The Complete Thin Man Collection [DVD]

Rarely has so little spawned so many good sequels. In this case, "little" is Dashiell Hammett's classic detective novel "The Thin Man," a gritty detective story about a pair of married society sleuths, the legendary Nick and Nora Charles. It's prettier, brighter and wittier than Hammett's novel, but even the least of these mysteries is fun.

"The Thin Man" was the sparkling film that started it all. While shaking a martini to the waltz, Nick Charles investigates the disappearance of an old client, and the murder of his secretary-lover, who was stealing from him. It seems like an easy case, but Nick isn't convinced. Ex-wives, anguished daughters, long-suffering cops and creepy stool pigeons all show up for a dinnertime revelation...

"After the Thin Man" returns Nick and Nora to San Francisco. They find that Nora's cousin Selma (Elissa Landi) has been abandoned by her husband (Jimmy Stewart) for a sexy nightclub entertainer, and that he's also blackmailing her ex-boyfriend. Soon he turns up dead, and it's up to Nick and Nora to clear Selma's name....

"Another Thin Man" is an adaptation of another Hammett short story, and introduces us to Baby Charles. The new parents arrive in Long Island to visit an old friend of the family, who claims that a former business partner is trying to kill him. Of course, he dies. Disappearing bodies, international suspects, and lots of martinis are par for the course...

"Shadow of the Thin Man" takes the Charles family to the racetrack, where a jockey is unexpectedly killed. Nick doesn't want to be torn away from his vices, but he reluctantly gets involved when the bodies start to pile up. Gambling syndicates, lethal sports and milk-drinking are all tied up in this.

Family expectations strike in "The Thin Man Goes Home" -- the Charleses goes to visit Nick's family, and especially his father. His father wanted Nick to be a doctor, and was snotty about it when Nick became a detective. So to redeem her husband's career choice, Nora spreads the rumour that Nick is there to solve a case -- and lo and behold, somebody gets killed.

"Song of the Thin Man" is the final entry, and strains at times to be cool and fresh. But it's still fairly amusing in the most part. A nasty jazz bandleader is murdered, and there's no shortage of suspects -- jilted girlfriend, gamblers, bruised egos and more. So the Charleses delve into the world of jazz musicians, determined to find the killer.

It's more or less a given that none of the sequels would be as good as the witty, taut "Thin Man." But then again, a bad "Thin Man" movie is still better than most movies, today or of yesteryear. They had witty, literate dialogue, lots of booze, and a hilarious mixture of the romantic comedy and the hard-boiled detective story.

And of course, Myrna Loy and William Powell. These two actors had glorious, playful chemistry together, and charmingly talk to thugs, cops, freaks, and high society doyennes in the same breath. The charm was somewhat diminished by Nick Jr., like when Nora orders Nick to spank the kid. But on the flipside, there's acrobatic terrier Asta, who never fails to charm.

Watching the "Thin Man" series is like taking a trip back in time, to the high society of the 1930s, and staying with the wittiest pair of sophisticates imaginable. Outstanding.

Based on Dashiell Hammett's novel The Thin Man,these six films brought together one of the great pairings in Hollywood history with William Powell as Nick Charles,playboy shamus and husband to the divine Nora Charles played by the delightful Myrna Loy.
Together the pair charmed their way around each other,countless parties and martini cocktails while still finding time to solve the odd crime or two - well Nick did the detecting while Nora kept him from being too "distracted".

The Thin Man(1934)The first and the best.Sparkling repartee amidst the cocktails with ex-p.i Nick Charles trying to solve the disappearance of a high strung scientist while fending off an ex paramour(and her daughter) and acquainting his wife Nora with the finer points of detective work while working under the influence.
Woody Van Dyke directs the whole thing with his customary speed(12 days to shoot!!)and finesse and the result is sheer poetry.

After the Thin Man(1936)Delightful sequel has Nick and Nora involved in family secrets and murder, this time with the help of faithful Asta.Cue more cocktails and a surprising villain in this well turned,if slightly too long, follow up.

Another Thin Man(1939)The married sleuthes plus "little Nicky"return for a third time investigating the murder of a wealthy industrialist that the Charles' just happen to be visiting.With Nick himself under suspicion this time,it is up to Nora to do a little detective work in this delightful series entry.

Shadow of the Thin Man(1941)A jockey is murdered at the track which is a prelude to more artful detecting from the Charles'.Highlights include Nora at the wrestling and the dinner ordering scene.As with other entries stellar support includes Donna Reed and Sam Levene.Good fun.

Thin Man Goes Home(1944)Fifth entry directed by Richard Thorpe and lit by Karl Freund(no less)sees Nick going home to Sycamore Springs and finding that impressing dad seems pretty difficult when all the townsfolk seem to covering up a murder.Script steals from Conan Doyle amongst others and Nora's incitement of a pool room brawl is a highlight.Strained at times but still fun.

Song of the Thin Man(1946)Final entry sees Nick and Nora trying to solve the murder of a band leader aboard a floating nightclub- the S.S Fortune.
Red herrings aplenty and some funny hep dialogue especially from a young Keenan Wynn highlight this ok finale to a classic series.

As with all series' the law of diminishing returns will apply but even the weakest(Song...)is still high grade entertainment.Powell and Loy were perfectly matched and while today some may bristle at the thought of two "drunks" happily going about their detecting with scantish regard for each other's welfare let alone little Nicky's,you will be won over by the wit and sheer charm of these films.

Another quality job from Warners with each film being accompanied by a animated short and a live action one with particular reference to The Tell-Tale Heart(on the Shadow...Man )adapted from a Poe story which is wonderfully creepy and directed by Jules Dassin!!!

Finally a disc with two documentaries on Powell and Loy is well worth watching.

I bought this box set only having seen the first 'Thin Man' and being in love with it. I wasn't sure to expect but I was glad I bought it, one of the best DVD collections of all time. Keep your Star Wars and your Indiana Jones, this is the only box set worth having!

Nick and Nora are one of my favourite pairings, and the portray the happiest screen couple ever, and with Asta the dog (and Nick Jr later on), they are the perfect family.

My favourite always has been and always will be the original 'Thin Man' because it is where the humour is freshest and funniest. I also adore 'After the Thin Man'. Some say it's an improvement on the first, but I stand firm! The series, like most, gets weaker as it goes on, but they are still better than many average films.

A very nostalgic and must see series.