Independent Films, Film Profiles

Another Thin Man

Another Thin Man is the third film in the six volume series, the Thin Man. The 1939 film again stars William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, which is based on the writings of Dashiell Hammett. Their son, Nicky Jr., is also introduced in the film. The cast includes their terrier Asta, Virginia Grey, Otto Kruger, C. Aubrey Smith, Ruth Hussey, Nat Pendleton, Patric Knowles, Sheldon Leonard, Tom Neal, Phyllis Gordon and Marjorie Main.The film was originally promoted in the United States under the title of Return of the Thin Man, and was followed by Shadow of the Thin Man (1941).In this adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's "The Farewell Murder", Nick and Nora Charles are back in New York with Asta and a new arrival - Nicky Jr. They are invited by Colonel MacFey to spend the weekend at his house in Long Island as he desperately wants Nick to put his well-known detective skills to work. It seems the Colonel has been receiving threats from Phil Church, a very shady character. When Col. McFey is killed, Church seems to be the obvious suspect. However, Nick is skeptical. He suspects there is something far more complicated going on. McFey's housekeeper, daughter and various hangers-on all may have had an interest in seeking the old man's demise.