W.S. Van Dyke II

Another Thin Man -- An explosives manufacturer suspects a young man is out to kill him. He calls in Nick and Nora (with new baby) to sort things out.

Arliss second-guesses his decision to place a personal ad when Jasmine, his date, turns out to be a quirky, gun wielding woman whose initial intention was to mock his desperation.

Arliss places a "lonely hearts" ad in a single paper. Jasmine makes the call. They agree to meet at the Asylum Café. That's when the trouble begins! Arliss is expecting the slender, virginal beauty described to him on the phone. When the quirky woman in black, who has been mocking his antiquated male fantasies, turns out to be Jasmine, Arliss bolts. Jasmine chases after him and begs him to stay. When he blows her off, and she pulls a gun! As Arliss' anger turns to attraction, they both find out you don't always get what you expect when you look for love in all the wrong places.

Things really get shaken up when an aspiring opera singer becomes involved with a bawdy saloon owner and his high-society rival during the devastating earthquake of 1906. Spectacular special effects are second only to the stellar performances of Oscar-winner Clark Gable ("Gone With the Wind", "It Happened One Night"), Oscar-winner Spencer Tracy ("Mutiny on the Bounty," "Adam's Rib") and Jeanette MacDonald ("Love Me Tonight"). Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Writing and Director. Spencer Tracy received his first of nine nominations. Look for The Three Stooges in one of their few feature appearances. With buildings crumbling, streets opening up, and fires erupting, this is the disaster picture that set the standard.