Customer Reviews

Song of the Thin Man [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some people complain that this is a weak finale to the MGM Thin Man series. It's true that some of the edginess and zest of the early entries in the series is missing, but even second string Nick and Nora is fun to watch. Nick and Nora have settled into a more conservative, mid-life parenting mode. Their son, Nick, Jr., is a chip off the old block. Asta is still around, but plays second fiddle to Nick, Jr. A society party on a gambling ship leads to murder. A bonus of this film is an emphasis on jazz music (circa. 1947). The hep cats, rootie-toots, and hot jive are a hilarious contrast to Nick and Nora's sophisticated demeanor. The Charles's bewildered reaction to the "Greetings, gate! Let's coagulate!" slang is priceless. Sharp humor within the context of a happy marriage is a familiar trademark of the Thin Man series. Nick and Nora have fun with their relationship. Nick remains the sharp detective, albeit retired. Nora is his intellectual and emotional equal. Nora's chutzpah keeps her in the middle of Nick's cases with comic effect. This movie will satisfy fans of the series, and anyone who enjoys mystery flavored with humor. Don't spoil your enjoyment of this movie by searching for nuances. Just dig that crazy jive, and enjoy this blast from the past. ;-)

I can't say enough about the Thin Man series, and how much I loved this last movie. I even stole some of the moves from the big dance scene and use them when I go out dancing! Don't even think about letting this one get away from your Loy/Powell collection. Also, even though not mentioned in the credits, this movie had a major role that was played by a young Keenon Wynn.

While the previous THE THIN MAN GOES HOME was hampered by a very weak script, THE SONG OF THE THIN MAN actually has a decent script but lacks the energy and sparkle of the first four films in the series. Even William Powell and Myrna Loy seem a bit tired of the whole thing, and this film finds their legendary chemistry reduced to the occasional twinkle.

The script is entertaining enough, concerning the murder of a band leader with ties to casino gamblers, and the supporting cast has a number of fine performances by the likes of Gloria Grahame, Jayne Meadows, and Keenan Wynn. Most viewers will find it all reasonably entertaining, but the bloom is gone; newcomers to the 'Thin Man' series would do better to select one of the first four films in the series.

Starting with "The Thin Man," William Powell and Myrna Loy were Nick and Nora Charles, Dashiell Hammett's greatest creation. This series stood apart from others in that it was a class "A" production all the way, MGM giving these wildly popular films their best contract players and their finest behind the scenes people to create something unparalleled in American film history.

The original "The Thin Man" was a masterpiece of light and witty comedy mystery that has never been equaled. For that reason it is unfair to compare the five films that followed with the first one, and once that is set aside, each of the five was charming, witty and classy, the perfect way to solve a mystery and be entertained at the same time. This was the last entry and was just teriffic, as "The Thin Man" went out in style.

Manhattan meets the hip jazz scene in this one as Nick and Nora are involved in solving another delicious murder, with nice touches from Nicky Jr. and, of course, their dog Asta. It begins when Nick and Nora have a night out on the gambling ship "S. S. Fortune."

The film opens with a young and stunningly beautiful Gloria Grahame singing "Your Not That Easy to Forget" and only gets better. As Nick and Nora rub shoulders with the elite and a few of Nicky's old pals a chain of events leads to murder, discovered the next morning when the chief suspect stops by with his fiance to ask for Nick's help. Nick turns him over to the cops for his own safety when he is shot at but the deal is sealed when the bullet hits a bottle Nick had been saving for a special occasion, and as he puts it, "An old friend of mine went completely to pieces."

There are no shortage of suspects as Nick and Nora start nosing around, aided by a young Keenan Wynn as one of the hip band members. It's very funny as Nora begins to pick up the lingo of Wynn and his jazz friends, who seem to have a language of their own. The victim seemingly had no end of enemies. He was deep in debt to a dangerous gambler, had been cheating on his girlfriend, was running out on a contract to play at the "S. S. Fortune" for greener pastures, had publicly humiliated Grahame's former boyfriend Buddy Hollis (Don Taylor), and more.

Before it's over, Nick and Nora will walk in on another murder, and Nick will stage a suprise back on the waters, gathering all the suspects back on the swanky "S. S. Fortune" to trick a killer. Patricia Morison, Jayne Meadows, Dean Stockwell, Ralph Morgan, William Bishop and Marie Windsor all offer fine support to make this closing chapter one of their best. Some nice family moments (Nick and Nora style) with Asta and Nicky Jr. are put in the mix as well, Nicky Jr. seemingly a chip of the old block.

The same carefree and fun loving ambiance that was a staple of every entry is here and a good atmospheric mystery to boot. There is nothing shabby about "Song of the Thin Man." It is a bar that many have attempted to reach when making a light comedy mystery but these films have endured because of their wit, fun and charm. Nothing has ever come close to them and you won't want to miss this one!

In SONG OF THE THIN MAN Nick and Nora board a gambling ship where a band leader is murdered. Nick is drinking again after being forced to abstain from alcohol during his last case in THE THIN MAN GOES HOME. Nick and Nora are accompanied by Nick, Jr. who is played by a young Dean Stockwell. Keenan Wynn has an important role as a member of the band. Edward Buzzer is the director.

The film marked the sixth and final entry in the THIN MAN Series. William Powell and Myrna Loy held the starring roles of Nick and Nora Charles in all of the movies. The sixth film was definitely one of the weakest in many respects except for the atmosphere which was quite upbeat.

Some of the other Thin Man movies are better but this title is still worth owning and still better then the garbage hollywood puts out now a days. Filled with twist and turns this is a classic who dunnit until the shocking end. As ususal, the thin man has some funny moments as well. in one sceene william powell doesnt want to spank his son, every time he attempts to he remembers fond family memories until one time he finally remembers his son laughing at him when he was riding a bike and fell, then he starts spanking but after running to mommy she finds the son stuffed protection into his pants and didnt feel a thing. Another cute sceene has the family dog sneaking into bed with the kid in a unique under the covers way. When a stray bullet hits and breaks a bottle of powells booze, a neighbor asking if everyone is OK is told by powel that an old friend of his went to peices (referring to the booze)I could picture bogart having that line in one of his films. The thin man is good fun and mystery for the whole family with the usual sarcastic but polite digs thrown back and forth between powell and his co-star in a bogart bacall kind of way.

DVD will automatically play if option has not been chosen in nearly 2 minutes.
William Powell, Myrna Loy and Asta (Skippy) too return for this sixth and last caper. Powell and Loy appeared in 13 films together, only six "Thin Man" films.
Aboard the S.S. Fortune, which is a gambling ship that Nick Charles (William Powell) and his wife, Nora (Myrna Loy) are on, Tommy Drake (Philip Reed) is shot. The newspaper headlines blames Janet Thayer (Jayne Meadows) and her secret Lover, Phil Brant (Bruce Cowling), who were also aboard the vessel, the suspects in the killing. So absurd, that Janet and Phil ask the Charles' to investigate and get them off the rap. Suddenly another shot rings out and hits Nick's wine bottle he was holding. Nobody hurt, but Asta has licked up all that spilled wine.
Nick is going to investigate without the help of the police and Nick Jr. (Dean Stockwell) wants to help solve the mystery too.
Also in the cast: Keenan Wynn, Gloria Grahame, Leon Ames, Bess Flowers, Henry Nemo, Clinton Sundberg, William Bishop, marie Windsor.
DVD includes in Special Features, Theatrical trailer, 10-minute feature "John Nesbitt's Passing Parade, 'A Really Important Person' with Dean Stockwell and Connie Gilchrist.
MGM Technicolor "Slap Happy Lion" by Tex Avery.
No audio commentary.
The Thin Man tv series (1957-59) starred Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk.

This is not the best of the Thin Man series but it is entertaining; particularly for the mainstream stereotyping of the Jazz world. An interesting bit part is played by Henry Nemo ("The Neem") a Jazz musician, composer, and hustler who--according to the writer who created 60's T.V. icon Charlie the Tuna--was the inspiration for the Starkist spokesfish. The original Charlie (whose motto was "the shortest distance between two points is a angle") was a cool New York hustler who was always looking to get taken by Starkist as a shortcut to gaining status; but never quite got the concept.

William Powell and Myrna Loy have an unbeatable chemistry which comes alive as they portray Nick and Nora Charles once more. The suspense will have you guessing until the end and the constant bantering will keep you in stitches. A must see for people in search of quality entertainment!

My Mom pointed me toward the Thin Man (among many other wonderful classic films) and I became an instant fan. I am desperately awaiting the studios to release the whole series on DVD and bring some light to this wonderful cast and stories.