The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.

I love a good movie franchise, but for me, the magic number is 3…once you go pass that, you’re pushing it (unless you do a reboot e.g. Spider Man)…usually forcing crazy storylines and just using action to cover up the lack of plot (some movies lose it after 2 smh). Sorry, went down a little rabbit hole…back to my favorite detective/private eye of all time, Nick Charles (William Powell…love him!) and his hilarious, feminist, “take no stuff” better half Nora (Myrna Loy). I love this series for its mix of murder, mystery, intrigue, suspense and comedy. Nick and Nora have a style of of solving mysteries all their own! And Asta, you can’t forget about their dog sidekick who often steals the scene.

I love everything about this series…the witty dialogue…the scenery…the cinematography and use of shadows…the casual alcoholism smh…the future starts who pop up (James Stewart and Maureen O’Sullivan, for example)…the glamour and sophistication, yet still can be “one of the guys” attitude of Nora…the suave, cool intelligence of Nick. They just seem like that couple you would love to have as friends because it’s bound to lead to a good time! The chemistry and timing between Powell and Loy is undeniable. Powell is quoted saying “[Loy] has the give and take of acting that brings out the best.”  MGM has concerns that Powell was too old and straight-laced to play Nick and that Loy had become typecast in exotic femme fatale roles, but both of them revamped their images with this series. Powell is one of my favorite classic Hollywood leading men (My Man Godfrey & Libeled Lady) and Loy is force to be reckoned with.

The series progresses through the Charles’ life from their honeymoon phase all the way through parenthood. My favorite film in the series is probably a toss up between the 1st, The Thin Man (1934) and Shadow of the Thin Man (1941), but I love them all (the last two in the series, not quite as much though, if I’m being 100% honest…going back to my movie franchise rule). I could go on for hours…but I’ll spare you. I don’t think any of them are currently streaming anywhere (I have the whole series on DVD if you want to borrow them lol), but if you like classic Hollywood, detective movies or just good movies in general, I suggest trying to find them or buying them through TCM here…it’ll be well worth it!

Nick Charles: Oh it’s all right, Joe. It’s all right. It’s my dog. And, uh, my wife.

Nora Charles: Well you might have mentioned me first on the billing.