After the Thin Man

 

 

Create your own review

Dashiell Hammett only ever wrote one novel about Nick and Nora Charles, the wealthy hubby-and-wife detectives. But of course that didn't stop Hollywood from producing a string of Nick-and-Nora mysteries.

The first of these sequels was the solid sequel "After the Thin Man," which takes place only a few days after the original "Thin Man." While it's not as spellbindingly twisty as its predecessor, it is a genuinely good, suspenseful mystery, full of humour and

Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) are just returning to New York, when they get a call from Nora's bossy Aunt Katherine (Jessie Ralph), who orders them to come over for New Year's Eve. The decrepit, snobby relatives all despise "Nich-o-las," but they aren't above asking him to find Cousin Selma's golddigging husband Robert (Alan Marshal). Nick and Nora manage to track him down -- only a few hours before he's found dead in the street.

Unsurprisingly, Selma (Elissa Landi) is the primary suspect -- although Robert's girlfriend, her lover and her hubby are also prime suspects, as is the gangster he's blackmailing. Though Nick swore "no more cases," he finds himself searching for the clues that could set Selma free -- but which of the people who wanted to kill Robert actually did it?

Sure, without Hammett's story behind it, the story is never quite as brilliant as "The Thin Man." But with that out of the way, "After the Thin Man" is a remarkably seamless and entertaining sequel -- the leads crack wise again and again. And there's even a funny subplot about poor Asta being cuckolded by a Mrs. Asta and very fast Scottie.

The dialogue is fast and sparkling ("We wanna go someplace to get the taste of respectability out of our mouths!"), and the action all takes play in fun nightclubs, stuffy old rich homes, and the sleek mansion where Nick and Nora sleep all day. And the mystery is definitely baffling, with all sorts of oblique clues and personal secrets -- and a murderer whose identity definitely comes as a shock.

Loy and Powell have the same champagne humor that made them famous -- jibes, wisecracks, and lots of love. The other actors (including quirky crooks and creepy doctors) are usually quite solid although Landi flings herself around in an unintentionally funny manner. The standout is then-rising star Jimmy Stewart, who plays a typical role with a brilliant twist.

"After the Thin Man" is a suitable sequel to the first "Thin Man" movie, and a classy, witty whodunnit that will leave viewers twitching until the finale.

The very first THIN MAN movie was so popular due to love bickering relationship between Nick and Nora. It was no doubt a treat to see a married couple pick at each other and all the while the love they shared for each other was evident to all. The murder mystery almost takes second place to the bickering between Nick and Nora. Not so in AFTER THE THIN MAN.

AFTER THE THIN MAN devotes the bulk of the story to the murder mystery. Nick, who is still supposedly retired from detective work, gets lured into another case. A relative of Nora's needs Nick to prove her innocent. The case seems iron clad and Lieutenant Abrams, portrayed by Sam Levene is sure who the killer is. Only Nick seems to be able to sift through all the circumstantial evidence and get to the real evidence. Nora dogs his every step as she attempts to convince her family Nick is a good man even if he wears a "blue" collar.

James Stewart, prior to becoming famous, does well as the rejected love interest of the accused murderer. He will do anything to help her...or will he? Penny Singleton, prior to her role as Blondie Bumstead in the BLONDIE movies and her providing her voice as Jan Jetson on the JETSONS, has an interesting role as 1930's sexy street sassy blonde. As she would tell you, she's not illiterate because her parents were married at city hall.

So, while the original THIN MAN was fresh and new AFTER THE THIN MAN has all the dents and dings banged out of the script. It is a much better and much more interesting film. It is my favorite of the six THIN MAN films.

The DVD edition of this film is long overdue.

The second in the series of Thin Man films and the second best one, just a notch below the first. The story begins just days after the first movie. Nick and Nora have returned to their very luxurious home in California from New York.

They arrive home to find a house full of (uninvited) guests who are there to welcome the couple back home. They attend a Dinner party at Nora's very uptight socialite Aunt. Hilarious watching Nick interact with these old, wealthy step-relatives.

Soon, though, Nora's cousin Selma is accused of murdering her estranged husband and Nick and Nora have to step in to investigate.

This time the Charles celebrate New Years Eve with plenty of drinks at the night club of a small-time hood named Dancer. Nick is joined by a table full of his less than savory past friends who tell Nora "I don't like Dames who get mouthy afte a couple of snorts!"

Sam Levine is very funny making his first of two appearances as Lt. Abrahms. A young Jimmy Stewart is also along as the unrequited love of Selma.

As with the first, the drinks flow freely, particularly in the night club scenes where Nick finds himself the object of affection of a drunken young lady, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend.

Fantastic banter between the two stars as usual. Their chemistry was second to none. Asta is along too.

This was also, I think one of the better mysteries of all the Thin Man movies. Where is the DVD????

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 15 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Meaningful After All These Years
Great periscope view of the thirties. Everybody wears a mustach (except the women). Humor still valid. And cocktail- drinking? sheesh! Humor still valid. Good acting. Read more

Published on Jan 1 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Powell & Loy Comedy
William Powell and Mryna Loy belong high up on Hollywood's great comedy teams. Infact that should be AFI's next list. The 100 greatest Hollywood teams. Read more

Published on Jun 25 2003 by Alex Udvary

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated fun with legendary couple Nick and Nora
Of the six "Thin Man", films produced by MGM my favourite by far is the second installment in the classic series "After the Thin Man". Read more

Published on Jun 18 2003 by Simon Davis

4.0 out of 5 stars Watch For A Young James Stewart
In AFTER THE THIN MAN Nick tries to get one of Nora's female relatives out of jail after she is put there for the murder of her husband. Read more

Published on April 26 2003 by Peter Kenney

5.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood's first great sequel!
"After the Thin Man" is the second of five sequels in "The Thin Man" series. It was released in 1936, two years after the original movie, and literally takes up where the first... Read more

Published on Aug 4 2002 by Matthew Horner

5.0 out of 5 stars "I'm not illiterate! My parents were married!"
If you are ready for great fun, this detective film also qualifies as a classic comedy. After a hilarious return to San Francisco, Nick and Nora encounter a murder on New Year's... Read more

Published on Jan 30 2002 by Robert S. Clay Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Sequel
Although it lacks the sharp edge of the original, AFTER THE THIN MAN is a worth sequel to THE THIN MAN, with the famous William Powell and Myrna Loy chemistry as intoxicating as... Read more

Published on Dec 29 2001 by Gary F. Taylor

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Thin Man
The first "Thin Man" was great, but "After the Thin Man" is better. William Powell and Myrna Loy, as Nick and Nora Charles, are the archetypical sophisticated... Read more

Published on May 1 2001 by Jack Rice

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mystery, The Wit, and The Liqour Flows
This was the second in the series featuring the great film team of William Powell and Myrna Loy, again starring as Nick and Nora Charles, the couple who seem to have a way with... Read more

Published on Oct 23 2000 by James L.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another delightful Thin Man entry
Nick and Nora are, once again, the delightful crime solving team. The chemistry between Powell and Loy is still as strong as it was in the original. Read more

Published on Aug 11 1999

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 15 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!