Customer Reviews

Another Thin Man [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

The Thin Man series spanned years and each production was charming and witty fun for the moviegoing public. Dashiell Hammet's Nick and Nora were perfectly portrayed by William Powell and Myrna Loy, and this third entry, like the others, is a breezy and fun comedy mystery done with style, class and top drawer production values from MGM at it's zenith.

In this one, little Nicky Jr. is a year old and proud parents Nick and Nora are having a ball. Nick is trying to get out of going to Long Island because Colonel McFay (C. Aubrey Smith) only wants him to go over financial reports and other mundane matters that might interfere with Nick's drinking. But there is also a threat on the Colonel's life and Nora wants a quiet weekend in the country, so off they go. It turns out anything but quiet, of course, and Nick has to solve another murder.

A sharp and clever script with snappy dialog keep this one moving along nicely. Pretty Virginia Grey is the Colonel's daughter Lois and Ruth Hussey plays little Nicky's nurse, Dorothy. Lois wants to marry Dudley Horn (Patrick Knowles), much to the chagrin of the Colonel and his secratery, Freddie (Tom Neal), who is in love with the lovely Lois as well. It seems some of the Colonel's business dealings have been just a little on the shady side since the death of Nora's father, his business partner. Phil Church (Sheldon Leonard) may have been on the wrong end of one of these shady deals and with all this going on you can guess what happens next.

The interplay between Nick and Nora about their quiet little weekend is a lot of fun. A body in the road and a pool house fire get things moving quickly in this light and breezy entry in the series. Nat Pendelton is along as Lt. Guild this time and Marjorie Main has a nice turn as a very funny landlady. Muriel Hutchison also has a nice role as Church's girlfriend, Smitty, in a mystery a little more complicated than you might think.

This time the gathering of suspects, including Don Costello as Diamond Back Vogel, takes place at a birthday party for Nicky Jr. thrown by Nick's old pals. Shemp Howard has a funny role as Whacky, as does Harry Bellaver as Creeps. Otto Kruger is on hand as A.D.A. Van Slack when Nick surprises everyone with the killer's identity.

One of the highlights in a film with many fine moments is a scene at The West Indies Club. Nora learns a little more about Nick's past there than he would like! This is a fun film to watch, and there is a magic here which can never be duplicated. This is five star entertainment you don't want to miss.

Although MGM continued to soften the characters of Nick and Norah Charles from the sharp-edged original (in this particular film the couple has a baby and Nora is described as no longer drinking), Powell and Loy retain their sparkle as a team and the script offers plenty of opportunity for them to shine.

This particular film concerns Norah's financial manager, well played by C. Aubrey Smith at his most crusty, who is being threatened by a former business associate--and no sooner is Nick on the case than murder results. As in the previous "Thin Man" films, ANOTHER THIN MAN sports a remarkable cast: in addition to C. Aubrey Smith, there are extremely enjoyable performances from Marjorie Main, Ruth Hussey, Muriel Hutchison, Sheldon Leonard, and Abner Biberman. Every one is sure to enjoy the fun, particularly when Nora takes a hand by investigating a nightclub and both Nick and Nora meet Marjorie Main's "Mrs. Dolley." Recommended.

When a movie begins with C. Aubrey Smith, that craggy paragon of old-fashioned values, beaten, shot and stabbed to death and then finishes with Shemp Howard, one of the Stooges, dandling a baby, you might believe you're in some odd alternate universe. In a way, you are, but the universe is the world of Nick and Nora Charles and the movie is Another Thin Man. It's the third film William Powell and Myrna Loy made about the debonaire amateur sleuth and his wealthy wife. If it doesn't quite reach the heights of witty sophistication of the first two, it'll do.

Nick and Nora, together with their new baby and Asta, are at the Long Island estate of the aging and imperious Burr MacFay (Smith), the partner of Nora's father before her father died. He's a financial wizard who still manages much of Nora's wealth...and he believes he's a man under a death threat. Within hours of their arrival, late at night, a fire starts in the ornate bath house, a fuse apparently blows taking out all the lights, the huge dog of the house is found killed...and MacFay is discovered shot, beaten and stabbed. Yet everyone seems to have an alibi. And what a bunch there is: MacFay's adopted daughter, Lois MacFay; Dudley Horn, the man she plans to marry who seems to love her money as much as he says he loves her; Freddie Coleman, MacFay's young, baby-faced secretary who is smitten with Lois; Mrs. Bellam, the curiously uncurious housekeeper; and Dorothy Waters, the nanny Nora engaged to help look after Nickie, Jr., who suddenly disappears. Those are the ones in the mansion. Lurking outside is a former employee of MacFay, Phil Church, who went to prison and now has schemes to cash in, as well as his girl friend, his loyal goon and a slow-speaking piece of muscle who wears thick glasses. Nick and Nora head back to New York as soon as they can, but the mystery and the threats follow. It takes a visit to the apartment of a woman no one seems to have met and some clever thinking before Nick brings everyone together in the Charles' hotel apartment where the ruthless murderer is exposed. Even that is complicated by Nickie, Jr.'s boithday party thrown by some of Nick's disreputable acquaintances and their kids.

In the meantime, we get to enjoy the imperturbable, affectionate and wittily ironic relationship between Nick and Nora, and delight in the expert playing of William Powell and Myrna Loy. Nick and Nora, especially Nick, enjoys his martinis and scotch, but this time around it's a little less obvious and a little more fun. "A Bacardi," says Nick to the waiter in a latin nightclub. He glances over at Nora and adds, "Two Bacardis." Says Nora with a straight face to the waiter, "I'll have the same." The waiter brings four Bacardis. The movie's extended nightclub scene shows just how witty, light and affectionate Powell and Loy could be when they had enough time to work their characters together. They made 14 movies together over 20 years, including the six in the Thin Man series. Individually or together, Powell and Loy were class acts.

And yes, Shemp Howard really is there. So's a chest-thumping Marjorie Main.

As with the previous Thin Man movies, sophisticated humor prevails in this murder mystery. The chemistry of William Powell and Myrna Loy is the stuff of screen legends. Nick and Nora's repartee and rapier wit keeps the film fresh and entertaining, albeit 60+ years later. That's the good news. The other news is the baby, Nick, Jr. A baby diminished the adult tone of the series. Inevitably, wholesome family values clutters up the script with a superfluous baby party and other cute little high jinks. From a purist's perspective, this film is a step down. Babies notwithstanding, the nightclub segment that shows Nora's attempt at sleuthing is a high point of the plot. Contrast her fumbling search for Dum-Dum with Nick's smooth manner of gleaning information. When the cops interrogate Nora about Colonel MacFay's murder, note her reaction as they divulge information about Nick's old girl friends. A strong supporting cast is present, as usual. Marjorie Main has a small but hilarious part as a busybody landlady. Sheldon Leonard is menacing as tough-guy Phil Church, the apparent villain. C. Aubrey Smith is nervously bombastic as Colonel MacFay. Doodles Weaver shows up in a bit part, and zings Nick by calling him a "pool parlor dude." Note Nick's reaction to this crack. Shemp Howard arrives at the baby party with a kid. When queried about his marital status, Shemp replies, "Nobody said you had to be married! They just said you had to have a kid!" Put it all together, it adds up to fun for fans of classic comedy. ;-)

"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

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"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".

In this third of the wonderful Thin Man series, Nick and Nora are joined by their baby, Nick Jr. It is totally jarring to see the sophisticated duo, Nick's cocktails et al., trying to go goo-goo at the same time. (Nick has taken to calling Nora Mommy!) But...So what. Baby or not, this movie is just a gem, and it sports one of the all-time lines, tossed off as only Myrna Loy could: When asked how their cross-country trip has been, she replies, "Nick was sober in Kansas City!"

The plot is always secondary to the incomparable byplay between Powell and Loy, but the mystery is entertaining nevertheless. Just back from their trip, Nick and Nora are urgently summoned by Colonel MacFay, who fears for his life. Gathering up Asta and baby, the couple repairs to the colonel's country estate, where the mysterious goings-on are nonstop. The plot, as they say, thickens, and indeed, a murder does occur. A very young Sheldon Leonard plays Phil Church, a small-time hood who seems to be the villain of the piece.

The baby's birthday party, while completely at odds with the normal tone of the Thin Man movies, still has its moments, as other reviewers have mentioned. The one-liners are delivered without a bat of the eye, which ultimately saves the movie from too much in the way of family values.

This is not my favorite Thin Man movie, but it remains a worthy addition to anybody's collection of vintage, "they-just-don't-make-them-like-that-anymore" films.

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.

Another Thin Man is the third film in The Thin Man series. It is the weakest of all the films, but is still funny and well worth watching.

Baby Nickie shows up, it isn't clear what the writers were thinking of when they decided this would be a good idea. Fortunately, the baby is left with the nanny for most of the film. Most of the film takes place at a mansion where Colonel MacFay, the wealthy owner of an explosives company, is afraid he will be murdered. His fears turn out to be valid, and Nick is on the case to find the murderer and clear his name.

As always, there is amazing chemistry between Nick (William Powell) and the stunningly gorgeous Nora (Myrna Loy). The jokes between these two are almost worth the price of admission. The mystery is a bit difficult to follow, or make complete sense out of it. Frankly, that has never mattered much to me. The reason to watch these films is not the cinematography or the story line that is all pretext, but the jokes and banter between Nick and Nora. Shemp Howard (Three Stooges) makes a cameo appearance as a gangster at Nickie's birthday party.

The film is in black and white from 1939. The transfer is decent. The copy is a little bit dirty, but nothing too bad. There are no DVD artifacts. The DVD includes bonus features: "Love On Tap," musical short; "The Bookworm," classic cartoon that is pretty good; and the theatrical trailer.

This is my least favorite movie of the six film series. I've watched these films first on Laserdisc from that box set and now the six film DVD box set. They are wonderful films that have stood the test of time and many watching's.

I receaved this video in clean nicely wrapped package. The video it's self had no problems what so ever.
This is on of the Great classics of the Thin Man series were Nick & Nora Charles wind up in another murder case.
I really like this one especially how the murder was done and the plot and how ever one plays in the case. There is a lot of thinking put into this film not like they do today. Yet Nick & Nora come out of this one clean.
I recommend this video for anyone and everyone to get and watch when you are home and having nothing better to do specially on a cold winter's night!