Dashiell Hammett's famous characters made it to the small screen in 1957, nearly 34 years after their first appearance in Redbook magazine, for a two-season, 72-episode run.
There's a somewhat sad tale behind the television show, the first filmed television show made by MGM Studios (their previous foray into television was the variety show MGM Parade), a case of too little too late. Long-time MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer did not believe in television and thought it was a passing fad, refusing to become involved in the new media. But, by the mid-Fifties, the old studio system was dying, television was ascending, and MGM was fading fast. Then Joseph P. Kennedy came along and reportedly helped bankroll The Thin Man as a vehicle for his son-in-law, Peter Lawford, whose previous series Dear Phoebe died after one season. But Lawford and Phyllis Kirk (who played Nora) were no William Powell and Myna Loy. The television version of Nick and Nora Charles was light, charming, and sophisticated, but could not hold a candle to the film pair, and the 22-minute television format proved inconsequential as far as plot went. Although a moderate success, television's The Thin Man found itself standing on the precipice of MGM's downfall.
Peter Lawford was suave and sophisticated, although always a bit still and understated. Phyllis Kirk was right and beautiful and always wore the best clothes. And they were wealthy, living in a posh New York penthouse. He was a retired private detective who still maintained contact with some in the criminal classes. Unlike in the films, Nick and Nora were childless, but they did have that damned dog, Asta, who was very smart, and was played by three Wire-hair Terriers. (Asta never did it for me as a television pooch. But, then again, neither did Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin; I much preferred Neil, the drunken ghost Saint Bernard from Topper.)
In the first episode of the series, Nora's friend Marcella (Natalie Norwick) has been accused of shoplifting. Naturally, Nora has to investigate and uncovers a blackmailing ring with characters named Dink and Angel.
Directed By Bernard Girard, whose television career included episodes of Rebound, Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson, Medic, The Lone Wolf, You Are There, The O. Henry Playhouse, M /Squad, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and one further episode of The Thin Man. Scripted by Phil Davis (whose credits include eleven episodes of The Thin Man and -- please forgiver him ! -- eleven episodes of My Mother, the Car) and Charles Hoffman (twelve episodes of The Thin Man, three episodes of Dear Phoebe, 86 episodes -- as writer and/or script and continuity supervisor -- of Batman, one episode of The Green Hornet, the film The Green Hornet, and the television special Batman '66 Meets the Green Hornet).
Nick and Nora on TV = harmless fun. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtXzr9kMK6o
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