The Thin Man Goes Home

"You're driving me crazy. This case is serious and all you do is fuddle around and guzzle cider."
"I'll switch to prune juice."

Nick (Powell) and Nora (Loy) travel to the town of Sycamore Springs to visit Nick's parents: Dr. (Davenport) and Mrs. (Watson) Charles.  Nick has given up alcohol and is planning to enjoy a relaxing trip, but Nora is not convinced.  Everyone in town thinks Nick is on a case, even though he denies it.  Peter Berton (Brooks) visits the Charles home to speak to Nick, but is shot on the front porch.

Nick says he doesn't want to interfere in the case, led by Police Chief MacGregor (MacBride), but he secretly begins investigating.  Nora thinks he should take the case to impress his father.  As they begin looking into the murder, the number of suspects grows: there is dramatic Laurabelle (DeHaven) who was Peter's only friend, her tycoon father Sam (Minor Watson), Laurabelle's jealous boyfriend Tom (Paul Langton), Helena Draque (Vinson) who collects Peter's paintings, Helena's her anxious husband Edgar (Ames), the town recluse Crazy Mary (Revere), and Peter's boss Willoughby (Morris Ankrum).  Can Nick solve the case and impress his father?


This is the fifth film (of 6) in the Thin Man series (following The Thin Man, After the Thin Man, Another Thin Man, and Shadow of the Thin Man).  This film takes Nick and Nora out of the city and into Nick's childhood home.  Unlike the other films in the series, Nick does not drink any alcohol.  Nick and Nora's son does not appear in this film, but he is mentioned.

William Powell and Myrna Loy still have excellent chemistry (they made 14 films together).  The characters a little older, but still up to their usual actions.  They are joined by a new group of actors / characters.  Edward Brophy appeared in the original Thin Man film, but plays a different character here.  Harry Davenport and Lucile Watson are great as Nick's parents and have a natural relationship with each other and Powell's Nick.

The story is interesting and keeps you guessing.  And like it's predecessors, it ends with Nick calling everyone together to reveal the murderer.  I prefer some of the previous films, but it was an entertaining film.

This was the first entry in the series that was not directed by W.S. Van Dyke (he died in 1943).  Richard Thorpe took over directing duties on this film, but did not return for the 6th film.

The Thin Man Goes Home (1945) 100 minutes
Director: Richard Thorpe
Starring: William Powell as Nick Charles
Myrna Loy as Nora Charles
Lucile Watson as Mrs. Charles
Gloria DeHaven as Laurabelle Ronson
Anne Revere as Crazy Mary
Helen Vinson as Helena Draque
Harry Davenport as Dr. Bertram Charles
Leon Ames as Edgar Draque
Donald Meek as Willie Crump
Edward Brophy as Brogan
Lloyd Corrigan as Dr. Bruce Clayworth
Anita Sharp-Bolster as Hilda
Ralph Brooks as Peter Berton
Donald MacBride as Police Chief MacGregor