Today, we debut a new feature focusing on movie franchises, by which I mean movies that have multiple sequels. The Thin Man (1934) was based on a crime novel by Dashiell Hammett. The witty script and wonderful comedic chemistry between William Powell, as the perpetually tipsy ex-detective and Myrna Loy as his wealthy, thrill seeking and unflappable wife made the film an sensational hit. This, naturally, led to 5 sequels over the next 13 years. Many feel that the series kind of "jumped the shark" after the death of the original director, W.S. Van Dyke, in 1943, but, personally, I like the final two entries. They may not be quite up to the standard of the first 4 films, but I still find them entertaining.
Interestingly, although the term "the thin man" came to refer to William Powell's character Nick Charles, in the original novel "the thin man" referred to the victim. In Hammett's novel, Nick Charles was overweight.
After the Thin Man (1936)
After the Thin Man (1936)
After the Thin Man (1936)
In Another Thin Man (1939), the Charles' are joined by their newly arrived son.
Another Thin Man (1939)
Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
The Thin Man Goes Home (1945)
One of the most popular recurring characters in the series was the Charles' terrier Asta. In fact, Asta was so popular with moviegoers of the 30s and 40s that demand for the breed led to the over-breeding of wire-haired terriers around the country.
Song of the Thin Man (1947)
Song of the Thin Man (1947)
Song of the Thin Man (1947)