# The Thin Man (film)

The Thin Man is a 1934 American comedic detective film about Nick and Nora Charles, a hard-drinking and flirtatious married couple who banter wittily as they solve a murder case. It was followed by five sequels.
    Directed by W. S. Van Dyke. Written by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, based on the novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett.

## Nick Charles

* The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to foxtrot time, a Bronx to two-step time, but a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.
* [Threatened by a man with a gun] Hey, would you mind putting that gun away? My wife doesn't care, but I'm a very timid fellow... All right, shoot. I mean, uh, what's on your mind?
* The murderer is right in this room. Sitting at this table. You may serve the fish.
* Honey, it's that man again...

## Nora Charles

* Waiter, will you serve the nuts? ... I mean, will you serve the guests the nuts?
* The next person who says "Merry Christmas" to me, I'll kill 'em.
* Oh Nicky, I love you because you know such lovely people.
* [A detective searches the bedroom dresser] What's that man doing in my drawers?!

## Others

* Marion: I don't like crooks. And if I did like 'em, I wouldn't like crooks that are stool pigeons. And if I did like crooks that are stool pigeons, I still wouldn't like you!

## Dialogue

    Nick: Now how did you ever remember me?
    Dorothy: Oh, you used to fascinate me. A real live detective. You used to tell me the most wonderful stories. Were they true?
    Nick: Probably not.
    Joe: Madame, I'm afraid we shall take the dog out.
    Nick: Oh, it's all right, Joe. It's all right, it's my dog. And uh, uh my wife.
    Nora: Well, you might have mentioned me first on the billing.
    Nora: Say, how many drinks have you had?
    [Leo the waiter arrives with two martinis]
    Nick: This will make six martinis.
    Nora: All right. Would you bring me five more martinis, Leo? Line them right up here.
    Leo: Yes, ma'am.
    [Nick invites MacCaulay into their suite]
    Nick: Sit down, won't you? What are you drinking?
    MacCaulay: Oh, nothing, thanks, nothing.
    Nick: Ohh, that's a mistake.
    Nick: I'm a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune.
    Nora: I read where you were shot five times in the tabloids.
    Nick: It's not true. He didn't come anywhere near my tabloids.
    Nora: All right! Go ahead! Go on! See if I care! But I thinks it's a dirty trick to bring me all the way to New York just to make a widow of me.
    Nick: You wouldn't be a widow long...
    Nora: You bet I wouldn't!
    Nick: ...Not with all your money.
    Nick: How'd you like Grant's Tomb?
    Nora: It's lovely. I'm having a copy made for you.
    Nora: Pretty girl.
    Nick: Yes. She's a very nice type.
    Nora: You've got types?
    Nick: Only you, darling, lanky brunettes with wicked jaws.
    Nora: You know, that sounds like an interesting case. Why don't you take it?
    Nick: I haven't time. I'm much too busy seeing that you don't lose any of the money I married you for.
    Nora:Take care of yourself.
    Nick: Why, sure I will.
    Nora: Don't say it like that! Say it as if you mean it!
    Nick: Well, I do believe the little woman cares.
    Nora: I don't care! It's just that I'm used to you, that's all.
    Nora: Nick? Nicky?
    Nick: What?
    Nora: You asleep?
    Nick: Yes!
    Nora: Good. I want to talk to you.
    Nora: What hit me?
    Nick: The last martini.
    Nora: Do you want a drink?
    Nick: What do you think?
    Nora: How do you feel?
    Nick: Terrible. I must have gone to bed sober.
    Reporter: Say, listen, is he working on a case?
    Nora: Yes, he is.
    Reporter: What case?
    Nora: A case of scotch. Pitch in and help him.
    Reporter: Well, can't you tell us anything about the case?
    Nick: Yes, it's putting me way behind in my drinking.

## Cast

* William Powell - Nick Charles
* Myrna Loy - Nora Charles
* Maureen O'Sullivan - Dorothy
* Nat Pendleton - Lt. Guild
* Minna Gombell - Mimi
* Porter Hall - MacCaulay

## External links

* The Thin Man quotes at the Internet Movie Database
* The Thin Man at Rotten Tomatoes