Song of the Thin Man

Released Aug 28, 1947

1 hr. 26 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

91%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Tommy Drake (Philip Reed), a musician aboard a gambling ship, is shot and killed while trying to break into a safe. Later, amateur sleuths Nick (William Powell) and Norah (Myrna Loy) receive a visit from Phil Brant, Drake's former boss and the the main suspect in his murder. After they give Brant up to the authorities, they start digging around for clues. The pair question Brant's wife and one of Drake's musician colleagues until they start to piece together the intricate puzzle.

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matthew d

A fabulous farewell to cinema's fondest married sleuths! Director Edward Buzzell's romantic-comedy mystery Song of the Thin Man (1947) is a fun, jazz filled finale to The Thin Man movie series. We are treated to numerous lively jazz sessions as William Powell and Myrna Loy's lovable husband and wife heroes Nick and Nora sleuth their way into shocking twists and shady dealings for their final detective story. I found Song of the Thin Man to be a wonderful and sweet sendoff for the cutest movie couple. I'm impressed by Edward Buzzell's shadowy film noir direction that feels serious and moody. He enlists in his mighty ensemble cast legendary film noir femme fatales Gloria Grahame (The Big Heat) and Patricia Morison (Dressed to Kill), who dazzle as much as I'd hoped! Writers Steve Fisher, Nat Perrin, and Stanley Roberts came up with a riot of a story as Nick and Nora have to hilariously figure out jazz lingo and secret dealings of adultery and gambling alike. I liked how the mystery is played seriously with plenty of clues so that you can actually figure it out as the audience before Nick or Nora puzzle all the pieces together. I like the attention put on Nick Jr. and Asta as much as Nick and Nora for this is the end after all. I'm sad to see Nick and Nora go, but they had six excellent films in my opinion. Editor Gene Ruggiero cuts Song of the Thin Man down to only 86 quick minutes. It feels fast and pleasantly short without ever dragging on or feeling hollow. There's plenty of romance drama and comedy with the main couple, who get to develop into caring parents. Charles Rosher's cinematography uses lovely shadowplay to entice you like his unique framing of certain characters moving towards the screen with a floating feeling to his panning shots. I liked the dreamy film noir look of Song of the Thin Man. William Powell plays up Nick Charles' incredibly clever mind and insatiable need for alcohol. Besides his flirty nature and teasing attitude towards his loving wife. He's a charming and funny hero as Nick. Powell really leans into his nonchalant portrayal of Nick that never fails. Myrna Loy is stunning once again and hilarious as Nick's eager to please wife Nora, whose insistence on tagging along for the mystery adventure is delightful. Loy looks like she's having a ball and teases Powell as much as he teases her. They are the ideal film movie couple. They're really both the detectives with their own styles and clue finding methods. Loy getting sleepy is so cute! Keenan Wynn is crazy as an upbeat jazz player called Clinker. Dean Stockwell is quite fun as the precocious son Nick Jr. in an early child actor career appearance. Phillip Reed is good as the nervous Tommy Drake. Patricia Morison is phenomenal and gorgeous as the limelight loving Phyllis Talbin with her own plan. You only get Morison after Dressed to Kill to play a real heel and her finale scene is pure femme fatale flames! Leon Ames is excellent alongside Morison as the shady promoter Mitchell Talbin. Gloria Grahame sings beautifully and hypnotizes you with her ethereal visage as Fran Page. Jayne Meadows is nice and sympathetic as the intriguing Janet Thayer. Each woman has something to hide and they all play their supporting role brilliantly! Asta Jr. is adorable and playful as Nick and Nora Charles' faithful terrier Asta. Cedric Gibbons and Randall Duell lean into shadowy corridors and nights for their beautiful art direction on Song of the Thin Man. I liked Edwin B. Willis' jazz club furnishings for his set decoration besides all the expensive looking manor homes apartments. Composer David Snell plays around with energetic jazz tunes and dazzling symphonic pieces for real drama and energy. Costume designer Irene make-up artist Jack Dawn made Myrna Loy, Gloria Grahame, Patricia Morison, and Jayne Meadows as breathtaking to see as any great Golden Age of Hollywood starlet. In all, what a sweet, funny, and exciting end for Nick and Nora!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nick and Nora are aboard the gambling ship S. S. Fortune as part of a charity shindig, which features a show of jazz musicians. Tommy Drake is one musician who is ready to leave his employer at the ship to take a more lucrative tour-but the problem is that he also owes money to a group of gangsters aboard that ship, who give him until closing time to pay the money back. Begging a businessman for money, he is turned down-and is shot dead when he tries to get money out of a safe. Also, a rich man's daughter is eloping with one of the other musicians, to the father's disapproval. The newly-married couple arrive the next day at Nick and Nora's home, as the husband, who fought with the now-murdered musician, is being sought by the police. Nick and Nora deliberately turn him in, though they believe him innocent, for his own safety, and investigate who the real murderer might be. It seems that Tommy Drake had quite a few other enemies... This is the last movie in the Powell/Loy series; a lot of water had passed under the bridge and Powell was getting old for the part. There was also the joke about the couple's boy Nicky being older and somewhat naughtier now, as well as the idea of the couple being hopelessly square compared to all the hipster jazz musicians and their hipster slang. The story is convoluted too, and you don't get enough clues until the end. Worst is the idea of a jazz musician going insane and somehow being brought to normal for the final "gathering" scene on the reopened gambling ship. Not all that bad, but it is just as well they stopped the series at this point.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

deke p

I still love this series, Powell & MYRNA LOY! Hard to believe I've lived so long and not seen any, or all of this series til now, when available on THE MOVIE CHANNEL on free broadcast tv. Until the last year I didn't really know Myrna except by name. Now I love her, but she was great even just before I was born.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Frances H

This duo are terrific and full of delightful wit!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Probably the weakest for this fun series but watch out for young Dean Stockwell and Asta for good comic relief.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is the last film in the "Thin man" series which makes sense as they were getting progressively weaker. That being said, there are still moments in the film and Powell and Loy are always a treat to watch. It was the right time to end it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Edward Buzzell

Director

William Powell

Nick Charles

Myrna Loy

Nora Charles

Keenan Wynn

Clarence "Clinker" Krause

Dean Stockwell

Nick Charles Jr.

Philip Reed

Tommy Edlon Drake

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Jun 20, 2003

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Last but not least of the mystery-comedy series, Song of the Thin Man from 1947 belongs among best of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's six-film franchise

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 15, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This shaky swan song only rates as highly as it does because of the two stars, who are as delightful as ever.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 29, 2022

Full Review

Chris Barsanti

Filmcritic.com

It wouldn't be Hollywood if they didn't wring too much out of a good idea

Rated: 2/5

Aug 14, 2005

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Although the ending of Song of the Thin Man leaves a lot to be desired, including the compulsory confession, everything leading up to it works pretty well.

Rated: 7/10

Jul 26, 2005

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The great chemistry between Powell and Loy is still there and their charm carries things a long way.

Rated: B

Jun 27, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Tommy Drake (Philip Reed), a musician aboard a gambling ship, is shot and killed while trying to break into a safe. Later, amateur sleuths Nick (William Powell) and Norah (Myrna Loy) receive a visit from Phil Brant, Drake's former boss and the the main suspect in his murder. After they give Brant up to the authorities, they start digging around for clues. The pair question Brant's wife and one of Drake's musician colleagues until they start to piece together the intricate puzzle.

Director: Edward Buzzell
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 1947, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012

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