MovieChat Forums > The Thin Man Goes Home Discussion > Background on Nick Charles, please!

Background on Nick Charles, please!

posted 12 years ago by TimeForLime
2 replies | jump to latest

The story line here in IMDb refers to Nick's father as disapproving of Nick's "choice of profession." What is that profession?

Why is he on such good terms with gamblers, hustlers and other underworld figures? Why do the cops, at least the foot patrolmen, also like him?

Conversely, and except for the need for dramatic and comic elements, why do law enforcement and other characters try so hard to keep Nick Charles from helping out? After all, by this 1944 outing, Charles definitely has a reputation for solving difficult cases. I realize this 'resistance' goes back to the objections of Inspector G. Lestrade in the Sherlock Holmes stories of Arthur Conan Doyle -- but the question stands.

[–] Soujurn 9 years ago

Nick was an honest investigator, who never refused anyone an honest break. He associated with the lower classes and didn't look down his nose upon them. And he was just plain likable. Remember, it wasn't all underworld types that liked him though. Dancer from After The Thin Man for example. And Morelli from The Thin Man both tried to shoot him.

As I recall, most police wanted Nick's help and aided him in his theories too.
Inspector Abram's and Lt. Guild the most sympathetic and even Police Chief MacGregor from Thin Man Goes Home eventually comes around.

And even Lastrade saw the genius of Holmes and admired him and would seek his opinions. As shown in The Six Napoleon's.

"Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of
government."
-Dennis

[–] TimeForLime 9 years ago

Thanks for your informative reply.

<><><>