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| The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man / Alias Nick and Nora) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Basil Wrangell, Tex Avery, Jules Dassin
Actors: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Clancy Cooper, Chick York, John Nesbitt
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $59.98
Buy New: $26.99
You Save: $32.99 (55%)
New (47) Used (17) from $24.54
Avg. Customer Rating:  196 reviews
Sales Rank: 317
Format: Box Set, Black & White, Digital Sound, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 7
Running Time: 666
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.5 x 4.2
MPN: WARD67399D
ISBN: 1419807587
UPC: 012569673991
EAN: 9781419807589
ASIN: B0009GX1C4
Theatrical Release Date: September 1947
Release Date: August 2, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 "The Thin Man" from the Martini Era to Family Life to WWII and Beyond. April 7, 2006
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
"The Thin Man" is one of Hollywood's most enduring films from the 1930s starring its most enduring screen duo of stars Myrna Loy and William Powell, who made a record 16 films together including 6 for the "Thin Man" franchise. "The Complete Thin Man Collection" brings all 6 "Thin Man" films together, originally released 1934-1947, allowing the viewer to enjoy these delightful comedic mysteries and the great Loy-Powell chemistry while we watch the franchise evolve with the times. "The Thin Man" (1934) was released on the heels of the best-selling Dashiell Hammett novel on which it is based and introduced moviegoers to retired private detective Nick Charles (William Powell), formerly of the working class, who married blue-blooded San Francisco heiress, Nora (Myra Loy). Nick intends to stay clear of the dirty business of solving crimes now that he has a comfortable life, but while he and Nora spend the holidays in New York, the daughter of an old acquaintance begs Nick to help her locate her missing father. Try as he might, Nick cannot avoid being caught up in the case.
In contrast to Dashiell Hammett's novel, "The Thin Man" film cleans up the characters, dispenses with Hammett's cynicism, and makes light of Nick and Nora's alcoholism. This genial tone persists throughout the 6 "Thin Man" films. The first of the series retains Hammett's terrifically entertaining witty banter. The film is good-natured, while Hammett's novel is anything but. But "The Thin Man" is a great adaptation. Nothing could be more pleasantly amusing than Nick and Nora's revolving-door Christmas party. And cute pooch Asta is so silly that he's charming. William Powell and Myrna Loy's quirky chemistry make the film -and make lines like, "I'm much too busy seeing that you don't lose any of the money I married you for" sound funny. Shot in only 12 days because MGM wanted Myrna Loy for another film, "The Thin Man" is one of the best films of the 1930s, and it's as much fun now as it was 70 years ago. It was director W. S. Van Dyke's idea to cast Loy, who tended to play exotic women and vamps, in a role more like herself: sassy, witty, modern, and self-assured. It was the beginning of nearly two decades of roles for Loy as "the ideal wife". William Powell came to "The Thin Man" having starred in 4 "Philo Vance" detective pictures, and Nick Charles gave him the opportunity to loosen up onscreen.
Dashiell Hammett contributed stories (unpublished) for 2 more "Thin Man" movies, on which he collaborated with screenwriters Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. W. S. Van Dyke would direct 4 "Thin Man" films before his death in 1943. Impressively, the quality of the "Thin Man" movies did not take a nosedive as the series progressed. The films vary in quality, but all are entertaining. To say they are formulaic might be an understatement, but these movies gave the audience what it wanted: a labyrinthine mystery, a long list of colorful suspects, a funny and attractive pair of sleuths, and a scene in which Nick brings everyone together to sweat the solution out of them. The best is, of course, the first: 1934's "The Thin Man". The second-best is its sequel, 1936's "After the Thin Man", which doesn't match the wit of the first film, but does match, and possibly exceeds, the mystery and cast of suspects. Third-best is the last film of the series, 1947's "Song of the Thin Man", which finds a middle-aged Nick and Nora investigating a murder aboard a friend's gambling ship. It's notable that this film doesn't try to fudge the Charleses ages or pretend that they are young, as a modern film might. It treats age with good humor, not denial, poking fun at the generation gap.
The films go back-and-forth, from East Coast to West Coast, as the series progresses, with Police Lieutenant Guild (Nat Pendleton) returning as the New York cop and Lieutenant Abrams (Sam Levene) making repeat appearances as San Francisco's police detective. After the first 2 films, in which the police detectives are hard-boiled, they begin to be played for laughs -something which, I note, Dashiell Hammett would not have put in a book. 1939's "Another Thin Man" takes place on the Long Island Estate of Nora's father's old business partner, who is convinced that a former employee is out to kill him. 1941's "Shadow of the Thin Man" is back in San Francisco where Nick investigates the apparent murder of an unscrupulous jockey and equally corrupt reporter. 1945's "The Thin Man Goes Home" is the worst of the series, but it occupies a special place. It was made during World War II in the spirit of supporting the war effort by presenting an idealized vision of middle class Americans. So the wealthy Charleses visit Nick's parents and childhood home in small town U.S.A.. The glamour is temporarily sucked out of the franchise. Nora is done up in a frizzy hairdo, horrible house dresses, and the ugliest suits imaginable. There are no criminal underworld characters but, instead, international espionage and a silly debutante.
The DVDs (Warner Brothers 2005 7-disc set): Each film is on a separate disc, accompanied by a short film, a cartoon, and a theatrical trailer, so that you watch the films as moviegoers did at the time of their original release. The films have minor flaws (some specks) and good sound. Short films of particular note are: "How to Be a Detective" on Disc 2 and "Why Daddy?" on Disc 5, both written by and starring humorist Robert Benchley. An adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "A Tell-Tale Heart" directed by Jules Dessin on Disc 4. A children's film called "A Really Important Person", starring Dean Stockwell, on Disc 6. Selective filmographies/bibliographies for Myrna Loy, William Powell, Dashiell Hammett, Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, and director W. S. Van Dyke are on Disc 1. A 1940 "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast (audio) of "After the Thin Man" is found on the disc with the film, as is "Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo" (audio), a "cavalcade of musical hits" from 1936 movies. Disc 7 is all bonus features: "William Powell: A True Gentleman" (30 min), a documentary about Powell's life and incredibly varied 30-year+ career in movies. "Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To" (45 min), a documentary from the 1980s, hosted by Kathleen Turner, about Myrna Loy's career and onscreen persona. There is one episode from the 1958 television series "The Thin Man" (25 min), starring Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk, which I guess was hip and progressive at the time. And there is a "Lux Radio Theater Broadcast" (audio) of "The Thin Man" from 1936, which needs to be cleaned up. The features on Disc 7 really should have just been added to the other discs in the interest of space. Subtitles are available for the films in English, Spanish, French (& Portuguese for "The Thin Man"). Dubbing is available in French on some discs.
He was nowhere near my tabloids July 24, 2005
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I don't have much to add to the fine things said by the fine people who've already reviewed this DVD box set, which is sure to be one of the great sets ever since it's putting together the greatest single movie series of all time. William Powell and Myrna Loy were the greatest movie couple ever, they really were, and I say that with tremendous respect for the great Hepburn and Tracy, Astaire and Rogers, and Newman and Redford.
These 6 movies (particularly the first 3) offer much of the best of the Powell-Loy teamwork, but for those interested in delving deeper, these two fantastic stars made 13 films together and all are worth watching. Their first pairing was NOT this movie, as is often mistakenly believed: they teamed with Clark Gable for a 1934 melodrama appropriately titled "Manhattan Melodrama," which is now most famous as being the movie gangster John Dillinger saw just before the FBI ambushed and killed him outside the theater. It's cheesy, but GREAT cheesy, a lot of fun; you could do worse than having this be the last movie you see. As a result of the obvious chemistry between Powell and Loy, they were immediately cast as Nick and Nora Charles in "The Thin Man," made the same year. Dillinger would have loved it.
Other Powell and Loy films you should see: "Love Crazy" (1941), "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936), "The Senator Was Indiscreet" (1947), and "I Love You Again" (1940), probably their out-and-out funniest movie. You HAVE to see that one. Finally there is the wonderful "Libeled Lady" (1936?), one of the 2 or 3 greatest screwball comedies of all time, featuring Powell, Loy, Spencer Tracy, and the inimitable Jean Harlow in probably her best role. If you see just one Powell-Loy movie, I feel sorry for you. See them all.
Meantime, snap up this fantastic box set and settle back for 6 movies that feature pretty much the first and the last word on screen chemistry. William Powell and Myrna Loy are simply the best. Check them out and discover for yourself.
Thank you Warner Bros.!!!! The Thin Man has arrived!!! April 27, 2005
10 out of 15 found this review helpful
Finally, the excellent Thin Man series is coming in a definitive set!!! I have been waiting for this release for a very long time. William Powell and Myrna Loy are absolutely fantastic in these films and in my opinion, are one of the greatest of the onscreen duos (right up at the very top with Hepburn and Tracy). Their chemistry together is pitch perfect and these films are a delight to behold. The best, I think, is the second entry in the series: After The Thin Man. This is an excellent sequel and probably the best of all of them (though each is great in its own right).
Well, enough said, order this great box set right now and treasure these classic films for years to come!!
(Also, Thank you to Warner Brothers for realizing the importance of releasing classic films on DVD. You're doing a great job with your releases and are catching up to Criterion quite quickly).
The Thin Man...Classic, a must own. November 27, 2005
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
The Thin Man movies are perhaps the greatest collection of films from this era or any other. Nick and Nora (William Powell and Myrna Loy) have such great chemistry it is a joy to watch these classics again and again. These films are the yardstick that every other comedy are judged against. It is tough to decide which is my favorite, the 1st or 2nd. Now, with this box set I can watch them all any time I want. This is a gift that will be enjoyed by anybody who gets it and you will be remembered for giving such a wonderful present. Get it now and get out the Martini shaker...
the template for sophisticated mystery-comedies May 19, 2006
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
For movies made in the 1930s, the delightfully entertaining "Thin Man" series of comedic whodunits have a remarkably modern sensibility. Just consider the first film, The Thin Man:
Nick and Nora drink constantly, usually martinis. Is it just coincidence that Prohibition was repealed in 1933 and this glorification of steady-state inebriation came out in 1934?
The chief suspect, a crusty eccentric inventor, left his wife for his platinum-blond secretary
The secretary is a two-timing floozy who filched $50K of bonds from the clueless inventor to fund one of her shady "acquaintances"
The inventor's ex-wife hooked up with a sleazy no-goodnik who turns out to have a first wife he forgot to divorce
The inventor's son is a borderline sociopath who has a psycho-babble explanation for everything
The daughter has a standard-issue "nice guy" in love with her, but when her father is suspected of murdering his two-timing ex-secretary/lover, she concludes her family is doomed to madness. Having reached this abundantly well-supported conclusion, she ditches her upstanding fiance and runs off to the train station with an unctuous seducer.
Did I mention that a stiff drink is always close at hand when Nick Charles in onscreen?
Sounds like a script from Oprah's show, doesn't it? Dysfunction, corruption, heavy drinking--it's all here. But the appeal is all in what's not present in today's America.
The charmingly natural chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy and the sparkling dialog have endeared viewers for decades (as have the antics of their irrepressibly cute dog, Asta) but I have a soft spot for the wonderfully rough-around-the-edges (if not outright seamy) slice of life the films portray: if a suspect mouths off shortly after being collared, he's quickly silenced by a fist in the face (here's yer Miranda rights right here!), and the movies abound with two-bit grifters, gamblers, floozies, shifty characters and ex-cons.
Nick Charles has the enviable (and let's face it, wildly improbable) gift of being at ease in both this underworld of human greed, passion and cupidity, and the glittery high-society life the couple inherited from Nora's rich father. One highlight (at least for me) in each film is some accented (Bronx or Brooklyn? I need some guidance here from a New-Yawka) ex-con, who good-naturedly reminds Nick, "Hey, Nick, doncha remember me? Two-bit Charley? Ya sent me up the river, remember? But hey, no hard feelings, you're alright!" Nick, ever so slightly taken aback, nonetheless greets the proletarian ex-con with bonhomie and makes a point of introducing Nora to the ex-con, who inevitably makes a wisecrack along the lines of, "Hey, she's a looker!", allowing Nora to look askance at her all-too-chummy-with-smalltime-hoods husband.
The films sport an abundance of class-conscious Depression subtexts. While they enable the audience the escapist pleasures of vicariously sharing the high life of parties, discreet gambling boats and hot jazz clubs, Nick's breezy comfort with lower-class crooks simultaneously inoculates the couple from underclass resentment. You just gotta love Nick, who in classic anti-hero fashion, staves off pressure from both the police and media while giving the hoods who are wrongfully suspected a straight deal. He is, in other words, the personification of noblesse oblige: the embodiment of all the noble characteristics that the nation sought in the privileged class. (The role of film is, after all, to make fantasy real.)
Most amazingly, the film takes the old, hackeyed gambit of assembling all the suspects into one room for the hero-detective to pick apart and makes it work, both as drama and as comedy. Beefy cops don ill-fitting waiters outfits and roughly shove recalcitrant suspects into their dining chairs ("You're not gonna pin this on me, copper!" etc.) The fancy dinner-party mis-en-scene sets up one of Nora's best lines: "Waiter, serve the nuts. (pregnant pause). I mean, serve the nuts to the guests."
The Thin Man is both the epitome of and the template for sophisticated mystery-comedies, a lighter-than-air souffle of class pretensions deflated, seamy villany exposed and a constantly inebriated anti-hero who nonetheless is sharp as a tack when it comes to nailing the evil-doer or countering his adorable mate's witty barbs.
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