Song Of The Thin Man (1947)

Song Of The Thin Man - 1947

Our next film comes in the form of 1947's "Song Of The Thin Man", the final installment in the Nick and Nora Charles murder/mystery series.  When a man is killed on board a ship during a charity event, it's up to Nick Charles to ferret out the murderer and solve the crime.

The film's cast includes William Powell, Myrna Loy, Keenan Wynn, Dean Stockwell, Philip Reed, Patricia Morison, Leon Ames, Gloria Grahame, Jayne Meadows, Ralph Morgan, Bess Flowers, Don Taylor, Bruce Cowling, William Bishop, Marie Windsor, and Asta Jr.

Nick and Nora Charles are attending a charity event on board a gambling ship.  Nick wants to cut out early, which surprises Nora, who thinks he's slipping.  "Darling, give me my pipe, my slippers, and a beautiful woman...and you can have my pipe and slippers," he tells her.  "That's sweet," she replies sarcastically.

Once Nick and Nora are gone, things start to heat up.  Jazz band leader Tommy Drake is murdered aboard the ship, and the assailant is at large.

Oblivious to all of this, however, are Nick and Nora, who are trying to induce their son to practice the piano instead of baseball.

When he defies them, Nick Jr. is told that he must be punished.  Nick tells his son that he's sorry he has to induce this "corrective action".  Nick can't seem to bring himself to punish his son, remembering all the good times they had together when the boy was little.

Asta just watches, wondering what in the world is going on with Nick and Nora as they debate the merits of punishment.

When the two people accused of Tommy Drake's murder arrive at the Charles apartment and tell them what is going on, Nick is enlisted to help solve the case.

He's doubly intent on finding the murderer when a shot rings out from the hallway and shatters a bottle of his beloved liquor.

Nick takes Asta for some investigating at Tommy Drake's rooms on board the ship.  Initially, Asta finds someone hiding behind the curtains, but when things get a little dicey, Asta himself dives behind the curtains for protection.

Nick enlists the help of "Clinker", a musician who played in Tommy's band.  Clinker drags Nick and Nora from one jazz spot to the next looking for clues and interview subjects.  "Dig that music," says Clinker.  "It sends me out of this world!"  Nick just rolls his eyes and says, "Should've sent you a little sooner."

The list of suspects includes Tommy's girlfriend Fran, who is intent on selling some information she has.

The people accused of the murder in the papers are newlyweds Janet and Phil.  Janet is a wealthy socialite, and Phil is the owner of the gambling ship.  Phil is suspected because Tommy informed him that he would no longer be working for him.  Tommy made Phil a lot of money and wasn't pleased about that.

Janet's wealthy father David is also involved, especially as one of his guns is missing.  David protests that he was intent on scaring his son-in-law out of marrying his daughter.

Another musician in Tommy's band is Buddy Hollis, who also seems to know something about the murder.  He's committed to a mental hospital and he's not telling anything.

The Talbins (Phyllis and Mitchell) are also involved.  Tommy was supposed to leave Phil's gambling ship to work with Mitchell.

Also included in the list of suspects are the Amboys (Al and Helen).  Al is a gangster, and Tommy owed him a lot of money.

On top of a lengthy list of suspects, an expensive diamond necklace is also key to the case.

Trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, Nick, Nora, Clinker, and Asta sit down at a local restaurant and have a good think.

Of course, as he always does, Nick gets all of the suspects to return to the scene of the crime in hopes that one of them will make a mistake and reveal themselves as the killer.  "If the party gets rough, duck," he warns Nora.  "I'm practically under the table now, but not in the way I like to be," she responds.

After successfully revealing the murderer, Nick and Nora head home in time to tuck Nick Jr. and Asta in bed before they retire themselves.

Cast rundown:

   William Powell...........................Nick Charles

   Myrna Loy.................................Nora Charles

   Keenan Wynn............................Clarence "Clinker" Krause

   Dean Stockwell..........................Nick Charles Jr.

   Phillip Reed...............................Tommy Eldon Drake

   Patricia Morison.........................Phyllis Talbin

   Leon Ames................................Mitchell Talbin

   Gloria Grahame.........................Fran Ledue Page

   Jayne Meadows..........................Janet Thayer

   Ralph Morgan............................David I. Thayer

   Bess Flowers..............................Jessica Thayer

   Don Taylor.................................Buddy Hollis

   Bruce Cowling............................Phil Orval Brant

   William Bishop...........................Al Amboy

   Marie Windsor............................Helen Amboy

   Asta Jr.......................................Asta

And that's all for Song Of The Thin Man.  This was the last film that Myrna Loy made for MGM Studios.  In her autobiography, Loy states that the movie was "a lackluster finish to a great series."  She also mentioned that she hated it.  Asta's son, Asta Jr., takes over the role of the beloved hound from his father, who by this time was in retirement.

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