Some critics describe this entry as a "mild Nick Charles mystery", but I disagree. Some say, "The solution is obvious, despite a commendably large array of suspects." Others complain that "there's very little action and the comic relief is mostly of an elemental variety." And many single out Richard Thorpe's direction as "efficient" or "lackluster" or even "totally undistinguished." I will agree that "Miss Loy is saddled with some out-of-date costumes." But that's what they wore in late 1944! In my opinion, the above reviews come down far too harshly on this entry. I found it quite entertaining. Not only were Powell and Loy in wonderfully bantering form, but Richard Thorpe's fluid, pacey direction kept the movie firmly on a par with the previous efforts of W.S. Van Dyke. Furthermore, the support cast is an absolute wow! A movie-lover's roster of favorite cameo players constantly flit before our eyes: Anne Revere, Donald Meek, Anita Bolster, Lloyd Corrigan, Edward S. Brophy, Donald MacBride and at least twenty others! Even more importantly, the screenplay, co-written by Robert Riskin who authored such marvelous Frank Capra films as Platinum Blonde, It Happened One Night, Mr Deeds Goes To Town, Lost Horizon and Meet John Doe, sparkles with dialogue and situations every bit as amusing, suspenseful and character-rich. And I couldn't pick the killer either—even though all the clues were fairly laid down right before my eyes. Production values and technical credits are also right up to the lavish and glossy standards I always expect from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The photography by Karl Freund deserves particular mention for its atmospheric lighting and dramatic compositions.

This is the fourth sequel to the 1934 smash hit THE THIN MAN. Just when I would have thought the series was dead the producers and writers were able to add life to the franchise.

Nick goes home and of course gets dragged into another murder mystery. Nora, who by now should no longer be curious to see Nick solve a mystery, tries to get Nick to solve a murder mystery so he can impress his father the medical doctor. Nick's father had always hoped his son would have become a doctor and when Nick became a cop and then detective he looked down on him. As far as the mystery goes it follows the typical THIN MAN formula. A bunch of suspects are introduced and in the end Nick rounds them all up and reveals the killer.

The comedy is better than ever. Rather than have Nick always drinking and having jokes centered around his drinking Nick is now sober. The jokes are even funnier because everyone believes he is still a drunk and he just can't convince them otherwise. The scene in his Dad's parlor is hilarious. Nick is stone sober but due to a series of mishaps he is on the floor and appears to all to be drunk as ever. Also, when Nick recounts his childhood to Nora and tells her of his trips to the wood shed that brings back memories of my childhood and trips to the wood shed.

This is my second favorite THIN MAN movie. Right behind AFTER THE THIN MAN and just before the original THIN MAN. It is an almost perfect blend of mystery and comedy.