The movie, The Thin Man is recognized by some as one of the greatest detective movies of all time, and is ranked 38 on the American Film Institute (AFI) list of 100 Best Movies. In 1997 it was added to the National Film Registry for being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant in American cinema. But when MGM first released The Thin Man in 1934 it was considered a B movie. Shot in just 16 days on a modest budget, director W.S. Van Dyke had to persuade MGM boss, Louis B Mayer to cast William Powell and Myrna Loy in the title roles. Soon to become the iconic Nick and Nora Charles
Movie critics were lavish in their praise of the film, and movie goers charmed by Nick and Nora as played by Powell and Loy. Audiences were introduced to an on screen married couple that were witty, urbane and who so obviously delighted in each others company. Super sleuths. They were a team. Dialogue like this contributed to the couples appeal:
Nick: I’m a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune
Nora: I read where you were shot five times in the tabloids
Nick: It’s not true. He didn’t come anywhere near my tabloids
The Thin Man was a huge success, both critically and commercially. Nominated for three Academy Awards. It spawned 5 sequels. 90 years later, Nick and Nora (William Powell and Myrna Loy) are still the gold standard all other on screen male/female sleuthing teams are held up to. Which goes to the point I made in my recent blog Classic Movies, On Screen Chemistry, & Remington Steel. On screen chemistry is not something that can be acquired, or learned. It’s innate, and makes all the difference if a movie, or television show succeeds, and its romantic duo can captivate the heart of their audience.
So strongly were Powell and Loy’s identification intertwined with Nick and Nora Charles many mistakenly believed them to be a couple in real life. Even now, in the 21st century Nick and Nora are inseparable from William Powell and Myrna Loy. And vice versa.
Now think of Perry Mason and Della Street, and picture what they look like. I’m willing to bet it’s Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale. Perry Mason was a weekly television series that aired on CBS from 1957 - 1966. It starred Raymond Burr as Perry Mason and Barbara Hale as his faithful secretary, Della Street. They, too had a powerful on screen chemistry. Like The Thin Man, Perry Mason was adapted for the screen from a novel. And even though the television series doesn’t overtly show the depth of the romantic attachment between Perry and Della as it does in the novels,
She (Della) looked at Perry Mason with eyes that were starry with pride. When she spoke, her voice had something of caressing tenderness in it. Mason’s lips brushed Della’s cheek. Happy, he asked. Yes, darling, she said softly (Case of The Sulky Girl, 1937)
The television audience gets it. Theirs is a close relationship; committed to one another. Loyal to each other. Best friends. Romantically involved. The characters don’t have to say it, we see it. Perfect in their roles, Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale became Perry Mason and Della Street. That’s why after 66 years they still have a following via reruns and streaming, and we can’t picture anyone else but Burr and Hale as the dedicated defense attorney and his devoted secretary.
That brings me again to Laura Holt and Remington Steele. Like William Powell and Myrna Loy and Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale, the Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist on screen partnership exudes a sparkling, radiant chemistry between them. A relationship that seems real, not staged or directed. But natural in the way they look at each other, touch each other, respond to one another. Very simpatico. Like a well matched, long time married couple who have their own code of silent communication. And those tender, and passionate kisses.
Even though their relationship is fraught with challenges, some due to their own insecurities and backstories. Steele was abandoned as a child and has no family. He doesn’t even know his birth name. At a young age Laura’s father walked out on her, her mother and sister. Leaving a void, and trust issues. The audience still cheer their romance as much as they cheer the many investigative adventures the pair undertake and see Laura and Steele as kindred spirits, soul mates; destined to be together. Wanting them to be together.
Stephanie Zimbalist brings a lot to the Laura Holt role. Style, quick wit, intelligence, loyalty, perseverance, comic timing, athleticism. Reminiscent of Katherine Hepburn and Barbara Stanwyck and the romantic comedies they starred in. Like Hepburn and Stanwyck, Zimbalist did many of her own stunts. In fact, she’s an honorary member of the National Stuntwoman Association. She also co-wrote one of the Remington Steele episodes, Steele in the Chips. A very funny story about the heist of a no calorie chocolate chip cookie. The show also stars Gena Davis. The fast paced chase scenes remind one of scenes from It’s a Mad,Mad, Mad World and will make you laugh right out loud.
Even though it’s been over 30 years since the series ended its five season run, I believe Remington Steele and Laura Holt will continue to delight audiences, and be recognized as one of the best, most popular Romantic sleuth teams on TV, or movies. Right along Nick and Nora Charles, and Perry Mason and Della Street. And judging not only on my personal opinion, but on the many YouTube slideshows (I have googled and watched 145) fans have cleverly, and creatively made of Laura Holt and Remington Steele. That’s 145 different videos and 145 different songs all of images of Remington Steele and Laura Holt from episodes of Remington Steele adapted to lyrics of songs. I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You, Brown Eyed Girl, Like a Prayer, God Gave Me You, Fever, A Million Dreams, All I Ask of You, Come To Me, Ever, Ever After, and so many more. Some lighted hearted like Kokomo, The Night They Invented Champagne, and She’s Crazy But She’s Mine. Each telling a story of Remington and Laura’s passion, love, escapades, and commitment to one another. By comparison I have found only four or five similar videos featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy, and Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. And, some of the RS videos have more than 30,000 views, others a 126,000 ! ‘
Kudos to each of the creators of these videos. They are entertaining, and captivating. The music so well chosen for the Laura Holt and Remington Steele characters, and their scenes together; their love story.
If you’re a Remington Steele fan (and even if you’ve never watched an episode) I highly recommend these videos. Finding them is simple. Just go to YouTube and type Remington Steele and Laura Holt in search. Several will pop up. You won’t be sorry!, and will probably get hooked just like I did.
Remington Steele (Pierce Brosnan) & Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist )
