After the Thin Man (1936)

Nick investigates the case of a missing man and later a murder that is connected to Nora's family.

Director:

W.S. Van Dyke

Writers:

Frances Goodrich (screen play), Albert Hackett (screen play)

Stars:

William Powell, Myrna Loy, James Stewart

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Powell	...	Nick Charles
Myrna Loy	...	Nora Charles
James Stewart	...	David Graham
Elissa Landi	...	Selma Landis
Joseph Calleia	...	'Dancer'
Jessie Ralph	...	Aunt Katherine Forrest
Alan Marshal	...	Robert Landis (as Alan Marshall)
Teddy Hart	...	Casper
Sam Levene	...	Police Lt. Abrams
Penny Singleton	...	Polly Byrnes (as Dorothy McNulty)
William Law	...	Lum Kee
George Zucco	...	Dr. Kammer
Paul Fix	...	Phil
Asta	...	Asta
Mrs. Asta	...	Mrs. Asta

Storyline

Now back in San Francisco after their holiday in New York, Nick and Nora find themselves trying to solve another mystery. It's New Year's Eve and they are summoned to dinner at Nora's elderly, and very aristocratic, family. There they find that cousin Selma's husband Robert has been missing for three days. Nick reluctantly agrees to look for him but the case takes a twist when Robert is shot and Selma is accused of murder. Several other murders occur but eventually Nick gathers everyone into the same room to reveal the identity of the killer.

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Plot Keywords:

four word title | dead body | hotel room | hotel | dinner party | 

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Taglines:

Mr. and Mrs. Thin Man Are Back In Their New Hit

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film marks the first instance of puppy dog adultery in the history of cinema.

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Goofs

In the very brief shot of the divers underwater looking for the gun, one can see air bubbles going into their diving helmets - that snippet of film was run backwards.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Nora Charles: [on a train] Nickie! Nickie! What are you doing?
Nick Charles: [shaving] Just practicing, dear. Will you have a little slice of throat?

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Followed by Song of the Thin Man (1947)

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Soundtracks

Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing)
(1936) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Louis Prima
Played by the band and sung by an Eadie Adams at Nick and Nora's surprise coming home party.

User Reviews

The Best Thin Man

The first "Thin Man" was great, but I like "After the Thin Man" even better. William Powell and Myrna Loy, as Nick and Nora Charles, are the archetype sophisticated couple. No one since has come close. Great casting of the supporting roles fills out the story exquisitely. Wow, could those old studios serve up wonderful acting for all kinds of characters! My favorite is Aunt Katherine, the battle ax to end all battles axes, played by Jessie Ralph; and Henry, the rickety old butler played by, would you believe, Tom Ricketts.

As usual, the dialog sparkles. And the story is great-- a nice Dashiell Hammett whodunit with a not-too-complicated plot that leads to a surprise ending. The encounter between Nora's family and Nick -- "Poor Nora!" -- is worth the price of admission. I grin every time I think about it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Comédia dos Acusados

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$683,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1