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Back to Christmas Films  "I don't usually look this
way, but I've been Christmas shopping."
It's
the enticing chemistry between Myrna Loy (Nora Charles) and William
Powell (Nick Charles) which makes this film such fun to watch.
Recently married & clearly besotted with each other,
Nick is a
louche ex-private detective & she's a smart & sassy
rich girl.
And they both love a mystery & a cocktail (or six). The
film doesn't have a Christmas-related plot but it takes place over the
Christmas holiday & will probably ring Christmas bells with
many
viewers. A hectic cocktail-fuelled Christmas party
reaches
a climax with a drunken & emotional sing-along to 'Silent
Night' -
even the hardbitten police investigating the murder join in - and their
are copious tears. And
there's a lovely Christmas morning scene in which Nick takes pot shots
at the Christmas tree with his new air rifle & Nora sitting
around
in her new fur coat, too hot, but reluctant to take it off ('it's so
pretty'). And
for everyone who likes to celebrate their Christmas with a drink (or
six) there is some great advice from Nick on the art of the perfect
cocktail: "The important thing is the rhythm. Always
have rhythm in your shaking.
Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a
dry martini you always shake to waltz time." | 
