Another enjoyable "Thin Man"

Nick and Nora are back, this time with a child, in this top-notch sequel. While the behavior of both Nick and Nora is slightly more reserved than in the first two entries, they still have delightful interaction with each other and with the new member of their family. Some really funny moments, such as Nora trying to identify her anonymous contact in the club - with Nick watching and Nick Jr.'s birthday party. The murder mystery pales in comparison to the first, but the performance of Powell and Loy is what really makes the series entertaining. A very worthy sequel!

Powell and Loy Effortlessly Entertain

William Powell and Myrna Loy return as Nick and Nora Charles, this time with a baby to help keep the dog company. The mystery is a rather complicated one, with the couple's quiet weekend in the country disrupted by the murder of her business manager at the hands of what appears to be a blackmailer. But things are never what they seem, and several murders later, Nick reveals all.

Powell and Loy continue to be a perfect match, with such a breezy, comfortable chemistry. They effortlessly toss off lines laced with dry humour. The supporting cast is good, featuring a funny Marjorie Main as a landlady, a slick Sheldon Leonard as the man threatening the victim, and an underused Ruth Hussey as a mysterious nanny. There are a lot of other familiar faces as well.

I found the story a bit confusing in the beginning and would have liked the "cute" scenes with the baby reduced. But the plot keeps the viewer guessing and I did enjoy Nick's wrapping up of the murders. Although not a great film, it's a very solid mystery that fans will enjoy.

Keep Asta, Lose the Baby!

In this third of the wonderful Thin Man series, Nick and Nora are joined by their baby, Nick Jr. It is totally jarring to see the sophisticated duo, Nick's cocktails et al., trying to go goo-goo at the same time. (Nick has taken to calling Nora Mommy!) But...So what. Baby or not, this movie is just a gem, and it sports one of the all-time lines, tossed off as only Myrna Loy could: When asked how their cross-country trip has been, she replies, "Nick was sober in Kansas City!"

The plot is always secondary to the incomparable byplay between Powell and Loy, but the mystery is entertaining nevertheless. Just back from their trip, Nick and Nora are urgently summoned by Colonel MacFay, who fears for his life. Gathering up Asta and baby, the couple repairs to the colonel's country estate, where the mysterious goings-on are nonstop. The plot, as they say, thickens, and indeed, a murder does occur. A very young Sheldon Leonard plays Phil Church, a small-time hood who seems to be the villain of the piece.

The baby's birthday party, while completely at odds with the normal tone of the Thin Man movies, still has its moments, as other reviewers have mentioned. The one-liners are delivered without a bat of the eye, which ultimately saves the movie from too much in the way of family values.

This is not my favorite Thin Man movie, but it remains a worthy addition to anybody's collection of vintage, "they-just-don't-make-them-like-that-anymore" films.