I saw the new William Powell mystery flicker once in May, but didn’t get the story, confusing all those faces and names. Now I’ve seen it again and almost would’ve fallen in love with The Thin Man — if he wasn’t drinking like a fish. Half a year after prohibition of liquor was stopped, Powell gives a ‘swell’ example. This hero is smart, witty and tough — and constantly consuming liquor. What a model to young men in this country! Are we supposed to swim out of this depression in alcohol?
Technically this picture shows unique quality, with lots of great ideas. I admired the marvelous camera work. For example the camera starts under the grand piano and drives over the orchestra into the dancing couples. What an opening! And they really added the sound that way: Booming bass under the piano (I felt like jumping off my seat and dance) and then the orchestra sound changes to more treble. These daring camera movements and exciting perspectives are quite an adventure. Later Powell comforts Maureen O’Sullivan and Myrna Loy steps in as his wife — followed by camera panning to her and back to him. I never saw such precise pan shots before. As I was told, this all over masterly shooting was done within twelve days. With horror I recall the shaky zoom on Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell at the end of 42nd Street. Technically The Thin Man is very much better, but the moral message is thin stew. What a pity!
In the meantime the gentlemen Hays, Breen* and the catholic Legion of Decency preferred to watch Tarzan-bride Maureen O’Sullivan’s shadows, while she put on a dress in a jungle tent. Dress changing shadows seem to matter much more than excessively drinking leads. Indeed the 1930 Hays Code forbids “nudity in fact or silhouette”, but I didn’t see anything. Would this be “promoting sex mania in our country” (direct quote, Legion of Decency)?
It seems Tarzan and His Mate was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Hollywood’s instrument of self-censorship has been established just two days ago: A $ 25,000 fine against any film distributed without the Hays Office’s permission — effective from July 1st on. Of course government censorship, as in Russia and Germany, would’ve been the worst solution for our democracy. But is the Hays Office’s new Production Code Administration (PCA) really capable to brew anything else but thin stew? I doubt it.
Apropos, to Mr. Breen: You better cast an eye on Miss Loy’s blouse in the final scene of The Thin Man. It isn’t exactly opaque, but seems to be silk and you can practically see “nudity … in silhouette.”
Clarissa Smith — June 15, 1934
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* Mr. Hays’ sort of deputy sheriff in the west
