How a simple mustache detail unmasked a killer in this classic 1936 mystery
In short: In the 1936 sequel After the Thin Man, Nick and Nora Charles return to San Francisco to solve a tangled web of blackmail and murder. When a suspect’s testimony about a janitor’s appearance contradicts a photograph, the entire case unravels, revealing a calculated plot of revenge and framing.
Directed by W. S. Van Dyke, After the Thin Man serves as the second installment in a six-film series featuring Dashiell Hammett’s iconic detective couple, Nick and Nora Charles. While the film is based on Hammett’s characters, the screenplay by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich was an original creation rather than an adaptation of a specific novel. The story begins when Nora’s cousin, Selma Landis, seeks help finding her missing husband, Robert. What starts as a domestic disappearance quickly escalates into a complex murder investigation after Robert is gunned down in the fog outside the Forrest mansion.
The investigation centers on a series of deceptions, including forged checks and a mysterious nightclub performer named Polly. Lieutenant Abrams initially suspects Selma, whose fragile mental state and proximity to the crime scene make her an easy target. However, Nick Charles eventually uncovers that the true culprit is David Graham, Selma’s former fiancé. David had been eavesdropping on Polly’s apartment from a unit he rented upstairs, using a makeshift ladder to move between floors. His undoing comes when he claims to have seen the building’s janitor, Pedro, six years prior, forgetting that a photograph from that time shows Pedro with a completely different mustache.
The film’s success was significant, grossing over $3.1 million globally and earning an Oscar nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay in 1937. Beyond its commercial performance, the movie left a lasting cultural footprint, including a 1940 radio adaptation on Lux Radio Theatre featuring the original stars, William Powell and Myrna Loy. Today, it remains highly regarded by critics, holding a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The narrative concludes on a lighter note, as Nick discovers that Nora is pregnant, marking a new chapter for the couple as they depart San Francisco by train.
The resolution of the mystery highlights the meticulous nature of the detective genre during this era. David’s motive was rooted in deep-seated resentment toward Selma for leaving him, leading him to orchestrate a frame-up that nearly succeeded. The intervention of Lum Kee, a nightclub owner, ultimately prevents David from causing further harm. This blend of sharp dialogue, intricate plotting, and character-driven stakes solidified the film's place in cinema history, ensuring its legacy continued through home media releases like the 2021 Blu-ray edition.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: After the Thin Man
- Also: Wikidata — After the Thin Man · CC0
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