The Thin Man (1934) · Tastebuds

A laugh tops every thrilling moment!

Former detective Nick Charles has retired from police work, preferring a life of cocktails, parties, and relaxation with his wealthy wife, Nora. Their holiday is interrupted when the daughter of Nick’s former client asks for help finding her missing father, eccentric inventor Clyde Wynant. When Wynant’s body is discovered, Nick is drawn back into the investigation, with Nora eagerly joining him. As the couple questions Wynant’s family, friends, and business associates, a tangled web of greed, deception, and murder begins to unravel. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke and adapted from Dashiell Hammett’s novel, The Thin Man combines witty dialogue, sophisticated comedy, romance, and classic mystery. William Powell and Myrna Loy are perfectly matched as Nick and Nora Charles, whose playful banter and effortless chemistry made them one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen couples. This stylish 1934 mystery remains a landmark of classic American cinema.

Comedy Mystery Crime husband wife relationship police detective mistress dinner black and white wedding dog police detective screwball comedy private detective missing person

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Character

Classical in form, resolved, effortless and cool.

classical in formformally daring
resolvedopen-ended
effortlessdemanding
cooloverwhelming
gravecomic

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“Is William Powell the best thing in The Thin Man?”
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“Is The Thin Man better than After the Thin Man?”
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“Is it funnier than it is smart?”
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Across media

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Cast

William PowellNick Charles
Myrna LoyNora Charles
Maureen O'SullivanDorothy Wynant
Nat PendletonInspector Guild
Minna GombellMimi Wynant
Porter HallHerbert MacCaulay
Henry WadsworthTommy
William HenryGilbert Wynant
Harold HuberArthur Nunheim
Cesar RomeroChris Jorgenson

Crew

W.S. Van DykeDirector
Albert HackettScreenplay
Frances GoodrichScreenplay
Dashiell HammettNovel
James Wong HoweDirector of Photography
William AxtOriginal Music Composer
Robert KernEditor
Hunt StrombergProducer

Where to watch

Free	Kanopy
Rent	Amazon Video Apple TV Store Google Play Movies YouTube Fandango At Home
Buy	Amazon Video Apple TV Store Google Play Movies YouTube Fandango At Home

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Pairings

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