the thin man
High Contrast Cinema launch their Screwball Comedy Season with the 92 year-old classic, The Thin Man.
Based on Dashiell Hammett's novel, it stars the incomparably delightful pairing of William Powell and Myrna Loy as a couple who enjoy a spot of detective work between their leisurely drinking.
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, it was such a success that it spawned five enjoyable sequels, although the original remains the best of the bunch.
It also marked the first credited role for Wire Fox Terrier Skippy, playing Asta, making him a star in his own right - as well as three Thin Man sequels, he also starred opposite Cary Grant in The Awful Truth and Bringing Up Baby
William Powell
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy
William Powell
William Horatio Powell (1892–1984) was an American actor celebrated for his sophisticated screen presence and effortless charm. Born in Pittsburgh and later raised in Kansas City, he trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before beginning his career on stage and in silent films, where his resonant voice and refined demeanor helped him transition smoothly into talkies.
Powell rose to fame in the 1930s, becoming best known for playing witty detective Nick Charles in The Thin Man series, a role that earned him his first Academy Award nomination. His partnership with Myrna Loy—spanning 14 films—became one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen pairings, showcasing his impeccable comedic timing and urbane style.
Throughout his career, Powell earned three Oscar nominations for The Thin Man (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), and Life with Father (1947). After a final film appearance in Mister Roberts (1955), he retired to a quiet life in Palm Springs. He passed away in 1984 aged 91 and is remembered as one of classic Hollywood’s defining gentlemen, admired for his elegance, versatility, and enduring screen charisma.
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy, born Myrna Adele Williams in Helena, Montana, rose from small‑town beginnings to become one of Hollywood’s most enduring figures.
After spending her early years on a ranch near Radersburg, she moved to California as a teenager, where dance training and stage work opened the door to film. Early roles in the silent era often cast her as an exotic or mysterious presence, a typecasting that only shifted once sound revealed her natural warmth and sharp comedic instincts.
Her breakthrough arrived with The Thin Man (1934), where her effortless rapport with William Powell made Nora Charles an icon of sophisticated wit. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, she became known for intelligence, timing, and a grounded elegance that set her apart. She moved easily between comedy, drama, and mystery, earning a reputation as one of the screen’s most versatile performers.
Off‑screen, Loy was deeply committed to public service. She worked with the Red Cross during World War II and supported many causes relating to social equality. She passed away in 1993 at the age of 88.
W. S. Van Dyke
Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke II was born on March 21, 1889, in San Diego, California. His mother, a stage actress, brought him on tour during his childhood, giving him early exposure to performance and production. Before entering film, he worked a variety of jobs and later joined D. W. Griffith as a writer and assistant director, gaining valuable experience in the emerging movie industry.
Van Dyke became known as “One-Take Woody” for his fast, economical directing style. Over a 25‑year career, he directed more than 90 films across genres, including Tarzan the Ape Man (1932), The Thin Man (1934), and San Francisco (1936). His work earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Director, and he guided several actors to Oscar‑nominated performances.
Van Dyke’s efficiency helped studios save time and money while still producing memorable, influential films. A devout Christian Scientist, he refused treatment for cancer and died by suicide following the release of his final film, Journey for Margaret (1942), aged 53.