Which 1934 film introduced the detective duo Nick and Nora Charles?

The 1934 film that introduced detective duo Nick and Nora Charles is The Thin Man.

Directed by W. S. Van Dyke, the film adapts Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 mystery novel. William Powell plays Nick Charles, a retired private detective, and Myrna Loy plays Nora, his wealthy, witty wife. Their fast banter, flirtation, lavish drinking, and affectionate partnership made them one of Hollywood’s most influential detective couples.

The mystery begins when Nick is drawn into the disappearance of inventor Clyde Wynant and the murder investigation surrounding Wynant’s former secretary. The title refers to Wynant—not to Nick Charles—although the public later came to use “the Thin Man” as Nick’s informal nickname.

The film was made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and became a major success, leading to five sequels featuring Powell and Loy. Asta, the couple’s wire-haired fox terrier, also became a series icon. The Lady Vanishes, The Big Sleep, and The Maltese Falcon are unrelated detective films from other years and do not introduce Nick and Nora.