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The Thin Man | Year: 1934 Classification: Mystery / Suspense Directed: - W.S. Van Dyke Actors/Actresses: - William Powell - Myrna Loy Classy, Witty, and Entertaining-Who could ask for more? "The Thin Man" is probably one of the best movies I've ever run across. Based on the mystery by Dashiell Hammett, this movie far outstrips the book in terms of wit and elegance. It's a rare occasion indeed when the movie is better than the book, but this is one of them. "The Thin Man" stars William Powell and Myrna Loy, perhaps two of the most forgotten, yet beloved stars of their time. Powell and Loy have an undeniable chemistry and dead-on comedic timing. Add to that a script filled with witty banter, never-ending martinis, and plenty of bad guys and you've got a movie that can't be beat. To be honest, since I'm writing this in July and the DVD doesn't come out until October, I cannot possibly be reviewing the DVD version of this film. However, I have the VHS version and I've watched it many dozens of times. The DVD version probably won't have tons of extras on it, considering that all major stars of the film are dead and it was filmed in 1934, long before "Making Of" featurettes were standard. Regardless of what extras do or do not come with the DVD version, you should buy this film for the sheer pleasure of watching actors at their best, enjoying each other and their work, and in the process, making a damn fine movie. COMEDY/MYSTERY CAPER LOOKS STUNNING ON DVD "The Thin Man" is the witty, acidic and charming murder mystery with an attitude from which all subsequent crime solvers (most notably television's "Hart to Hart", "Remington Steele" and "Moonlighting") take their cue. The movie features William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, an inspired teaming almost as legendary as Tracy and Hepburn. <BR>PLOT: When a scientist turns up missing his daughter (Maureen O'Sullivan) hires Nick to get to the bottom of the disappearance. <BR>This movie, as do all the subsequent "Thin Man" installments, (there are an additional 5 - none of which are currently available on DVD)relies heavily on the chemistry generated between Loy, Powell and their wire-haired terrier, Asta. The investment in character is not wasted.<BR>Warner Home Video has done an outstanding job on "The Thin Man" DVD. Where previous copies of this movie on VHS and laserdisc looked as though they had been fed through a meat grinder, suffering from age, damage and disrepair, the print used for this DVD looks as though it were shot yesterday, with incredibly sharp, detailed images almost entirely free of any such ravages of time. The visual quality of the print is remarkably solid with little edge enhancement and no pixelization. The audio is mono but well represented with no background hiss. No extras.<BR>BOTTOM LINE: A DEFINITE MUST! Nick and Nora outside the studio...... As an aside, I read a funny little story about how well William Powell and Myrna Loy got along in real life. Somewhere about 1937 or 1938 a magazine ran a nationwide poll to determine the most popular actor and actress in Hollywood. The response to the poll was huge, with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy winding up being the winners. William Powell finished 4th in the actor's category, and wasn't about to take this lying down. He sent Myrna a long, florist box filled with sour grapes. The attached card read "Congratulations, from William the Fourth". Gotta love it....... ;-) Buy The Thin Man at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Thin Man Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Thin Man This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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