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
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934 film) Betty is reunited with her parents. Nova Pilbeam was the last surviving cast member until her death on 17 July 2015. Before switching to the project, Hitchcock was reported to be working on "Road House" (1934), which was eventually directed by Maurice Elvey. The film started when Hitchcock and writer Charles Bennett tried to adapt a Bulldog Drummond story revolving around international conspiracies and the kidnapping of a baby; its original title was "Bulldog Drummond's Baby". The deal for an adaptation fell through, and the frame of the plot was reused in the script for "The Man Who Knew Too