Between 1934 and 1947, actors Wm. Powell and Myrna Loy made a total of 6 movies in which they starred as “Nick & Nora Charles,” a madcap, gin-swilling husband-and-wife team who solved murder mysteries. Originally based on crime writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 novel “The Thin Man,” the movie-going public found them so ideally paired that a huge chunk of them actually believed they were married to one another in their off-screen life. As a matter of fact, off-screen, they were just the best of friends. All in all, Myrna and Bill starred in a total of 14 films together. In this 8-week course, we will watch the first and the last pictures they made together, sandwiching all 6 “Thin Man” films in order, from “The Thin Man” (1934) to “Song of the Thin Man” (1947). All films will be shown in their entirety, to be followed by questions and Dr. Stone’s well-known “behind the silver screen tales from Hollywood and Vine.”
“Really enjoyed Kurt's vast cinematic knowledge and his openness in discussions.” – OLLI Patron
LECTURES:
1. The Thin Man (1934) Newly married Nick and Nora drink their way through a case involving the disappearance of an inventor. Costarring Maureen O’Sullivan and Cesar Romero.
2. After the Thin Man (1936) Back home in San Francisco for New Year’s, Nick and Nora (along with Asta and “Mrs.” Asta) reluctantly hunt for the murderer of Nora’s cousin’s husband. Co-starring James Stewart in his earliest films.
3. Another Thin Man (1939): Returned to New York with Asta and son Nickie, Jr., the couple seeks to find out who killed Nora’s late father’s business partner. With C. Aubrey Smith.
4. Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) While at a local race track hoping for a pleasant afternoon, a jockey is killed. Nick and Nora are enlisted to look for the murderer by their friend, police Lt. Abrams (Same Levene).
5. The Thin Man Goes Home (1945) While on a visit to Nick’s home town, the local criminals assume he’s there on a case. When a corpse shows up on Nick’s father’s doorstep, Nick Nora’s vacation turns into yet another case.
6. The Song of the Thin Man (1947): Nick and Nora are on a gambling ship where a murder occurs. 2 leading suspects come to them for help. The couple turns them over to the police and then looks for the real murderer.
7. The Senator Was Indiscreet (1948): The 14th and last Powell/Loy film. A bumbling, long-winded, crooked Southern senator, considered by some as a dark horse for the Presidency, panics his party when his tell-all diary is stolen.
Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.