Tonight's Movie: Song of the Thin Man (1947) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

SONG OF THE THIN MAN (1947), the sixth and final film in the beloved THIN MAN series, has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive.

It's rather a shame this was William Powell and Myrna Loy's last time to play Nick and Nora Charles, as it's one of the best films in the series' 13-year run. It has an engaging plot and a truly remarkable cast which is guaranteed to make a classic film fan smile.

Nick and Nora have been invited to a shipboard nightclub by the Thayars (Ralph Morgan and Bess Flowers, with perennial "dress extra" Flowers in a rare credited speaking role).

While they're at the event, conductor Tommy Drake (Philip Friend) and clarinetist Buddy Hollis (Don Taylor) end up brawling; they're on the outs as chanteuse Fran (Gloria Grahame) had left Buddy for Tommy, but then Tommy called it quits with Fran.

Mobster Al Amboy (William Bishop) is pressuring Tommy to repay the $12,000 he owes him. Tommy is about to embark on a concert tour arranged by Mitchell Talbin (Leon Ames) and asks Talbin to advance him the money he needs, but Talbin is strangely reticent.

However, we later notice that Talbin's younger wife Phyllis (Patricia Morison), whom he calls "Baby," is missing her expensive diamond necklace...

Meanwhile the Thayars' daughter Janet (Jayne Meadows) is about to elope with Phil (Bruce Cowling), who runs the nightclub. Her father does not approve.

Before the night is over, Tommy is murdered...and soon thereafter Fran turns up dead as well. Whodunit?

The fast-paced 86-minute mystery is the most coherent and enjoyable of the last few films in the series, and the deep, deep cast provides endless fun. There's Dean Stockwell as a very cute Nicky Jr.; Connie Gilchrist as the Charles's housekeeper; Keenan Wynn as a musician who tries to help Nick solve the case; Clinton Sundberg as a hotel clerk; Esther Howard as the counter server at a waterfront diner; and who should walk in during the final sequence, playing the mobster's wife, but the great Marie Windsor.

There are even more familiar faces sprinkled throughout, including Morris Ankrum, Tom Dugan, James Flavin, and Warner Anderson.

Edward Buzzell directed, with black and white photography by two-time Oscar winner Charles Rosher. The screenplay was by Steve Fisher and Nat Perrin, based on a story by Stanley Roberts. James O'Hanlon and Harry Crane contributed additional dialogue.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray looks and sounds terrific. Fans of the series will be very pleased with this top-notch release.

The Blu-ray carries over the extras from the original DVD: A trailer; the "Passing Parade" short A REALLY IMPORTANT PERSON (1947) with Dean Stockwell; and the Tex Avery cartoon SLAP HAPPY LION (1947).

Links to the previous Warner Archive Blu-ray reviews for this series: THE THIN MAN (1934), AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936), ANOTHER THIN MAN (1939), SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941), and THE THIN MAN GOES HOME (1944).

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from the Warner Archive Collection Amazon Store or from any online retailers where Blu-rays are sold.

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