Today’s quick review: Song of the Thin Man. Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) Charles end up in the middle of another murder mystery when the conductor of the jazz band on a gambling boat is shot. Suspicion falls on Phil Brant (Bruce Cowling), a friend of Nick and Nora, but he’s not the only one with a motive. To solve the crime, Nick must conduct his own investigation and beat the police, vengeful bookies, and the real murderer to the punch.
Song of the Thin Man is a crime comedy as well as the sixth and last entry into the Thin Man series. Song of the Thin Man puts a more dramatic spin on the usual Thin Man formula of wisecracks and light mystery. The film dives into the mystery early and doesn’t let up until Nick has untangled every knot in the case. However, shaky fundamentals and muted comedy make Song of the Thin Man a somewhat weaker, though still entertaining, finale to the series.
Song of the Thin Man injects more drama into its mystery than before. Nick operates independently from the police, the details of the case are darker, and the outcome is less certain. The drama is effective enough, and ignoring a few minor flaws, the mystery is well-constructed. But the perilous tone puts a damper on the humor, and restrained performances from William Powell and Myrna Loy keep the film from sparkling like the series at its best.
Still, Song of the Thin Man has enough going for it to make for a fun watch. The mystery is solid, the dialogue is clever, and the film is headlined by two capable actors. Fans of classic comedies will enjoy Song of the Thin Man almost as much as the other Thin Man movies, while noir aficionados may appreciate it as an unusually light entry into the genre. For more like it, check out the other five films in the series.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good mystery, a dash of comedy, and mixed execution.