Movie: "Nancy Drew -- Detective"

Release Date: Nov 1938 Genres: Drama / Mystery Runtime: 66 min Cast: Bonita Granville (Nancy Drew), John Litel (Carson Drew) James Stephenson (Challon) Frankie Thomas (Theodore 'Ted' Nickerson) Frank Orth (Captain Tweedy) Helena Phillips Evans (Mary Eldredge) Renie Riano (Effie Schneider, Drew's Maid) Charles Trowbridge (Hollister) Dick Purcell (Keiffer) Edward Keane (Adam Thorne (as Ed Keane)) Mae Busch (Miss Tyson, the Nurse) Buddy Bange ((uncredited)) Tommy Bupp (Spud Murphy (uncredited)) Betty Jane Graham (Brinwood Student (uncredited)) Stuart Holmes (Telegrapher (uncredited)) Vera Lewis (Miss Van Deering (uncredited)) Jack Mower (Radio Station Technician (uncredited)) John Ridgely (Radio Station Technician (uncredited)) Cliff Saum (Farmer (uncredited)) Joanne Tree (Brinwood Student with Black Hat...) Brandon Tynan (Dr. Raymond 'Ray' Spires...) Lottie Williams (Mrs. Ray Spires (uncredited)) Tom Wilson (Brennan, the Gate Guard (uncredited))

Storyline

Wealthy dowager Mary Eldridge wants to make a $300,000 contribution to her alma mater over the objections of her lawyer. She leaves the decision of how the money should be used to the students, and led by young Nancy Drew, they want it spent on a swimming pool. Although taken aback by the request the old woman agrees. Before the donation can be formalized, Eldridge mysteriously leaves town, but Nancy does believe her lawyer's facile explanation. After witnessing the kidnapping of a local doctor, she discovers a conspiracy to coerce the old woman to sign over her fortune to a criminal ring specializing in swindling wealthy senior citizens. Nancy and boyfriend Ted Nickerson utilize a carrier pigeon, low flying airplane observation, and disguises to free the dowager from the sanitarium where she is being held.