Twice as thin

The Thin Man
     William Powell and Myrna Loy play Nick and Nora Charles in this adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's classic who done it. Though watered down slightly, the story retains the wit and humor of the novel. Also, while it probably wasn't the first to do so, the movie makes good use of the "killer is sitting among us" dinner party that wasn't in the book.
     Although directed by the legendary W.S. Van Dyke, this movie wasn't expected to do that well. Much to the surprise of all concerned, the audiences loved it. So much so that after a flood of letters, they made five more films. There was also a television series in the late 1950's but Powell and Loy were not in it.
     Traditionally, I'll bring this one out around Christmas time and have a dry martini shaken to a waltz time but you can probably enjoy this one anytime.


After The Thin Man
     Picking up where the other one left off, Nick and Nora make it home just in time for New Years Eve. This time it seems that one of Nora's relations is missing and the family wants Nick to look into it. It's full of promise and there's even an up and coming Jimmy Stewart in the cast but it plays up the laughs too much and there's even a subplot with Asta and Mrs. Asta that just bogs it down and makes it cutesy. This was my first venture all the way through with the sequels. I don't think I'll continue.