Some critics describe this entry as a "mild Nick Charles mystery", but I disagree. Some say, "The solution is obvious, despite a commendably large array of suspects." Others complain that "there's very little action and the comic relief is mostly of an elemental variety." And many single out Richard Thorpe's direction as "efficient" or "lackluster" or even "totally undistinguished." I will agree that "Miss Loy is saddled with some out-of-date costumes." But that's what they wore in late 1944! In my opinion, the above reviews come down far too harshly on this entry. I found it quite entertaining. Not only were Powell and Loy in wonderfully bantering form, but Richard Thorpe's fluid, pacey direction kept the movie firmly on a par with the previous efforts of W.S. Van Dyke. Furthermore, the support cast is an absolute wow! A movie-lover's roster of favorite cameo players constantly flit before our eyes: Anne Revere, Donald Meek, Anita Bolster, Lloyd Corrigan, Edward S. Brophy, Donald MacBride and at least twenty others! Even more importantly, the screenplay, co-written by Robert Riskin who authored such marvelous Frank Capra films as Platinum Blonde, It Happened One Night, Mr Deeds Goes To Town, Lost Horizon and Meet John Doe, sparkles with dialogue and situations every bit as amusing, suspenseful and character-rich. And I couldn't pick the killer either—even though all the clues were fairly laid down right before my eyes. Production values and technical credits are also right up to the lavish and glossy standards I always expect from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The photography by Karl Freund deserves particular mention for its atmospheric lighting and dramatic compositions.
Review of The Thin Man Goes Home
