Closely Watched Films: The Thin Man

Art deco murder in 30’s New York and for some reason everyone assumes detective Nick Charles, the world’s wittiest functional alcoholic, is on the case. But more dangerous than gangsters, society matrons and one incredibly creepy bookworm is his razor sharp verbal sparring with fashion-plate wife Nora. Beyond its near perfection (this is the movie that should have won Best Picture in 1935), beyond the electric chemistry of William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora lies a simple question: Is this popcorn comedy-mystery and its five sequels the greatest artistic depiction of mature, changing love between two human beings?

Host Elliott Kalan (writer, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") will discuss the issue of marriage in The Thin Man, including but not limited to: how to keep the spark alive through five sequels; why screenwriters get along better than prose authors; and what puts more strain on a relationship—alcohol or science?