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

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Wartime audiences would have been very familiar with the packed passenger train, including the standing room only, as trains moving troops and war materials had priority over civilians traveling by rail for non-essential reasons.

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Goofs

When Peter Berton is standing in the doorway talking to Nick, when he speaks, the words come out, "You see, there's something I've gotta get off my mind." But the mouth movements indicate he said, "There's something I've gotta get off my chest."

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Quotes

Nicholas 'Nick' Charles: Thank you very much. Goodbye, now.
Willie Crump: I beg your pardon?
Nicholas 'Nick' Charles: I said goodbye, now.
Willie Crump: Goodbye - now? There's no sense to that? Obviously, it's now. I mean, you wouldn't say goodbye, tomorrow. Or, goodbye, two hours ago.
Nicholas 'Nick' Charles: You've got ahold of something there, brother.
Willie Crump: I've got ahold of some? I haven't got ahold of anything. And I'm not your brother!

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Myrna Loy (1961)

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Soundtracks

Deep In The Heart Of Texas
(uncredited)
Music by Don Swander (1941)
Lyrics by June Hershey (1941)
Sung a cappella by William Powell with improvised lyrics

User Reviews

"Is There Anything Better Than Dancing?"

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.