Starring William Powell, Carole Lombard, Wynne Gibson, Lawrence Gray, Guy Kibbee
Directed by Richard Wallace
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
An American con man in Paris, who extorts money from tourists to keep their names out of the scandal sheet he publishes, reconsiders his life when he falls for a beautiful young woman.
This romantic drama starring Powell and Lombard was released the year they were married, per Wikipedia, and although their union was a short one, the two have nice chemistry on screen. A sequence in which Powell's character, Michael Trevor, indirectly confesses his love for Lombard's, Mary Kendall, to her by describing it as a novel he's working on is charming and heartfelt. Powell rolls his lines off his tongue with a glibness and confidence that shows why he was such a bankable star, and Lombard shows off her vivacious appeal well. Although the two never have a romantic clinch, their dialogue and rapport with each other is what sells the film, and Trevor's fear of his criminal past spoiling their future together makes the film a very bittersweet tale with an ending you wouldn't expect out of classic Hollywood. It's a quality film that definitely held my interest.
Showing posts with label William Powell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label William Powell. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Another Thin Man (1939)
Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Virginia Grey, Otto Kruger, C. Aubrey Smith
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke II
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Nick and Nora look into the threats made to the executor of her father's estate by a man he was responsible for sending to prison, but find their investigation may soon put them into danger as well.
The third film in the popular Thin Man series, again features a story by crime novelist Dashiell Hammett and returns most of the principals in front of and behind the camera from the previous pictures. The comedy isn't quite as fresh this time around, but the mystery story is another taut winner, and the writers try to shake up the formula by adding a child for the Charles', although it doesn't keep Nick from his usual favoring of the grape. It's an enjoyable picture and fans of the first two Thin Man movies will find much to like here, but it doesn't outdo the initial picture in the series.
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke II
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Nick and Nora look into the threats made to the executor of her father's estate by a man he was responsible for sending to prison, but find their investigation may soon put them into danger as well.
The third film in the popular Thin Man series, again features a story by crime novelist Dashiell Hammett and returns most of the principals in front of and behind the camera from the previous pictures. The comedy isn't quite as fresh this time around, but the mystery story is another taut winner, and the writers try to shake up the formula by adding a child for the Charles', although it doesn't keep Nick from his usual favoring of the grape. It's an enjoyable picture and fans of the first two Thin Man movies will find much to like here, but it doesn't outdo the initial picture in the series.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
The Thin Man (1934)
Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, Nat Pendleton, Minna Gombell
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Retired detective Nick Charles is convinced by his wife Nora to help a young woman whose father has disappeared after the murder of his mistress.
MGM delivers a classic mystery with many laughs courtesy of the charming team of Powell and Loy, whose dialogue throughout the picture is sparkling and a lot of fun. Based on a story by Maltese Falcon author Dashiell Hammett, the mystery is a good one but secondary to the comic scenes involving the leads and their terrier Asta. It's interesting to see Pendleton, nearly always cast as a dimwitted but lovable type, playing it straight as the police lieutenant on the case, and there's many solid character turns by actors like Edward Ellis, Cesar Romero, and Edward Brophy. It's a credit to their performances and that of the rest of the cast that when Powell invites all the suspects to a dinner so he can expose the murderer that we know everyone around the table without confusion. Followed by five sequels, the popularity of the film is a testament to the chemistry between the stars.
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Retired detective Nick Charles is convinced by his wife Nora to help a young woman whose father has disappeared after the murder of his mistress.
MGM delivers a classic mystery with many laughs courtesy of the charming team of Powell and Loy, whose dialogue throughout the picture is sparkling and a lot of fun. Based on a story by Maltese Falcon author Dashiell Hammett, the mystery is a good one but secondary to the comic scenes involving the leads and their terrier Asta. It's interesting to see Pendleton, nearly always cast as a dimwitted but lovable type, playing it straight as the police lieutenant on the case, and there's many solid character turns by actors like Edward Ellis, Cesar Romero, and Edward Brophy. It's a credit to their performances and that of the rest of the cast that when Powell invites all the suspects to a dinner so he can expose the murderer that we know everyone around the table without confusion. Followed by five sequels, the popularity of the film is a testament to the chemistry between the stars.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
After The Thin Man (1936)
Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, James Stewart, Elissa Landi, Joseph Calleia
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
On their return home to San Franciso, Nick and Nora Charles are drawn into a new mystery involving the disappearance of her sister's husband, which soon leads to murder.
The first of many sequels to the classic mystery-comedy The Thin Man, the film reunites Powell and Loy as the husband and wife detective team in a new story crafted by Nick and Nora's creator Dashiell Hammett. I didn't find it quite as funny as its predecessor, but it's certainly enjoyable, and is notable for the inclusion of Jimmy Stewart a few years before becoming a major star. You'll have to stay alert to catch all the twists and turns within the mystery, but the interplay between Powell and Loy was the highlight of all of these films and they're in fine form here once again.
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
On their return home to San Franciso, Nick and Nora Charles are drawn into a new mystery involving the disappearance of her sister's husband, which soon leads to murder.
The first of many sequels to the classic mystery-comedy The Thin Man, the film reunites Powell and Loy as the husband and wife detective team in a new story crafted by Nick and Nora's creator Dashiell Hammett. I didn't find it quite as funny as its predecessor, but it's certainly enjoyable, and is notable for the inclusion of Jimmy Stewart a few years before becoming a major star. You'll have to stay alert to catch all the twists and turns within the mystery, but the interplay between Powell and Loy was the highlight of all of these films and they're in fine form here once again.
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