The Thin Man
Seen it?1934 | 91 min | Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery or Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, tense.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1934: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Former detective Nick Charles has retired from police work, preferring a life of cocktails, parties, and relaxation with his wealthy wife, Nora. Their holiday is interrupted when the daughter of Nick’s former client asks for help finding her missing father, eccentric inventor Clyde Wynant. When Wynant’s body is discovered, Nick is drawn back into the investigation, with Nora eagerly joining him. As the couple questions Wynant’s family, friends, and business associates, a tangled web of greed, deception, and murder begins to unravel.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$1 million worldwide on a $226K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 173K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
After the Thin Man
Sunday Safe BetFrom the same Thin Man series, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Saturday SpecialAnother detective mystery.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Saturday SpecialAnother detective crime comedy, and a Saturday Special.
The Nice Guys Saturday SpecialAnother detective crime comedy, and a Saturday Special.
The Long Goodbye Saturday SpecialAnother detective mystery.
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Cast & crew
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
- William PowellNick Charles
- Myrna LoyNora Charles
- Maureen O'SullivanDorothy Wynant
- Nat PendletonInspector Guild
- Minna GombellMimi Wynant
- Porter HallHerbert MacCaulay
- Henry WadsworthTommy
- William HenryGilbert Wynant
- Harold HuberArthur Nunheim
- Cesar RomeroChris Jorgenson