A Shadow of "Shadow of the Thin Man"

We're back. A new movie with the same stars again. W.S. Van Dyke is back as director. William Powell still has the small mustache. Myrna Loy is radiant as Nora Charles. Asta the dog is comic relief. The series is still going strong so let's have another mystery. 

This movie will come out in 1941 just before World War II. The movie also stars Barry Nelson and Donna Reed. Donna Reed would later go to star in "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. Interesting because of of Jimmy Stewart's first roles was in a Thin Man movie. 

(Remember which one? I blogged about it)

The Charles' investigate the murder of a jockey at a horserace track accused of throwing a race and killed before he can come clean. There is also a big professional wresting scene. It was funny how people were so quick to call wrestling stupid and fake, but it was so addictive. 

It’s also a laugh that wherever Nick goes, he knows someone. Some old convict will talk to him, a policeman will crack jokes and Nora gets pushed to the side. 

The usual elements of the series are still here. There is plenty of humor. Nora will tease Nick about old girlfriends to the point of trying to embarrass him. It doesn’t work. At the end, all the suspects will end up in the same room until the killer is revealed. 

This will be the last Thin Man movie until after the war. Myrna Loy will work with the Red Cross in the war effort. The direct Van Dyke will die in 1943. 

The 1930s glamour isn’t a big part of the movies anymore as America started to change for the new decade. 

Still a recommend

next week: another Thin Man movie