Return of the Thin Man

By: Dashiell Hammett

Narrated by: Peter Ganim, Nicola Barber, Scott Brick

Dashiell Hammett was a crime writer who elevated the genre to true literature, and The Thin Man was Hammett’s last - and most successful - novel. Following the enormous success of The Thin Man movie in 1934, Hammett was commissioned to write stories for additional films. He wrote two full-length novellas for the films that became After the Thin Man and Another Thin Man. Hammett brought back his classic characters - retired private investigator Nick Charles and his former debutante wife Nora - in these two fully satisfying Thin Man stories, written with Hammett’s signature, barbed dialogue.

Neither of these stories has been previously published (except for a partial in a small magazine 25 years ago). Now together in Return of the Thin Man, these hugely entertaining novellas are destined to remain essential listening for Hammett’s millions of fans and a new generation of mystery lovers the world over.

The recording features Peter Ganim as Nick, Nicola Barber as Nora, and Scott Brick as the narrator. Additional character voices are provided by Emily Bauer, Dan Bittner, Cynthia Darlow, Richard Ferrone, Eliza Foss, Emma Galvin, Johnny Heller, Pete Larkin, Bill Lobley, Carol Monda, Rich Orlow, Paula Parker, Vinnie Penna, with Zane Birdwell, Nathan Rosborough, Iris McElroy, Barbara Vlahides, Fametta Sawyer, Tim Bader, Tyrrell Harrell, Kevin Fecu, and Alan Winter.

©2012 After the Thin Man copyright © 1986 by Turner Entertainment Co. Another Thin Man and Sequel to the Thin Man copyright © 2012 by Turner Entertainment Co. Introduction and all other writing copyright © 2012 Richard Layman and Julie M. Rivett. (P)2012 (p) 2012 HighBridge Company

Delightful and Tricky

I have loved listening to all The Thin Man productions on Audible-these two screenplays included. Nick and Nora are the best. I want both of them in my close friends circle. I so appreciate Hammett’s wit and verbal play. I also enjoyed the reviewers information and historical background of Hammett’s life and relationship with the studio. What I find tricky in this day is, of course, the racism written into the characters’ lines. It’s part of history. I don’t want it erased or censored out, but it makes me hesitate to recommend the works. I think the most interesting issue with the racism is that it doesn’t really add anything, and if it weren’t there, the storyline, the wisecracks, wouldn’t really be diminished. That being said, the only thing it does is pin his works to a time in history, which may wind up trapping them there and accelerating their disappearance from our minds. The racism in the works is, in itself, is an important and interesting conversation.

Unnecessarily long

The stories were interesting but had several racist remarks. Also the history portions were unnecessary.

History great. The rest not so much

The history lesson at the beginning was fantastic. The rest, not so much, didn’t like the actors. Sorry. Just couldn’t get past it.

Great story! Okay voices

Interesting versions of the well-loved movie scripts penned by Hammett. However, I couldn't get past the voice of the actor playing Nick. My guess is he was trying to sound droll, but it didn't work. Similarly the actress playing Nora made her sound like a ditz.

Who is the Thin Man?

This Thin Man was much different than the previous Thin Man story. Return of the Thin Man is a combination of the story, a report on Dashiell Hammett, and a comparison of the book and the movie. I was confused sometimes what was being told.

I really enjoyed the performance of the people telling the story. Without this cast, I would have been lost much more than I was.

It might be better if I had read the book instead of listening to it on Audible.

Highly recommened!

For anyone who has ever read through a screenplay, the structure of this audiobook will be very comfortable and familiar. This is an audio performance by professional actors of two of Dashiell Hammett's screenplays for After the Thin Man (1936) and Another Thin Man (1939), the second and third films in the Thin Man film series with Myrna Loy and William Powell. Unlike the original The Thin Man film (1934), which was based on Dashiell Hammett's final book, The Thin Man, the stories for After the Thin Man and Another Thin Man were conceived as screenplays from the start.

This production is very slickly produced, with a large cast of characters. A few minor quibbles aside, most of the cast is excellent in my opinion, with veteran narrator Scott Brick reading all the directions between the dialog and also narrating a thoroughly researched backstory on the genesis of these screenplays before and between the two performances. The pacing is energetic and the transition between characters and narrator is seamless. Kudos to the editor of this production!

Yes, of course, one should watch the original films to experience a more complete realization of Hammett's conception, but these two productions are a lot of fun and serve a different purpose, much the way many popular films of the 1930s and 40s were turned into radio plays, often with the same actors who appeared in the original films reprising their roles on the radio. Plus, even though Hammett conceived these screenplays for Hollywood in the 1930s, knowing all the Production Code restrictions that were then in place, ultimately some of the material that Hammett wrote was deemed unsuitable for the films by the Production Code and left out. Therefore, these readings are the first time the public gets to experience Hammett's original conceptions, complete and uncensored.

Interesting change

This is a collection of 3 screen plays written by DH, with historical commentary mixed in before and after each. The narration for the male voices is good. The female voices are outstanding. By favorite portrayal is Aunt Catherine, or Katherine. She's not a likable character, but her voice is extraordinary. The voices are done like a radio play.

Not what I was expecting but still fun

I didn’t read closely before I bought this. I’m glad I didn’t read but just bought and listened. It was very enjoyable.

The background info is interesting

Having the background narrative will add to my enjoyment of future movie viewings of the first three episodes of the Thin Man. Thanks.

The history was more interesting than the plots

The performances were a little annoying as others have noted, but I was able to follow the plot and enjoy the story. Unfortunately the plot line was far less interesting than the historic notes provided about Dashiell Hammett.