The Thin Man Goes Home (1944)

Nick and Nora visit Nick's hometown, and end up involved in a murder.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Robert Riskin (screen play), Dwight Taylor (screen play)

Stars:

William Powell, Myrna Loy, Lucile Watson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Powell	...	Nick Charles
Myrna Loy	...	Nora Charles
Lucile Watson	...	Mrs. Charles
Gloria DeHaven	...	Laurabelle Ronson (as Gloria De Haven)
Anne Revere	...	Crazy Mary
Helen Vinson	...	Helena Draque
Harry Davenport	...	Dr. Bertram Charles
Leon Ames	...	Edgar Draque
Donald Meek	...	Willie Crump
Edward Brophy	...	Brogan
Lloyd Corrigan	...	Dr. Bruce Clayworth
Anita Sharp-Bolster	...	Hilda (as Anita Bolster)
Ralph Brooke	...	Peter Berton
Donald MacBride	...	Police Chief MacGregor
Morris Ankrum	...	Willoughby

Storyline

Nick and Nora head to Nick's hometown of Sycamore Springs to spend some time with his parents. His father, a prominent local physician, was always a bit disappointed with Nick's choice of profession in particular and his lifestyle in general. With Nick's arrival however the towns folk, including several of the local criminal element, are convinced that he must be there on a case despite his protestations that he's just there for rest and relaxation. When someone is shot dead on his doorstep however, Nick finds himself working on a case whether he wants to or not.

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Plot Keywords:

fifth part | screwball comedy | vacation | nick and nora charles | murder | 

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Taglines:

Together again in M-G-M's riotous comedy. (Title lobby card).

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the other five "Thin Man" films Nick's hat is creased with a diamond shape in the crown. For some unknown reason, in this film his hat has a center crease. Ironically, one other character in this film has the diamond crease instead of Nick.

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Goofs

In the baggage car scene, Asta twice hides behind a milk can - once running from the right and the second time, running from the left. In the second sequence, the writing on the crates behind him is backwards. This is because the film editor simply reversed the negative from the first sequence in order to "create" the second. [Note: though, in the novel, Asta was a female schnauzer, in the movies, the dog is a male wire fox terrier.]

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Quotes

Tom: [Repeated line] Mums the word.

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Connections

Follows After the Thin Man (1936)

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Soundtracks

The Old Oaken Bucket
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Samuel Woodworth
Music by George F. Kiallmark
Performed by William Powell
[Powell sings the first line of the song then continues with "Deep in the Heart of Texas"]

User Reviews

One of the few examples of a *good* sequel...

This film is hilarious! Powell and Loy's chemistry just doesn't let up, even after four sequels. I've now seen three of these films (The first, third and fifth), and the quality is as high as ever. I liked this one better than the third (Another Thin Man), though it's not quite as good as the first (The Thin Man).

The humour is excellent. These films wouldn't be half as good without the oft-subtle, always hilarious dialogue rampant throughout. And Powell and Loy are always perfect, they never miss a beat. One of the problems I had with the third one was that it felt forced, the humour just wasn't top-notch. But it's full-force here, nearly at the level of the first one. As well, the story is much more interesting than the third one, and almost at the level of the first. The first one had the spark, the originality, that won't ever be reproduced. But this script is sharp (although I really missed all of the great drinking jokes;), and it didn't (thankfully) have the brat of a baby;) And Asta is as cute as ever, what more could I ask for??

It's not perfect, it's not as good as the first. But it's up there! Another definite must-see; I'd recommend these films to all, an eternal classic!! 8/10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Thin Man's Rival

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1