Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)

Directed by W. S. Van Dyke. Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Barry Nelson, Sam Levene, Donna Reed, Alan Baxter, Henry O’Neill, Stella Adler, Loring Smith, Louise Beavers, Joseph Anthony.

And a shadow of its former self, to boot. Fourth in the Thin Man series; Nick gets embroiled in another complex murder saga, given some semblance of spice with racetrack and wrestling ring locations, but it’s not an especially involving mystery, and is just as mild on the laughter side. A suppressed presentation of chemistry between the leads—Powell can do this kind of thing in his sleep, and Loy gets almost nothing to do—but at least their kid is relegated to little more than a walk-on. A few vivid character turns from the supporting cast keep it tolerable (including a rare onscreen appearance from future acting-teacher Adler as a floozy), and there are a few opportunities to spy familiar faces in bit parts—Roger Moore, Tor Johnson, Ray Teal, even Ava Gardner. But otherwise, it’s just for the fans who have an hour-and-a-half to kill. The formula finale underwhelms through its clumsy staging and anti-climactic reveals. Bears no relation to a Dashiell Hammett story besides the main characters. Followed by The Thin Man Goes Home.

53/100