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ANOTHER THIN MAN did seem to leave some of the overt comedy behind and focused on plot a little bit more. I didn't notice as big a change in the formulas as others have but it is clear that VanDyke was trying to approach the film from a different angle. As this was only the second sequel to the original THIN MAN the view, if he/she watches all six films in the order they were made, may not notice some of characteristic plot devices. More than anything else I think this is the last THIN MAN film that showed Nick and Nora's playful bickering and loving digs at each other and it still seemed believable to the viewers. By the fourth film it no longer seemed genuine or practical. Instead of falling into the dull married routine in later films Nick and Nora still playfully feel each other out and take pleasure in pushing each others buttons. To me this didn't seem that realistic for an old married couple but it was still fresh in ANOTHER THIN MAN.
This film should appeal to all THIN MAN fans as well as the more casual viewer. If this is the first film you've seen of the THIN MAN movies I suggest watching THE THIN MAN and AFTER THE THIN MAN before watching any of the other THIN MAN films.
Where is the DVD?
In this one, little Nicky Jr. is a year old and proud parents Nick and Nora are having a ball. Nick tries to get out of going to Long Island as Colonel McFay (C. Aubrey Smith) only wants Nick to go over financial reports and other mundane matters that might interfere with Nick's drinking. But there is also a threat on the Colonel's life and Nora wants a quiet weekend in the country. When it's Nick and Nora it's anything but quiet and there has to be some shady goings on, including murder.
A sharp and clever script with snappy dialog keep this one moving along nicely. Pretty Virginia Grey is the Colonel's daughter Lois and Ruth Hussey (The Uninvited) plays little Nicky's nurse Dorothy. Lois wants to marry Dudley Horn (Patrick Knowles), much to the chagrin of the Colonel and his secratery Freddie (Tom Neal), who is in love with the lovely Lois as well. Some of the Colonel's business dealings have been just a little on the shady side over the years since the death of his business partner, Nora's father, and Phil Church (Sheldon Leonard) has a score to settle with the Colonel, who of course, ends up dead.
The interplay between Nick and Nora is fun and a body in the road and a pool house fire get things moving quickly in this light, breezy entertainment. Nat Pendelton is along as Lt. Guild and Marjorie Main has a nice turn as a funny landlady. Church's girlfriend Smitty (Muriel Hutchison in a nice role) and Abner Biberman as Church's menacing and loyal right hand 'Dum Dum' add to a story a little more complicated than you might think, especially when Nick finally reveals the killer.
This time the gathering of suspects, including Don Costello as 'Diamond Back' Vogel, takes place at a bithday party for Nicky Jr. thrown by Nick's old 'pals'. Shemp Howard (The Three Stooges) has a funny role as Whacky, as does Harry Bellaver as 'Creeps'. Otto Kruger is on hand as A.D.A. Van Slack to watch Nick unmask the killer, which might just be a suprise.
Nora's learning about Nick's former life, including his many girlfriends, and a fun time at The West Indies Club are just a couple of highlights as Nick and Nora track down a killer during their 'quiet weekend in the country'. This is enjoyable and wonderful, a fun time at the movies all around. You just can't miss this one...
