New Year’s Films 1 – After the Thin Man

The end of another year is upon is. And given what the last year has been like for many, we might be pretty glad to say goodbye to 2021. Here’s hoping that some of our problems in the world fare better in 2022.

In the meantime, though, why dwell on the past? As you think about celebrating the beginning of the new year in a few days, DO celebrate.

But, as a writer, there’s something else you might think about—writing stories set around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Like Christmas, the dawn of a new year brings with it limitless possibilities. So let’s take a look at New Year’s films through the years—beginning with After the Thin Man [1936] by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Here’s the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0B36pDujBU

First of all, it’s funny to look at the difference in trailers, isn’t it? Back in the 30s they seemed almost professorial in their aim to teach you why this is a film you have to see and to laud their own brilliance at making the film! Brand loyalty—i.e. films at our studio are better than films at the other studios—really was strong.

But take a look at the story for this film. It was a sequel to the hugely popular film The Thin Man that ended with the couple, after solving a mystery, getting on the train in New York to go back home to California. And that’s where After the Thin Man picks up—with them on the train. Overall, there were a total of six Thin Man films between 1934 and 1947—it was one of the first franchises.

So After the Thin Man picks our couple up on the train, heading home. And when they arrive in California, it’s New Year’s Eve—and they just want to crash. But a phone call from one of their relatives forces them to go to a dinner party. WHAT a boring New Year’s Eve is in store for them.

But, of course, it becomes anything but boring—it becomes their next case. A missing man, then a murder, then another… this is no take-it-easy New Year’s Eve.

What made this series of Thin Man films so incredibly popular?

Two things—character and tone.

The mysteries are all pretty ordinary—fun, but ordinary.

But the husband and wife were just perfect. They exchanged witty banter, at bottom they had great affection for one another, and they played off of each other to perfection. And the tone of the films was always light-hearted and witty.

This particular film in the series also had the holiday going for it. After all, they head out for a typically boring New Year’s Eve with relatives and end up in the middle of an intriguing mystery.

That’s one way to use the holiday—turn it on its head!

After the Thin Man is 85 years old—but I think it still has things to teach us!

Next week, let’s head to the 60s… and to Vegas…

Copyright © Diane Lake

26Dec21

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com