Average Rating:
Rating: - Another enjoyable "Thin Man"
Nick and Nora are back, this time with a child, in this top-notch sequel. While the behavior of both Nick and Nora is slightly more reserved than in the first two entries, they still have delightful interaction with each other and with the new member of their family. Some really funny moments, such as Nora trying to identify her anonymous contact in the club - with Nick watching and Nick Jr.'s birthday party. The murder mystery pales in comparison to the first, but the performance of Powell and Loy is what really makes the series entertaining. A very worthy sequel!
Rating: - And Baby makes a Delightful Three!
"Another Thin Man", was the third installment in the legendary film series "The Thin Man", and showed the terrific William Powell and Myrna Loy combination at the peak of their creative gifts and unmatched screen chemistry. This film introduced Nick Jnr to the besotted fans of the Thin Man stories and while this has drawn some criticism from fans that it possibly softened the series down to a domestic comedy, I feel it is a logical character progression for the loving couple and never once got in the way of Nick and Nora going out sleuthing or finding the next dry Martini. All the usual delightful elements that one comes to expect from the series are here, Nick's drinking, Nora's wanting to get in on the excitement, Nick's low-life pals who come to their aid, and many hilarious plot turns that show the true brillance of William Powell and Myrna Loy in roles they were born to play.Like all the "Thin Man", stories this one has quite a complicated murder mystery at its base which was based on another short story of Dashiell Hammett's titled "The Farewell Murder". It fitted the Nick and Nora characters like a sleek glove and helped make this film one of the most enjoyable in the series. What starts out as a seemingly quiet weekend in the country for Nick, Nora and the baby soon turns into a baffling mystery when they are guests at the long Island estate of Col. MacFay an old business associate of Nora's father. Barely has Nick got time to unpack his drinking flasks before the Colonel asks the as usual reluctant Nick to take on the investigation into who is terrorising him in his home. He believes it is a disgruntled former employee Phil Church however when the Col is murdered the evidence seems more complicated and not only the suspects but further bodies start to pile up. The story is classic Powell and Loy material as the two get on the case, Nick reluctantly and Nora jumping in on the excitement. "Another Thin Man", contains many humourous situations especially those that take place in the East Indies Nightclub where Nora attempts to keep a rendevous with a mysterious caller and instead finds herself hilariously mixed up with an ardent gigolo intent on "making violent love to her"!! The scene in the club where Nick attempts to scare off all of Nora's suitors by threatening to put her back in "quarantine" is absolutely hilarious and I laugh out loud every time I see it. In typical Thin Man style the finale of the story is a whizbanger and takes place at of all things Nick Jnr's birthday party complete with a very funny cameo appearance by none other than Shemp Howard of The Three Stooges fan! In typical unflappable style Nick manages from out of the general madness and complicated plot turns to weed out the real killer who in this situation is a real surprise but which I wont reveal for the benefit of those that haven't yet had the pleasure of seeing the film yet . "Another Thin Man", boasts a sterling supporting cast and top notch MGM production values as befitted one of their "A"list productions for 1939. Heading the supporting cast is MGM regular C,Aubrey Smith as the Colonel in a typically crusty performance that really builds up the drama in the first half of the film. Beautiful Virginia Grey, a talented actress who sadly never achieved top stardom has the pivotal role of the Colonel's adapted daughter Lois MacFay who is not who she entirely appears to be. Ruth Hussey has the role of little Nick's nanny Dorothy Waters who appears to be quite a mystery case. She delivers an interesting performance, one of many in her illustrious supporting role career. One of my favourite character actresses Marjorie Main has a hilarious small part as the landlady of the Chesterfield Apartments who doesn't know Nick and Nora are married and tries to do a bit of not so subtle match making for the couple!! It is vintage Main and worth viewing on its own as a screen gem. Created by the dream team of Producer Hunt Stromberg and directed with the usual gusto by W.S. Van Dyke who directed the first, and best four "Thin Man" movies it is an impeccable production in every department combining as it does Cedric Gibbon's always superb art design through to Dolly Tree's sublime fashions for the ladies in the story. I feel the first three "Thin Man", films are definately the best in the series but all where blessed by the magical combination of William Powell and Myrna Loy. Rarely has their wonderful screen chemistry been so evident in it's polished form than in the hilarious "Another Thin Man". Apart from being an enjoyable murder story it also reveals Nick and Nora as loving parents which doesn't take the edge off their verbal sparring and sophisticated sleuthing in the least. Sit back and savour the unique charms and polished sleuthing abilities of Powell and Loy in their tailor made roles of Nick and Nora Charles in "Another Thin Man".
Rating: - Powell and Loy Effortlessly Entertain
William Powell and Myrna Loy return as Nick and Nora Charles, this time with a baby to help keep the dog company. The mystery is a rather complicated one, with the couple's quiet weekend in the country disrupted by the murder of her business manager at the hands of what appears to be a blackmailer. But things are never what they seem, and several murders later, Nick reveals all.Powell and Loy continue to be a perfect match, with such a breezy, comfortable chemistry. They effortlessly toss off lines laced with dry humour. The supporting cast is good, featuring a funny Marjorie Main as a landlady, a slick Sheldon Leonard as the man threatening the victim, and an underused Ruth Hussey as a mysterious nanny. There are a lot of other familiar faces as well. I found the story a bit confusing in the beginning and would have liked the "cute" scenes with the baby reduced. But the plot keeps the viewer guessing and I did enjoy Nick's wrapping up of the murders. Although not a great film, it's a very solid mystery that fans will enjoy.
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