DEEP WATERS (1948)

DEEP WATERS is one of those movies where all of the tension, stress and conflicts could be resolved almost immediately if the characters would just talk to each other in an open and honest manner.

Twelve-year old Dean Stockwell (yep, the same Dean Stockwell from the original Quantum Leak TV show in the 80’s / 90’s) is an orphan from a fishing family who is now placed in a local fishing village by a social worker (Jean Peters) who has a deep hatred for the fishing industry because of how many people die from commercial fishing. Also, her ex-fiancée (Dana Andrews) is a fisherman and neighbor’s with the woman (Anne Revere) who takes in the boy. The social worker then gets upset when the boy shows an interest in fishing...in a fishing village where the only thing to do is fish.

All of the conflicts in DEEP WATERS arise solely from the characters not talking to each other. Then, at the very end of the film, when they actually tell each other their feelings everybody’s like...oohhhhhhh! Okay, cool. Then, literally, ride off together (in a boat) into the sunset. Normally, simplistic storytelling like that would put a thorn in my handsome sack, but with DEEP WATERS I didn’t care because I really like all of the actors in the movie and was just happy to see them perform. Especially Dana Andrews who’s always so relaxed and natural on screen. Dude is awesome. Also, Mary McKay is always just such a delight to watch in anything she ever did. Which, sadly, wasn't a lot.

Bland direction, okay pacing, zero gore, zero nudity, littering, weak as fuck story that's salvaged by solid performances. I am kinda tickled though by that poster art showing Andrews swooping up Jean in his lusty arms as the turbulent storm of his loins, I mean, the sea rages behind them...there was zero sexual chemistry between those characters in the movie.

THE THIN MAN (1934)

Hard-drinking Nick Charles (William Powell) is one of the greatest detectives alive, but he recently married a wealthy industrialist's daughter, Nora (Myrna Loy), so from now on it's smooth sailing!!  No more gumshoeing or hiding in the shadows for him. No siree, Bob! Just a bunch of relaxing, getting drunk as a skunk and gettin' up in his wife's guts...or at least that was the plan.

No matter how hard he fights it, he can't help but get pulled into the case of a married scientist (Edward Ellis) who disappeared around the time his mistress was found murdered. All of New York is abuzz with wild rumors and stories. And to make matters even worse, Nick's beautiful new bride is chomping at the bit to see her famous detective husband in action! Finally, he agrees and after some entertaining snooping around, he has all of the players in the mystery forced to attend a dinner party at his penthouse.  Fireworks ensue.

The murder mystery in THE THIN MAN is entertaining, but the real attraction (and the reason the film endures even to this day) is the on-screen chemistry between Myrna Loy and William Powell.  The two of them together as Nick and Nora Charles really is movie perfection.  The playfulness and quick wit...and the funny faces!  Oh my god, the funny faces they make at each other is the cutest thing that I've seen in a long time.

Quick pace, great mystery, amazing supporting cast, nice use of shadows, clever script (based on an outstanding novel by Dashiell Hammett), outstanding direction by W.S. Van Dyke (a.k.a. "One-Take Woody") who somehow shot this movie in less than 3 weeks!!!  Fun fact: Hammett's novel was originally published in December 1933 and the film premiered five months later in May 1934!  Holy duck-billed platypus testicles, that's fast!!!

If you enjoy classic Hollywood mysteries, then THE THIN MAN is required viewing and the start to a wonderful series that actually has a two sequels that I think are better than the original (parts 2 and 3). Highly recommended.

Part 2 - After the Thin Man (1936)
Part 3 - Another Thin Man (1939)
Part 4 - Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
Part 5 - The Thin Man Goes Home (1945)
Part 6 - Song of the Thin Man (1947)