The Thin Man (film) he almost takes the life of someone who knows too much. Cast notes: The film was based on the novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett, released in January 1934. Hammett's novel drew on his experiences as a union-busting Pinkerton detective in Butte, Montana. Hammett based Nick and Nora's banter upon his rocky on-again, off-again relationship with playwright Lillian Hellman. MGM paid Hammett $21,000 for the screen rights to the novel. The screenplay was written by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, who had been married for three years. Director W.S. Van Dyke encouraged them to use Hammett's writing as
After the Thin Man or short story. Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich wrote the screenplay. The film was second of six based on the characters of Nick and Nora: The film was nominated for an Oscar in 1937 for Best Writing, Screenplay. The film carries a 100% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, and 89% audience rating. "After the Thin Man" grossed a total – domestic and foreign – of $3,165,000: $1,992,000 from the US and Canada and $1,173,000 elsewhere. It made a profit of $1,516,000. An hour-long radio adaptation of "After the Thin Man" was presented on the CBS "Lux Radio Theatre" on June 17,