The Thin Man Binge watch
For the past two weeks I wrote about two legends of cinema. Separately William Powell and Myrna Loy made classic movies that are still enjoyed today. When they got together, the movies became something better.
Their chemistry was so good, people thought they were a real couple. When I wrote Dear Pen Pal, I wanted Joe and Cate to have their chemistry together.
Many years ago, I binge watched the Thin Man series of movies. I had heard of these movies, but didn't know much about them. Turner Movie Classics is the one cable channel that has stayed true to it's original concept. Other channels started as movie channels, then produced their own shows, mostly reality junk. TCM for the most part, still shows classic movies from long ago.
I saw the Thin Man movies all on TCM. I was hooked from the first scene, attached below. After that, I went out to find the other Loy-Powell movies. They are available still if you want to look for them. For now, I'm going to give a preview of the Thin Man movies.
I hope I make you want to pour a drink, have a seat and find these movies and enjoy them as I did.
The Thin Man
This Academy Award nominated classic from 1934 was taken from the book of the same name by writer Dashiell Hammett. (Most of us call him Dash-ul but he preferred his name pronounced as Dash-eel.) The movie was directed by W.S. VanDyke, a noted director. You may not know him today because he died at a young age.
Most people who never saw the movie think Nick Charles is the Thin Man of the title, but if you see the movie, the Thin Man is the victim of the murder.
The movie takes place at Christmas time, right after Nick Charles has decided to retire from private investigative work. The people around him can’t solve this mystery and they ask for his help.
He can't help but be fascinated by the mystery, but also Nora Charles had never seen him work as a private eye and she wants to know what that is like. As much as he doesn't want to involve her, she finds a way to get involved.
I honestly think the movie is better than the book. The movie clarified some of the plot twists and made the surprises seem more realistic. The mystery of the crime is interesting but the actors and the characters make the movie work. I don't know if this movie would be lost to time if it wasn't for William Powell and Myrna Loy. I can say that their chemistry transcends time.
Let's meet Nora for the first time:
You have to love an introduction to the characters like that. He's teaching the bartenders the proper martini. She looks clumsy but then ends up matching him drinking.
The mystery happens right around Christmas. Here' s how they spent Christmas morning:
pulling pranks on each other
The movie is available at Amazon.com