Nancy Drew -- Reporter

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Nancy Drew -- Reporter

Released Feb 18, 1939

1h 8m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

100%

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5 Reviews

69%

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1,000+ Ratings

Girl sleuth Nancy Drew (Bonita Granville) is always on the case when a mystery springs up in River Heights. This time, Nancy enters an amateur journalism contest and runs smack into a plot to frame an innocent young woman for murder. With the aid of her long-suffering chum, Ted (Frank Thomas Jr.), and some legal advice from her attorney dad (John Litel), Nancy nabs an elusive piece of evidence that she hopes will prove the identity of the real killer -- and win her the journalism prize to boot.

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MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

One of the Warner Bros short features, aimed at young audiences, about the teen-girl detective’s adventures, though she’s cast as a rather interfering little brat. Still, it’s good clean fun for kids.

Jul 9, 2024

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Josephine O'Neill

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

The film is easy, programme humor, with a dash or two of genuine excitement.

Oct 14, 2020

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...generally as breezy and amiable a piece of work as one might've expected.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 5, 2008

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

I got a big kick out of this little detective story.

Rated: B+

Jun 16, 2007

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John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

The action moves along at a good clip, although there are some digressions with the neighborhood children that appear thrown in specifically to appease a young audience.

Rated: 6/10

Jun 5, 2007

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Steve D

Not as good as the first though Granville is still strong.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

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Audience Member

Honestly, I love this movie! Bonita Granville has an amazing performance! And it has a good overarching story arc.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Granville is a darling with a great athletic body. The kids will leave you smiling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

A charming little girl detective movie perfect suited for young women & children alike. It's very predictable but likeable in its own way...it's great to see all the old sets used for this film from the old warner brothers studios. It's a little dated but still fun to re-visit...this film inspired many sequels & a popular remake with Emma Roberts in 2008.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

i love all nancy drew movies and books

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

Silly Nancy Drew film, with the heroine being miles apart from her literary counterpart.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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William Clemens

Director

Bonita Granville

Nancy Drew

John Litel

Carson Drew

Frankie Thomas

Ted Nickerson

Mary Lee

Mary

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Synopsis

Girl sleuth Nancy Drew (Bonita Granville) is always on the case when a mystery springs up in River Heights. This time, Nancy enters an amateur journalism contest and runs smack into a plot to frame an innocent young woman for murder. With the aid of her long-suffering chum, Ted (Frank Thomas Jr.), and some legal advice from her attorney dad (John Litel), Nancy nabs an elusive piece of evidence that she hopes will prove the identity of the real killer -- and win her the journalism prize to boot.

Director: William Clemens
Screenwriter: Kenneth Gamet
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 1939, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 8m

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