Song of the Thin Man

It may be mediocre, small-time fare, but it's also an excellent example of studio filmmaking from the 40s. In the last of the Thin Man movies, Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) solve a murder (again), this time concerning a jazz bandleader (I think; the plot was kind of confusing). The dialogue isn't as sharp as in the other movies, and Dean Stockwell as Nick Jr. is cloying (although he was far worse in Anchors Aweigh). Keenan Wynn is fun as a jazz "insider" who "jams"; the outdated language in this movie is unbelievable. This is also wholesale propaganda: all the jazz players in the movie are either drunk or unpleasant, or both, thereby reinforcing the wholesome American family. As Janet, Jayne Meadows looks EXACTLY like Donna on Twin Peaks. Intentional or not? Compelling enough reason to watch this movie (the other reason is a bizarre sequence in which William Powell remembers his son growing up while his memories are projected onto the boy's butt).

I completely disagree with some prior posters who thought this the worst in the series. First of all, it's one of the best mysteries with any number of possible candidates. Secondly, it has a really strong supporting cast led by K. Wynn who is terrific in the role of jazz inside man. Jayne Meadows and Ralph Morgan are also strong supporting actors. Third, it really showcases jazz, perhaps inadvertently and in a negative way however (as out of touch, out of the mainstream with a different language etc.), and has some great numbers (including the theme song, "You're Not so Easy to Forget" which I think the director was using as a nod to this being the last in the series of Thin Man movies and to William Powell. The director obviously makes his disapproving commentary on jazz in a subtle way: by focusing the camera on the bust of Beethoven just after a jazz scene! But he does integrate the music well into the plot since much of the plot takes place on a gambling boat.

The denouement of the mystery is also probably influential on other mystery/criminal series to follow (like Perry Mason) in that the entire cast of suspects is collected together, as in an Agatha Christie or a Rex Stout story. Fourth, the script is very, very witty and you have to pay close attention to the words (like the reference to Somerset Maugham with the "it couldn't be his razor", a reference to Maugham's, The Razor's Edge. Or how about the time William Powell is "eying" a ladies earrings but his sight is a bit focused elsewhere and Nora reminds him something like, "earrings are higher than that"! But I did think we saw too much of Dean Stockwell and the film would have better off with him in a reduced role (sorry to his fan club, but I'm no fan). I thought I saw the Wizard of Oz in this movie and it turns out that it is his (almost lookalike) brother! Lastly, Asta has a big and important role in this movie, fittingly so, since it is the last in the series. In short, great acting, great script, and great harmony between Powell (who really could act, especially in comedy) and M. Loy. Superb.

While I enjoyed this final THIN MAN movie, I've gotta admit that it was far less enjoyable than the first few entries in this series. Maybe the actors were getting tired or the writers had writer's block--but the movie just lacked the most important factor for a THIN MAN movie--FUN! Yes, some of the wonderful banter between Nick and Nora was present (particularly when Nora talks "jive"), but only here and there--not nearly as often or as hilarious as in previous films. And, unfortunately, the plot also is pretty convoluted (though I must admit that plot is NOT the primary reason people watched the films--it was the characters). Also, their son, played by Dean Stockwell, was never developed as a character and, Frankly, Nick and Nora seemed like TERRIBLE parents. Oh well, despite all these complaints, it still is a pretty good film--slightly better than average but that's really about all.

It's 1947 and after five entries into the "Thin Man" series, starting in 1934, it's time for a sixth and last one. This may not be the best, but it has a lovely cast consisting of William Powell and Myrna Loy, of course, as well as Keenan Wynn, Leon Ames, Gloria Grahame, Don Taylor, Patricia Morison, Jayne Meadows, Dean Stockwell as little Nicky, and Asta Jr.

Nora is trying for a higher class of acquaintances in the hopes that Nicky will get to know people besides thieves. At a society dance, the band leader, Tommy Drake (Philip Reed), is killed. The police go after Phil Brant, whom they suspect. The next day, Janet Thayer (Meadows) and Brant (Bruce Cowling), with whom she has just eloped, come to ask for Nick and Nora's help. The police arrive just then, and because Nick believes that Brant's life is in danger, turns him over to the police for his own safety.

Ass Nick and Nora look into the case, they find out that there are many suspects in Drake's death as he wasn't very popular. Janet's father (Ralph Morgan) couldn't stand him, he owed money to a loan shark (William Bishop), and the clarinetist (Don Taylor) and Drake had an onstage fight. Drake suspected him of having an affair with his girlfriend (Grahame) who sings with the band.

In an attempt to be hep, Nick attempts to use musician language, and it's funny to hear it coming from him, and Nora tells the institutionalized clarinet player that she's a "canary." Though they were always wonderful together, Powell and Loy just don't have the zip of earlier films; they are, after all, older. Powell is 55, Loy is 42 and lovely, but their routine is tired. The mystery is okay; Dean Stockwell is funny as the incorrigible Nicky, and Asta Jr. has some funny bits.

You'll enjoy this as long as you don't compare it to the first few. "The Thin Man" started a host of imitators as well as a TV show and Broadway musical. Powell and Loy brought humor and class to the detective genre. This isn't really a fitting end to such an important series.

Did Nick and Nora's swan song, "Song Of The Thin Man," try just a tad too hard to be hip and cool? Yep.

You know what that means? It means, so what? It means that what many consider the least popular of the Thin Man movie is still better than most.

For Nick and Nora's final bit of sleuthing and their first in a couple years (since the wonderful Thin Man Goes Home), they enter the ultra-hip, ultra-cool, slanged-out world of jazz, courtesy of their tour guide, reed-man Keenan Wynn, who couldn't put together a sentence of straight Queen's English to save his shoe bottom (soul).

Who killed the band leader? All I can say is, it wasn't Nick or Nora or Asta.

By 1947, William Powell's waistline has expanded slightly and Myrna Loy long ago gave up the sheer, slinky gowns that had us all drooling, but they can still cut it, rug and all.

Were six Thin Man movies enough? Not for me.