Classic Movies — The Thin Man by Hannah Howe

Classic Movies — The Thin Man

by Hannah Howe

The Thin Man

Released in 1934, The Thin Man was based on a Dashiell Hammett novel. The movie, a comedymystery, starred William Powell and Myrna Loy. Made pre-code, some of the scenes and banter would have fallen foul of the censor in later decades.

The main highlight of The Thin Man - forget the plot, this is a banter movie - was the natural interaction between William Powell and Myrna Loy. Scenes were often ad-libbed and shot in one take, which added to the belief that Powell and Loy were a real couple, deeply in love. Of Myrna Loy, William Powell said, “When we did a scene together, we forgot about technique, camera angles, and microphones. We weren't acting. We were just two people in perfect harmony. Myrna, unlike some actresses who think only of themselves, has the happy faculty of being able to listen while the other fellow says his lines. She has the give and takes of acting that brings out the best.”

Classic Actor: Sidney Poitier (1927 – 2022) Must-see movie: In the Heat of the Night, 1967, a mystery-drama. Poitier played Virgil Tibbs, a detective from Philadelphia drawn into a murder investigation in a small town in Mississippi. At the 40th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for seven Oscars, winning five. The person: twice married, Sidney Poitier fathered six daughters. In April 1997, he was appointed ambassador from the Bahamas to Japan, a position he held until 2007. From 2002 to 2007, he was also the Bahaman ambassador to UNESCO.

Quote: “If the fabric of the society were different, I would scream to high heaven to play villains and to deal with different images of Negro life that would be more dimensional. But I'll be damned if I do that at this stage of the game (1967).” Classic Actress: Tippi Hedren (1930 - ) Must-see movie: Marnie, a 1964 psychological thriller, also starring Sean Connery, based on a novel by Winston Graham (although the endings vary considerably). The person: Tippi Hedren has a strong commitment to animal rescue, which began in 1969 while she was shooting two films in Africa. She has also set up relief programs worldwide following earthquakes, hurricanes, famine and war. Quote: “I consider my acting, while not necessarily being method acting, but one that draws upon my own feelings. I thought Marnie was an extremely interesting role to play and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Hannah Howe is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann's War Mystery Series and the #1 international bestseller Saving Grace. Hannah's books are published by Goylake Publishing and distributed through Gardners Books to over 300 outlets worldwide. Her books are available in print, as eBooks and audiobooks, and are being translated into ten languages. Discover more on Mom's Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/hannah-howe