Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939)

Mystery to Me

Want to see Nancy Drew act less like a beloved amateur sleuth and more like a villainous corrupt cop in a prestige drama? Then we've got a movie for you!

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase is a 1939 mystery comedy film from director William Clemens, starring Bonita Granville, Frankie Thomas, and John Litel. It's based on the novel of the same name, penned by Mildred Wirt Benson for the Stratemeyer Syndicate. But boy, does this staircase twist away from the original premise!

Nancy must help two elderly sisters inherit their father's mansion, so they can donate the building and create a new hospital for River Heights. And she's decided that that this noble end justifies any means, including tampering with evidence in a murder case, faking a suicide note, and drugging old people. Yes, those are all real things that happen in this film about a plucky teen detective.

Listen to Áine and Kevin complain about this movie's many missteps, namely its decision to assassinate its titular character's ... well, character.

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