  hadow of the Thin Man US
(1941)
 Producer: Hunt Stromberg  Director:
W.S. Van Dyke IIScreenplay: Irving Brecher and Harry Kurnitz based upon characters created by Dashiell Hammett Music: David Snell Cast includes: Nick Charles: William Powell Nora Charles: Myrna Loy Lt. Abrams: Sam Levene "Whitey" Barrow: Alan Baxter Paul Clarke: Barry Nelson Molly Ford: Donna Reed Major Jason I. Sculley: Henry O'Neill Nick Jr.: Dickie Hall 97 min, Black & White |
| "One thing about a murder case" says Nick Charles to a room crammed with suspects, "If you let people talk long enough, sooner or later someone will spill the beans. Well someone just has!" And he points to...the last person you'd ever suspect, unless you've been paying close attention. And you will be, because you won't want to miss a word of the delicious, witty, outrageous bickering between William Powell and Myrna Loy. In this breezy outing, Nick and Nora get involved with jockeys and gamblers and characters with names like Rainbow Benny. There's a body in the shower, another hanging from the chandelier, and a diamond bracelet in the radiator. Asta, the terrier causes a full scale brawl in a restaurant. But the biggest surprise comes when Nick Jr. forces his martini-soaked father to drink a glass of milk, as maid Louise Beavers watches bug-eyed! |
| Motion Picture
Daily - by Charles S. Aaronson, October 22. 1941 "THE popular series of "Thin Man" films, featuring William Powell as Nick Charles, the nonchalant private detective, and Myrna Loy, as his charming and slightly erratic wife, has herein another highly entertaining chapter, which should do very well at almost any box-office. Full of amusing lines and numerous entertaining situations, the picture moves smoothly and swiftly, with a full share of suspense and occasional bits of excitement to keep audience attention held to the screen. W. S. Van Dyke II directed with skill, keeping the loose ends of his mystery well in hand until the final sequence. In support of the two stars are Barry Nelson, as a young crusading newspaper reporter out to smash the crooked racetrack gambling ring ; Donna Reed, as Nelson's sweetheart ; Sam Levene, as the police detective who gets the credit for Powell's success; Alan Baxter, as another re- porter involved with the ring ; Lou Lubin, in an excellent character bit as a member of the gang ; Dickie Hall, as Powell's small son, and, of course, Asta, the family dog. Powell is persuaded to undertake to help smash the gambling ring when Nelson, a friend, is arrested for one of the two murders the police are working on. The trail leads into various entertaining bypaths until, logically and cleverly, Powell uncovers the killer." |
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| Above: full set of eight lobby cards |
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Not an EQ film in any sense, however it makes our list because Dannay and Lee worked on the script. They didn't do enough to warrant screen credit, but we think we've spotted their contribution to the story: the scene where Nick finds a gun in a drain: pure EQ logic!
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Above left: "Thank goodness neither
of us was driving," Nick quips as he's pulled over. Above en below right: Asta oversees Nick Jr. and the proud parents. |
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Herald "Reviews" by Irene Smolen, October 25. 1941 "That 'Thin Man' is here again, Goody! There is nothing shadowy about 'The Shadow of The Thin Man' — it has definite entertainment appeal, judging from the reaction of the preview audience. From a story by Harry Kurnitz and based upon characters created by Dashiell Hammett, it is a scion worthy of the traditions established by its forbears. Again it is a murder mystery to the accompaniment of comedy, or vice versa, and who is there that can resist either? William Powell and Myrna Loy, as "Mr. and Mrs. Charles" continue to enjoy their domestic life, and so does the audience, particularly their repartee with its split-second quality. Mr. Powell takes his son for a walk in the park and reads fairy tales to him from a book, or, more exactly, from the racing form. They return to the house where Mr. Powell indulges in cocktails and banter with his wife, and milk, on which he chokes, with his son. Mr. Powell takes his wife to the races and gets a ticket for speeding — just like Mr. and Mrs. Average American. They also go to the wrestling matches. "Mr. and Mrs. Charles," however, have an uncanny faculty for always being at the scene of the crime. When they go to the races, a jockey is murdered. When they go to the wrestling matches, a newspaper man is killed. Mr. Powell is forced to don his role as detective and begins to investigate clues. Eventually, he assembles at the "Lieutenant's" head-quarters all the persons involved or suspected — mostly from the racing and gambling under- world— and identifies the master mind behind it all, the person, of course, you least suspect. William Powell and Myrna Loy retain their titles as the favorite Mr. and Mrs. of the silver screen. Sam Levene as "Lieutenant Abrams" is very amusing, and Stella Adler, of the famous acting Adlers, deserves special mention in her portrayal of a moll. The rest of the cast includes Barry Nelson, Donna Reed, Alan Baxter, Henry O'Neill, little Dickie Hall, Louise Beavers, and last, but certainly not least, Asta. Hunt Stromberg, producer and Major W. S. Van Dyke II, director, are responsible for a picture that is both satisfying and entertaining. The comedy kept the preview audience laughing often and heartily and the unraveling of the plot kept them interested. It is another "Thin Man," as good as its predecessors." |
| Trailer (Source YouTube) |
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