Movie Review: After the Thin Man (Thin Man Movies #2)

Stars: 4 out of 5
Pros: Good mystery, plenty of laughs

Cons: Dated at times; too many similar looking actors

The Bottom Line:

Mystery, comedy

Successful combination

In this fun sequel

"Are You Packing?"  "Yes, Dear.  I'm Putting Away This Liquor."

Sequels are nothing new in Hollywood. 1934 brought us The Thin Man, which turned out to be a huge success. So how did MGM follow it? With 1936's After The Thin Man, of course.

Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) are returning home to San Francisco just in time for New Years. Instead of the early evening they had planned, they are summoned to a family dinner at Nora's Aunt Katherine's (Jessie Ralph). Only after dinner do they learn that Cousin Selma (Elissa Landi) is missing her husband. And they can't go to the police and get their names in the paper. So a reluctant Nick agrees to find Robert (Alan Marshal).

The case seems to be over pretty quickly when Nick and Nora find Robert at a night club. But then the dead bodies start piling up. Can Nick sort this all out?

While this movie picks up a couple days after the first one, you don't need to have seen that movie to understand this one. Nick, Nora, and their dog Asta are the only returning characters. There is reference made to the first case, but nothing that will spoil that movie.

Instead, we get more in the way of fun comedic mystery. The mystery actually starts pretty slowly with a pointless party scene and the introduction of the sub-plot involving Asta. Frankly, that sub-plot does tie in thematically, but it doesn't go anywhere. Anyway, once the story gets going, it takes center stage and incorporates several good twists.

Not to say that the comedy takes a back seat. There are several funny twists to the story that made me smile. And the banter between Nick and Nora is sharper, funnier, and more prevalent than in the first.

Once again, the ending is the "gather everyone together" cliche, but Nick does put things together himself this time.

Since this is a 1930's film, there are noticeably dated elements here. The movie is black and white, for starters. Some of the editing is a bit rough. The acting is generally good but not perfect. But if you enjoy old movies, you'll enjoy this one.

And I wasn't picking on the actors in any way. The chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy is perfect. You really do believe they are a married couple very much in love. Jessie Ralph is funny as overbearing Aunt Katherine. And in case you are wondering if you've heard of anyone in this film, there is one familiar name. Jimmy Stewart plays the part of Selma's ex-fiancee. Frankly, my biggest problem with the cast is that too many of the actors looked the same so I had a hard keeping all the men straight.

Even with that frustration, I enjoyed watching After The Thin Man. If you enjoy old movies, be sure you check this series out.