The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett (1933). Another volume of Hammett -- this was his big pop hit, and unfortunately seems to have stymied his art. It was pretty much the end of the line. Much more light-hearted than his earlier works, The Thin Man is the story of Nick and Nora Charles, a wealthy and charmingly tipsy couple on holiday in NYC. A murder occurs, and ex-detective Nick has the case uninvitedly dropped into his lap. It's a good story, told with sophisticated wit, but the hard edge of Hammett's earlier work is not there. Which is probably why it was a hit. Great entertainment, though. I also re-watched the 1934 movie version, and while William Powell and Myrna Loy are charming (and I can see how it set off that whole series of movies), wow, did the plot ever get scrambled up (and the remaining edge buffed away). Well, whattaya expect?
Posted by M.Ace at 03:02 PM, February 03, 2005.