o-las." Scenes involving Nick and the over-aged butler (Tom Ricketts), and Asta's reunion with Mrs. Asta and the pups, were good enough to become inserted comedy highlights in THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT, PART 2 (1976). Myrna Loy's Nora retains her sophisticated manner, even after getting arrested and spending time in jail for interfering in her husband's investigation. James Stewart, early in his career, also gathers enough attention in his atypical role. The dark-haired Dorothy McNulty, later Penny Singleton of the "Blondie" movie series (1938-1950), as the tough talking mistress, takes the spotlight singing songs at the New Year's Eve celebration, "Blow that Horn" (by Walter Donaldson, Bob Wright and Chet Forrest); and "Smoke Dreams" (by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed). Familiar character actors, Paul Fix, Clarence Kolb and Teddy Hart, also participate in smaller roles.As with THE THIN MAN, the gathering of suspects is its climatic highlight, even better this time around. You bet yah. A grand mix of screwball comedy and murder mystery, AFTER THE THIN MAN, distributed to home video in the 1980s and later on DVD. It's shown regularly on Turner Classic Movies, appropriately on or around New Year's Eve where the story is mostly set. What comes AFTER THE THIN MAN? ANOTHER THIN MAN (1939) with Nick and Nora back in New York. Happy New Year. (***1/2)
