Six films in 14 years as Nick and Nora Charles. Most real life Hollywood marriages don’t last that long
I hope you don’t mind if I share some of my Christmas-themed viewing with you. Last week it was The Avengers episode, Too Many Christmas Trees.
Best known as a murder mystery – penned by Dashiell Hammet, no less – The Thin Man is one of my favourite Christmas movies for two reasons: Nick and Nora Charles.
He is a famous private eye who has married up – to a socialite and has happily given up his ‘gum shoe’ profession to live as a wealthy bon vivante.
Nora Charles: How many drinks have you had?
Nick Charles: This will make six Martinis.
Nora Charles: [to the waiter] All right. Will you bring me five more Martinis, Leo? Line them right up here.
Very funny Nicky
However his past in the form of an old case catches up with him. Nick is asked by the daughter of a wealthy inventor to find her father before her Christmas wedding.
Nick is reluctant but Nora is not – egging him on every step of the way:
Nora Charles: You know, that sounds like an interesting case. Why don’t you take it?
Nick Charles: I haven’t the time. I’m much too busy seeing that you don’t lose any of the money I married you for.
The mystery is first rate and so is the dialogue and the romance between our married hero and heroine. The sequel, After The Thin Man is set at New Year’s Eve – so you’ll know what we’ll be watching this year!
I’ll leave you with my favourite exchange from The Thin Man:
Nick Charles: I’m a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune.
Nora Charles: I read where you were shot 5 times in the tabloids.
Nick Charles: It’s not true. He didn’t come anywhere near my tabloids.