The Return Of The Thin Man (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Although this is simply a print treatment of the original script write up for the Thin Man sequels (After the Thin Man and Another Thin Man), they are presented with fascinating background details, historical information, and inside bits on what was going on behind the scenes.Each of the two stories is written halfway between prose and script, and reads like a novel. Hammett's skill at dialog and plotting remains, although his descriptions are necessarily stripped down. There are notable differences between this initial treatment of the stories and what made it to the screen, and both were good.It is clear, however, that Hammett was writing not because he had wonderful stories to tell so much as he was getting a paycheck, and his complaint about why he left Hollywood and gave up writing is better understood in these scripts ("I was repeating myself"). They're still good reading and very enjoyable - as the films were - but you can tell he's more focused on getting that paycheck and the script in place than telling a fresh, interesting story. The two “original screen stories” in the newly published Return of the Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett are a delight to read. Also included is Hammett's very brief treatment for "Sequel to the Thin Man." I’ve enjoyed every Thin Man movie I’ve seen and it was interesting to read the actual early screen treatments, though it left me wondering how I had never read Hammett before. The original novel of The Thin Man as well as The Continental Op are now high on my TBR list.Each of the stories is bookended by a headnote and footnote. These provide contextual information and helped me finally identify the word I’ve been searching for to describe Nick and Nora Charles. Yes, they are smart, witty, urbane and every other adjective usually used to describe them. But the word I was searching for is Hammett’s own - smug. Of particular interest are the differences between the screen stories and their corresponding films. I won’t elaborate, please see other reviews if you want spoilers. Or better yet, read the book…My copy was won through the GoodReads First Reads program - thank you, Grove Atlantic!
What do You think about The Return Of The Thin Man (2012)?
Good read, though lacks the charm of the original novel by being in a loose screenplay-like style.
—Jecka
I love reading Hammett - there is no one today that can capture things on paper the way he did.
—firebreather125
Nice script but clearly made better by the acting of William Powell and Myrna Loy.
—beastbutler
IT DON'T MATTER WHO'S IN PAPERBACK, DASHIELL HAMMETT IS STILL THE KING!
—gloss_79
Less like a novel, more like scripts for the films.
—billielover
