The Thin Man Goes Home (1944)

hyped garbage

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) go on holiday, and end up involved in a murder.While Powell is the title character, Loy carries the picture. Her fast talking and attitude (reminiscent of a certain Howard Hawks heroine) really draws us in and keeps the pace going steady. She was apparently almost replaced... that would have been the death of the series for sure.I enjoyed the spanking scene, with Powell calling this the "power of the press", with that adorable dog clapping -- in fact, the dog in general is definitely a character all his own.Not sure what is up with how the sailor dances -- it looks more like assault at times.I would love to point out that the greatest cinematographer of all time, Karl Freund, photographed this picture. However, there is nothing of his creativity here... perhaps stifled by the studio atmosphere.

The Thin Man goes home, is probably the most panned of the Nick and Nora series, but for some reason I find it the most enjoyable. I kind of think of this as a Sherlock Holmes meets Leave it to Beaver. A lot more gritty undercurrent in this one, but also more of a real life feel to it as well. Most of the other films make me feel like I'm watching a high society gala, whereas this film gives me a chance to see the down to earthness of Nick and Nora. They may be rich beyond compare, but they don't come across as snotty or bitchy. They're wholesome and kind. Fun and vibrant. These are the uptight aristocrats so common in British film and novel, nor are they the arrogant and completely oblivious nouveau rich of Hollywood. See Paris Hilton, and a bevy of other born into wealth starlets who have an air of entitlement about them, never having had to earn for themselves. They come across as completely shallow and callous, whereas the Nick and Nora characters are just schleps with money. They are cultured, but not afraid to be amongst the people. With all the wealth they have, they can spend their vacation in a ritzy hotel, but would rather stay in Nick's childhood home, and visit with his old school chums. The mystery itself isn't bad either. Although improbable, it does maintain an air of believability. Some great character actors round out the cast to really make this the most complete of the thin man films.

Although we get a fairly sanitized version of Nick and Nora this is a very delightful installment of the Thin Man franchise. The story is entertaining and sparks fly between Nick and Nora. The chemistry was never better. Never mind that Nick's family doesn't quite match what we know about him. The crime plot is also good and not quite as obviuously an alibi for a film as an the third part for example. I think this is the episode that shows Myrna Loy to her best advantage. She wears a very sexy suit (and no bra) and looks a complete knock out. I felt slightly embarrassed having the hots for a woman who is older than my granny.

With entry 5/6 it was a more conventional series, more mature and sedate than the sophisticated romp of 10 years previous. But still good clean fun, even with the Ed Brophy in the bushes gag!Nick and Nora vacate to Nick's parents home in in quiet Hicksville, but find it suddenly bristling with murder, base intrigues and seedy bars. The plot's easier to follow than before, but that doesn't make it less entertaining: Based on the data collected whilst watching the first four films I deduced who the murderer was straight off (but not the real baddies) - but it was still wonderful to take part in the denouement. Character actors from the Falcon and Boston Blackie fill the screen, and even Donald MacBride appears as yes, a detective. Asta followed Nick closely throughout, Junior was left at school for the sake of all the viewers, however Nora was given a few out of character padding sequences. Favourite bit: At a dance Nora getting whisked into a prolonged hep jive with a sailor much to Nick's transfixed amazement.So well worth watching for those of us who are looking for olde time production-line family entertainment and not High Art.