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IMDbPro

The Thin Man

  • 19341934
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
31K
YOUR RATING
Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, and William Powell in The Thin Man (1934)
Theatrical Trailer from MGM
Play trailer3:16
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyCrimeMystery
Former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it.Former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it.Former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
31K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • W.S. Van Dyke
  • Writers
    • Albert Hackett(screen play)
    • Frances Goodrich(screen play)
    • Dashiell Hammett(from the novel by)
  • Stars
    • William Powell
    • Myrna Loy
    • Maureen O'Sullivan
  • Director
    • W.S. Van Dyke
  • Writers
    • Albert Hackett(screen play)
    • Frances Goodrich(screen play)
    • Dashiell Hammett(from the novel by)
  • Stars
    • William Powell
    • Myrna Loy
    • Maureen O'Sullivan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 175User reviews
    • 88Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Thin Man
    Trailer 3:16
    Watch The Thin Man
    Uggie, Toto, & Award-Winning Movie Dogs
    Clip 3:31
    Watch Uggie, Toto, & Award-Winning Movie Dogs

    Photos256

    "The Thin Man" William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan 1934 /MPTV
    William Powell and Myrna Loy in "The Thin Man"
    Myrna Loy and William Powell in "The Thin Man," 1934.
    The Thin Man (1934)
    Myrna Loy and William Powell in The Thin Man (1934)
    Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, and William Powell in The Thin Man (1934)
    Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, and William Powell in The Thin Man (1934)
    William Powell and Nat Pendleton in The Thin Man (1934)
    William Powell in The Thin Man (1934)
    Cyril Thornton in The Thin Man (1934)
    Myrna Loy and William Powell in The Thin Man (1934)
    William Powell and Nat Pendleton in The Thin Man (1934)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Powell
    William Powell
    • Nick Charles
    Myrna Loy
    Myrna Loy
    • Nora Charles
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    • Dorothy Wynant
    Nat Pendleton
    Nat Pendleton
    • Lt. John Guild
    Minna Gombell
    Minna Gombell
    • Mimi Jorgenson
    Porter Hall
    Porter Hall
    • Herbert MacCaulay
    Henry Wadsworth
    Henry Wadsworth
    • Tommy
    William Henry
    William Henry
    • Gilbert Wynant
    Harold Huber
    Harold Huber
    • Nunheim
    Cesar Romero
    Cesar Romero
    • Chris Jorgenson
    Natalie Moorhead
    Natalie Moorhead
    • Julia Wolf
    Edward Brophy
    Edward Brophy
    • Morelli
    Edward Ellis
    Edward Ellis
    • Clyde Wynant
    Cyril Thornton
    • Tanner
    Asta
    Asta
    • Asta
    • (uncredited)
    Will Aubrey
    Will Aubrey
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    William Augustin
    William Augustin
    • Wynant's Butler
    • (uncredited)
    Polly Bailey
    • Janitress
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • W.S. Van Dyke
    • Writers
      • Albert Hackett(screen play)
      • Frances Goodrich(screen play)
      • Dashiell Hammett(from the novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Powell spoke of how much he loved working with Myrna Loy because of her naturalness, her professionalism, and her lack of any kind of "diva" temperament. "When we did a scene together, we forgot about technique, camera angles, and microphones. We weren't acting. We were just two people in perfect harmony," he said. "Myrna, unlike some actresses who think only of themselves, has the happy faculty of being able to listen while the other fellow says his lines. She has the give and take of acting that brings out the best."
    • Goofs
      When Nick and the coroner look at the body through the Fluoroscope, the bullet, and a piece of shrapnel, appear as bright white. The Fluoroscope uses X-rays except it is viewed on a screen instead of film. Dense objects, such as bones, appear dark, as it appears in the movie. The bullet and shrapnel should then be even darker as it blocks even more of the X-rays. However, this would not have shown up well in the movies, so they were made bright white so the viewers could see them easily.
    • Quotes

      Nora Charles: Waiter, will you serve the nuts? I mean, will you serve the guests the nuts?

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits are shown with the original novel by Dashiell Hammett in the background.
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood: The Fabulous Era (1962)
    • Soundtracks
      Jingle Bells
      (1857) (uncredited)

      Music by James Pierpont

      Background music at Nick and Nora's party

    User reviews175

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Puts modern movies to shame
    "The Thin Man", a deliciously superb mix that keeps getting richer becomes better with every single viewing. The first time I missed a bit of the murder plot, but repeated viewings just enhance the movie.

    It has started making me wanted to go out, get a terrier and call it Asta, drink too much for my own good and become a private eye detective. And move to New York. The lovable couple make it all look fun, and even if they do drink too much. Only after I have snapped out of admiration mode for the movie I remember that they were highly paid actors following a script in a hit film of 1934, and I'm living in the year 2000, cannot get a dog, am living in Sydney, and worst of all, I'm fourteen, so I can't drink or become a detective. Such is the modern manner of the movie. It is one of the very few films of its time that retains its freshness, intrigue and brilliant humour.

    William Powell and Myrna Loy are incredibly likeable, the wisecracking darlings of society who we all want to know. Their performances were both absolutely brilliant! Some of their antics are a good deal wilder than those we are used to, but in fear of being caught up in murder would keep me away from them, but not long enough. I don't believe there are any shallow characters at all. Thank goodness for "The Thin Man". One of the first to show an affectionate couple in love, I'm still scanning for the same in movies of the 50s.

    W.S Dyke is of course not one of the most remembered directors of his time, but for this alone he could be considered a great director. He was not Alfred Hitchcock, but he successfully combined high comedy, crime and thrills into one film. No wonder the major film studios were hot after this property. And Dyke didn't have to rely on the excruciatingly hilarious elements of slapstick. A married couple and a dog was all that was needed. Such a simple thing to emphasise on, and how well it worked! Could there be a more stolen plot of today?

    Unfortunately, MGM, despite creating one of the best teamings of the era by putting the platonic Powell and Loy together, released this film in 1934. A nominee for Best Picture, Actor and Director, among other things, it was Capra's "It Happened One Night" that made history by becoming the first film in history to sweep the five major categories at the Oscars. If it had been released in 1933, it would have beaten the now forgotten "Calvacade", in 1935 it may have swept some Oscars up against "Mutiny on the Bounty". I wonder why Loy was not nominated. The film simply could not have been done without her.

    Powell and Loy went on to make many movies together. Asta, appeared again as George in the 1938 slapstick masterpiece "Bringing Up Baby".

    Although we need some good movies now, no one should even think contemplate for a split second on a remake. There is no way justice could be done to this film. It is a comic masterpiece that continually tricks the viewers, and without a doubt, one of the very best and brightest movies of the 1930s.

    I hope I can watch the other "Thin Man" movies. I will definitely be reading the book. The film ended half an hour ago, but I already feel like going back for a second helping.

    Rating: 10/10
    helpful•116
    14
    • Calysta
    • Jan 18, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 25, 1934 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der dünne Mann
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cosmopolitan Productions
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $226,408 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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