The Complete Thin Man Collection - Blu-ray Review

The sparkling Thin Man series features the irresistible William Powell and Myrna Loy as husband and wife sleuths who solved murders with the aid of their wire-haired terrier, Asta. Set in the glamorous world of 1930s and 40s upper-class Manhattan, The Thin Man and its sequels established a timeless standard for witty comedy, clever dialogue and urbane one-upmanship. The 6-Disc set includes The Thin Man, After The Thin Man, Another Thin Man, Shadow of the Thin Man, Song of the Thin Man, and The Thin Man Goes Home. Each film has been meticulously remastered and restored for Blu-ray, from 4K scans of the best surviving elements. Additionally, the collection contains vintage short subjects and animated cartoons to help re-create the way these films were first presented in theaters upon their release. It's an essential collection of screen classics that belong in every serious film lover's library.

REVIEW

The Thin Man © MGM

The first film in the series sets up the irresistible characters of Nick and Nora Charles, as well as their faithful dog Asta, in a story that seems more about the characters and witty dialogue than it is about the mystery. What really makes the film special is that it was produced just before the Hays Code went into effect and just as Prohibition was repealed, so there is adult dialogue and a heavy amount of drinking on screen that you won't see much of in the following five films. The chemistry between William Powell and Myrna Loy is palpable, and it's amazing to know that the film was made in just twelve days. By a modern comparison, that's two or three days less than an average Hallmark or Lifetime TV movie! Everything works so well that it's no surprise the film, based on Dashiell Hammett's novel of the same name, spawned a series of films, books and even a TV series. The second film, After the Thin Man, picks up literally where the first film left off as the couple returns to San Francisco to hopefully celebrate the new year in peace, but of course they are dragged into another mystery. The story may be over-stuffed, but it was an even bigger hit than the first. Unfortunately, the carefree, boozy shenanigans of the first two films give way to a more responsible Nick and Nora in Another Thin Man, with the introduction of a baby, Nicky Jr., but that doesn't keep the parents from becoming involved in yet another murder investigation ... including a dead dog, but not Asta (fans surely would have revolted at that point). The chemistry between Powell and Loy remains, and although the resolution to the mystery feels a bit too much like a Scooby-Doo episode (though perhaps Scooby-Doo is more like The Thin Man), and there may be too many in-jokes for the audience, it's still pleasant enough -- and successful enough -- to keep the series rolling.

Shadow of the Thin Man © MGM

Shadow of the Thin Man followed, the last in the series directed by W.S. Van Dyke (with many considering it the last 'real' Thin Man movie), with the formula intact, though more fluffy than the previous films due to the Hays Code censorship, and with the addition of a now adolescent Nicky Jr. in the mix. It's a well-oiled machine by this point with the Charleses out for a relaxing day at the races, which takes a turn with the murder of a jockey, a slew of suspects, red herrings and a climax that reveals the killer. The film maintains the drama with the screwball comedy, and the leads are charming as always. The Thin Man Goes Home is business as usual with a new director, Richard Thorpe, and the absence of Nicky Jr. and Nick's persistent drinking. Loy was almost replaced by Irene Dunne due to a recent marriage and her work with the Red Cross during World War II, but she did appear in the film, her only acting job during wartime. Here the couple returns to Nick's hometown for a quiet birthday celebration, but a murder stops the vacation plans in their tracks. Naturally. What follows are the typical red herrings, multiple suspects, sidetracks and a big reveal. With its small-town setting, this one feels different than the previous films, and it doesn't quite measure up to their cleverness, but it's still a fun romp with Nick and Nora. The final film in the series, Song of the Thin Man, is the least well-regarded. Nicky Jr. returns (now played by a young Dean Stockwell), but despite the usual tropes of the series, it was clear the franchise was on its last legs with Nick and Nora feeling like characters from a different story who showed up at the wrong mystery. But Stockwell easily steals the movies.

VIDEO

After the Thin Man © MGM

Each film in the collection -- all of which had been previously released individually -- have been meticulously remastered from, according to Warner Bros., the best existing material. The Thin Man was given a 4K scan from a fine-grain master positive (the original nitrate negative no longer exists), with a dupe negative used for some replacement shots. The film was cleaned up with dust and scratches removed, giving the video a nice presentation with sharp detail and lovely black-and-white cinematography, offering nice black levels (though there is some noise and grain) and whites that are never blown out. After the Thin Man was given the same restoration treatment, retaining a nice filmic look on your television or projection system, with perhaps more film grain present than in the other films. The others in the series all received great care with their restorations, and the presentations are all spectacular with stunning detail and lush cinematography that highlights the sets, costumes and actors to their best advantage. There is absolutely nothing to complain about with the visual presentation of The Thin Man films.

AUDIO

Another Thin Man © MGM

Each disk comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track which replicates the films' mono roots, with only a few minor instances of hiss or age-related wear that has been baked into the original audio recordings (most prominent on After the Thin Man). The dialogue is always crisp and clear, never overwhelmed by music or sound effects, replicating what was heard by audiences when the films were released. The disks include English subtitles (SDH), though the first film is formatted in all caps and bright yellow font, which is a bit overbearing. The remaining films still include the yellow font, but caps are only used when necessary.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Thin Man Goes Home © MGM

Each disk comes with a small collection of extras, some new to this release (or rather the original stand-alone Blu-rays), some ported over from the earlier DVD collection release.

• The Thin Man includes the June 8, 1936 audio only broadcast of Lux Radio Theater (58:21), featuring Powell and Loy reprising their characters; the second season premiere of The Thin Man TV series starring Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk (25:48); and the film's Theatrical Trailer (3:18).
• After the Thin Man includes the Robert Benchley short How to Be a Detective (8:49); the 1936 Happy Harmonies cartoon short The Early Bird and the Worm (9:14); the June 17, 1940 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast adaptation of the film with Powell and Loy (audio only, 59:35); Leo is On the Air, a very condensed radio adaptation of the film with Powell and Loy (audio only, 14:27); and the film's Theatrical Trailer (2:54).
• Another Thin Man includes the musical short Love on Tap (10:47); the cartoon short The Bookworm (8:24); and the Theatrical Trailer (2:36).
• Shadow of the Thin Man includes the 1941 short film The Tell-Tale Heart (1945), adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe story; the 1941 cartoon short The Goose Goes South (6:12); and the Theatrical Trailer (2:59).
• The Thin Man Goes Home includes the Robert Benchley short Why Daddy? (9:24); the cartoon short Screwball Squirrel (7:25); and the Theatrical Trailer (2:11).
• Song of the Thin Man includes the Passing Parade short A Really Important Person (10:50), which also features young Dean Stockwell; the cartoon short Slap Happy Lion (7:26); and the Theatrical Trailer (3:07).

Note that many of the extras are in standard definition, and none of the trailers seem to have undergone any restoration process. They still give some added value to the collection.

OVERVIEW

Song of the Thin Man © MGM

Any lover of classic 1930s and 1940s films, especially witty and urbane murder mysteries with sparkling dialogue and characters, should be extremely happy with Warner Archive's presentation of the Thin Man movies. Each was shown equal amounts of love in their restorations and presentation, and each has its own charm even as the series begins to wane. If you have the individual Blu-ray, there's no need to upgrade (unless you want to save shelf space with all six films now housed in one case), but if you're a true classic movie fan or are curious about these films, this collection is a must-have for your library.

Warner Archive generously provided Hotchka with the Blu-ray for reviewing purposes.

The Thin Man runs 91 minutes. After the Thin Man runs 112 minutes. Another Thin Man runs 103 minutes. Shadow of the Thin Man runs 97 minutes. The Thin Man Goes Home runs 101 minutes. Song of the Thin Man runs 87 minutes. All of the films are not rated.