Murder, romance, high society, disturbing levels of alcoholism, an abundance of dog reaction shots: this is cinema.

66/100

Second viewing, first since 1992 (during my initial blitz through the canon after moving to New York and discovering its rep houses). Kinda flabbergasted by how little Nick + Nora there actually is here—movie's on fire whenever Powell and Loy banter it up, but I'd forgotten that "chivalry" keeps requiring Nora to be sidelined and that Hammett's typically convoluted mystery plot regularly grinds the repartee to a halt. Basically two magnificent, iconic characters trapped in a forgettable programmer. Turns out that's more than enough.

The Delightfully drunken Nick and Nora Charles (and Asta!) are my favorite on screen couple. Getting hammered at parties and solving mysteries like it’s nobodies business... never forgetting to pour another glass of spirits. Myrna Loy and William Powell are to die for, and have some of the best chemistry, acted or non acted, that I’ve ever seen. <3

One of my favorite films of the 1930’s also happens to be a fun New Years Romp as well, and if you played a drinking game every time Nick or Nora drank, well, you’d be dead! Also, this gets an extra half star because my Great Uncle Cesar is in it, and looks dashing af.

Such an odd little movie. But the convoluted plot never gets in the way and gives the climax its umph. Hard to believe the ending passed the Code. I remember first seeing this movie around the time I was in graduate school; I suddenly liked old movies and my mother and I saw this at 80 St Marks.

TCM

The two leads have tremendous chemistry and the dialog is clever. Marred a bit by me having trouble keeping every character straight (most of the men look entirely identical to me, for example; minor differences in facial hair and precisely how rectangular their heads are) which made he plot tough Otto follow. Also, and I’m sure this was expected at the time, but the pacing of the dialogue is off to register the jokes to modern ears. The patter feels like it should be faster, rather than small gaps between characters speaking.

I couldn’t ask for a more dynamic screen duo than Myrna Loy and Skippy the dog.

“The murderer is right in this room. Sitting at this table. You may serve the fish.”

Reasons why Nick and Nora have my ideal life:
- are married to a hot person with whom they have an amazing reparte 
- are constantly involved in funny situations with weirdos 
- are rich enough to escape the horror of alienated labor 
- are drunk constantly

Scavenger Hunt #47
Task #24: A film that was nominated for (but didn't win) the Best Picture Oscar

Though he's been out of the detective game for a while, Nick Charles (William Powell) finds himself on the trail of a missing scientist, with his wife Nora (Myrna Loy) in tow. Powell and Loy can banter with the best screwball couples of the era, though thankfully the film never loses sight of its engaging mystery.

Dyke isn't much as a stylist, but he doesn't interfere with the film's comic touches either, so credit for that much. And while the film is rarely laugh-out-loud funny, it's usually amusing, and the whodunit is nice and convoluted, with a particularly great climax. What stands out most is Nick and Nora's relationship: their playful banter and genuinely good-natured romance is surprisingly warm given their raging alcoholism and all that.

Third movie I watched with Nessa on Rabbit.
I never know how to start my review because I'm SO bad at reviewing movies lol.
It was like watching an Alfr*d H*tchcock movie but with more comedy and with less serious (not in a bad way at all !)
Now, I REALLY need to watch the other ones from this serie as soon as possible. 

- Waiter, will you serve the nuts ? 
  I mean, will you serve the guests the nuts ?

I haven't watched this since the first time I saw it last year and it was so good to revisit it with Dihya! It's really just as much fun, entertaining and hilarious as it was then.