Comedy-Mystery (1941-1950)

Remember those husband-wife mystery shows McMillan and Wife, and Hart to Hart? Those shows had little to offer in terms of plot line, but the thing that made them such big hits during their time was the comic chemistry that went on between the married couple. Their back and forth banter would have the networks laughing all the way to the bank. Those networks should thank Dashiell Hammett (see also Fat Man), the creator of The Thin Man.

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The Thin Man follows an ex-detective, Nick Charles, and his sophisticated, glamorous, wealthy wife, Nora Charles, on their escapades to unravel mystery where ever it may lie by sleuthing and solving murders; billed the "happiest married couple in radio." Their infectious relationship consisted of charming one-upmanship, affectionate criticism, and inebriated fun chock full of martinis, and came with its own terrier, Asta, which is a trademark of all rich couples. The old time radio show was actually spun from the very popular detective novel by Dashiell Hammett , writer of The Maltese Falcon and The Glass Key. The subsequent movie, by the same name, was a very low-budget MGM film that was filmed in only 14 days, went on to gross over $2 million while being nominated in four categories for Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay!

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While Claudia Morgan played Nora Charles the entire run, the line up for leading man Les Damon was shifted several times:

For more brainy detectives, see also: Softboiled Detectives.