I've read comments from other reviewers that as the Thin Man series went on, the quality of the movies went down hill. Well you can't really tell by this, the fifth film in the line up, as this one had me fully engaged right from the start. Asta has a fair share of quality time, Myrna Loy adds a layer of 'I Love Lucy' to her character Nora Charles, and lo and behold, Nick (William Powell) runs the entire show on apple cider instead of booze. The venue is also a nice change of pace, as the Charles's head over to Nick's home town in Sycamore Springs for a restful vacation.As usual, there are a whole host of interesting characters on hand, as the inevitable happens and Nick is drawn into a murder case when someone is actually shot on the doorstep of his parents' home! Never before has wife Nora been so animated in her desire to have Nick get involved in a case, as this time it would demonstrate how clever he is to a father who had become disillusioned over his son's choice of profession. But you know, I didn't think it was very admirable the way Nick took his wife over a knee for that spanking - ouch! Can you just hear the wailing of the war on women folks if this was made today?! Here's a question - what's the shortest amount of screen time on record for a character in a movie? Holy smokes, Ralph Brooke, the actor who portrayed Peter Berton might have been visible for about a minute before he got shot! I fully expected that the actor remained uncredited but he's right there in the cast line up. I hope he fared better in his other movie appearances.Here's what I have to admit though. Whenever Nick Charles goes into one of his illuminating explanations revealing the identity of the killer, I just about completely zone out. I suppose I could back track and try to follow the details here but ultimately it doesn't make too much difference. At least this one had that neat back story with the tampered paintings and the espionage angle going for it. What I was really hoping for though was for Asta to come along and take a whizz on the collie in the windmill painting.

A unique and creative plot, and sans baby, this installment feels more like the first two than even Shadow did.Nick and Nora have grown entirely comfortable with one another, and while the comfort zone herein is not quite as cute and sweet as before, it is, nonetheless adorable. Nick is again sober for this one, and Nora seems a bit concerned that Nick isn't quite himself anymore. NOT an attitude most wives would adopt. William Davenport, illustrious silent film director, contributes a stellar performance as Nick's father.And this time, it's NOT the mob, see. It's small town, small minds, and small ideas, but Nick doesn't let any of it get him down. With Nora at his side, Nick can still do anything. -LOL- Honestly, this one is my favorite of the run, and the added fact that Nick isn't drinking throughout the film makes it all that much more enjoyable for me.It rates an 8.0/10 from...the Fiend :.

Nick and Nora Charles go home to see his parents. Myrna Loy and William Powell were usually wonderful as the detective and his lovable wife. The script does them in in this film.Supported by the usually elderly looking Harry Davenport and his wife, veteran actress Lucile Watson add really nothing to the plot.Naturally, they have no vacation as they're soon thrown into investigating a murder that occurred at their parents' doorstep. We soon find an array of suspects to deal with. We have Crazy Mary who loves to knock people over the head with any object in her reach. The wonderful Anne Revere plays the part and says so little. She is dressed up as if she is Apple Annie from "Pocketful of Miracles" fame.Donald Meek, Edward Brophy, Leon Ames and a very young Gloria De Haven round out the fine cast.By the way, what was behind those paintings being sold? This is never fully explained and that might just be what's wrong with this picture.You'll laugh at the beginning when Nick and Nora are trying to move about in a very crowded corridor of the train. You will be reminded of the Marx Brothers in "Room Service." When a very fat man comes the opposite way, you will laugh heartily. Other than this, there is very little to smile to.

It's 1945, the trains are packed with people, Asta doesn't remain hidden under Nora's fur coat so Nick, Nora and Asta end up in the baggage car as they travel to Nick's home town. And Nick is drinking only cider - his father never approved of drink. Thus begins, "The Thin Man Goes Home," made as the war was ending and a lot of people whose lives had changed were thinking about going home.Nick, it turns out, has an uneasy relationship with his doctor dad because he himself never became a doctor. When the inevitable mystery arises around a murder, Nora wants Nick to solve it to impress his dad.The fact is, the scripts of "The Thin Man" series never mattered. It was always the acting and interaction of William Powell and Myrna Loy, and here, as usual, they're great - loving, flippant, and funny. Since Nick is always falling on the floor or getting hit on the head, it's hard for anyone to believe he's sober. At a charity dance, in order to do some investigating, he gives his dance tickets to a sailor and Nora becomes his partner. The dance scene is hilarious as the sailor tosses Nora all over the place and swings her around with the kind of maneuvers you see in pair figure skating.The war is still on so the story involves espionage. A very young Gloria de Haven does nicely as a self-consciously over-dramatic young woman; Harry Davenport and Lucile Watson are great as Nick's parents; and the later blacklisted Anne Revere does a fine job as Crazy Mary.William Powell could read the phone book with class and humor; Loy looks beautiful and their teamwork has never been better. Highly recommended.