The Thin Man (1934)

Tremendously popular blend of Screwball Comedy and (even today, still much too) gruesome (don't even think about what Asta smells in that cellar) Crime about a reluctant, retired detective who has married into wealth, and whose bored, thrill-seeking wife pushes him into solving one last case (or not, as it was followed but several sequels,) with the excuse that those involved are near family.

An inventor (Edward Ellis) is suspected of having committed murder, but no one seems to have seen him of late even though he was supposed to have been back from weeks long trip for his daughter’s wedding.

Messages are received from him, but no one can claim to have seen him in the flesh.

His daughter (Maureen O'Sullivan) first tries to cover for him, but then appeals to Nick Charles, and he eventually takes interest in the case.

Once Nick Charles (William Powel) and wife Nora (Mirna Loy) get involved all seriousness is thrown out the window as they flirt with each other, and party and meet with a series of various grades of unpleasant and/or kooky adulterers, gigolos, suspects, cops and ex-criminals in an all-pervading alcoholic, Holiday stupor.

The mystery is complex enough (that the next time you might not remember who the killer is,) the cast of eccentrics great (“Oh Nicky, I love you because you know such lovely people,”) but we are here for the fun, and there’s plenty of that.

Alcoholism was never this funny, and you probably never met a more charming couple of drunks as these two. When we first meet them, she immediately orders six martinis to catch up with his drinking that evening!

There is obvious chemistry between the two of the kind one can’t fake, and the goofy competitive interaction between the two is hilarious.

Moments that would cause jealous reactions anywhere else here have relaxed playful reactions: Sure, Charles is caught holding a young, attractive unknown behind a closed door; but there’s obviously a logical explanation for it (which still doesn’t mean he won’t get a ribbing from his wife about it.)

They take turns acting like mischievous children (he breaks a window with his Christmas gifted rifle; she stick out her tongue at him.)

With Nat Pendleton, Minna Gombell, Porter Hall, Henry Wadsworth, William Henry, Harold Huber, Cesar Romero and Asta.