Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939)
While participating in a contest at a local newspaper in which school children are asked to submit a news story, local attorney Carson Drew's daughter Nancy intercepts a real story assignment. She "covers" the inquest of the death of a woman who was poisoned. Nancy doesn't think the young woman accused of the crime is guilty and corrals her neighbor Ted into searching for a vital piece of evidence and stumbles onto the identity of the real killer.
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People are voting emotionally.
Just perfect...
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
The movie might be good to some people - in-fact I know it is. But for me trying to sit through this movie is like sitting in a dentist chair - nerve-racking! I'm easily irritated buy a bunch of teens on screen trying to pull off comedy - it's just me and my taste-buds I know.I've never been a fan of the Nancy Drew books and I'm not a fan of the films - the films are worse for me because now I see and hear the teens. Nothing personal towards the publisher Edward Stratemeyer nor the many writers under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene - Nancy Drew is just not my style.IF you are a fan of the books then I do recommend the films! I'm sure you will enjoy them! They are family style / kid friendly stories.2/10
William Clemens returned to direct this second case of Nancy Drew(played by Bonita Granville) her father Carson Drew(played by John Litel) and boyfriend Ted Nickerson(played by Frankie Thomas). This time, Nancy wins a newspaper prize with her class to be a reporter, which the reluctant editor agreed to. She tries to find evidence to clear a young woman wrongfully accused of murdering her employer for the inheritance money, which it turns out she was framed for by crooks. Ted's little brother and his girlfriend get in the act as well, though they tend to bring this film to a halt with their silliness, which can pretty much describe this installment as well. Bonita shines though.
Nancy Drew (Bonita Granville) and her classmates are given the opportunity to write actual stories for a newspaper. Not satisfied with covering a poetry reading, Nancy switches her assignment with one of a real reporter and ends up at an inquest. Based on the evidence presented, a lady is accused of poisoning an old woman for an inheritance. But Nancy's not buying it. Dragging her pal Ted Nickerson (Frankie Thomas) and her father Carson (John Litel) along for the ride, Nancy is determined to find the real killer.As with Nancy Drew, Detective, the plot is hardly what matters in a movie like this. In fact, the plot is probably the weakest element of Nancy Drew Reporter. It's too light, too breezy, and, worst of all, too predictable. I defy anyone not to pick out the killer within the first few minutes. However, it's the cast that makes these movies worthwhile. Once again, Bonita Granville shines. She gives real life and spirit to her character. I hate to repeat part of my comment on Ms. Granville from Nancy Drew, Detective, but it remains apropos "She has an infectious charm that dominates the entire movie. It's hard to watch her and not have a smile on your face. You just naturally root for her." She once again joined by a strong supporting cast. I especially enjoyed Ned's bratty sister played by Mary Lee. Really nice job! Finally, I should probably mention that Nancy Drew...Reporter features a musical number. Nancy and company literally sing for their supper in a Chinese restaurant. While it hardly fits with the rest of the movie, I thought it was cute.
"Fun" would be the best way to describe this film in one word. It is not a cinematic masterpiece, nor is it especially well made, but it is a delight to watch nonetheless. Granville gives it her best in the title role and some of the situations that she and her friends get involved in, such as having to do karaoke and a boxing match, make really amusing viewing. There is a certain charm to the film that is hard to deny. It fails to create much suspense with most of the mystery solution given early on, the plot is slim, the supporting performances are mediocre but overall it really hits the spot if one is in the mood for an entertaining film that does not require much thought.