Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939)

Nancy helps two aging spinsters fulfill the byzantine provisions of their father's will, but the murder of their chauffeur complicates matters.

Director:

William Clemens

Writers:

Kenneth Gamet (original screen play), Mildred Wirt Benson (based on the Nancy Drew stories by) (as Carolyn Keene)

Stars:

Bonita Granville, Frankie Thomas, John Litel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bonita Granville	...	Nancy Drew
Frankie Thomas	...	Ted Nickerson
John Litel	...	Carson Drew
Frank Orth	...	Captain Tweedy
Renie Riano	...	Effie Schneider
Vera Lewis	...	Miss Rosemary Turnbull
Louise Carter	...	Miss Floretta Turnbull
William Gould	...	Daniel Talbert
George Guhl	...	Smitty
John Ridgely	...	Reporter
William Hopper	...	Reporter (as DeWolf Hopper)
Creighton Hale	...	Reporter
Frank Mayo	...	Tribune Photographer
Frederic Tozere	...	District Attorney's Investigator (as Fredric Tozere)
Don Rowan	...	Phillips the Chauffeur

Storyline

Nancy Drew and Ted Nickerson solve a murder and save two elderly ladies from losing their family home. The old mansion is complete with a moving wall and a hidden staircase.

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Plot Keywords:

ice | block of ice | ice tongs | warning sign | gun | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nancy Drew e a Escada Secreta

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fourth and last film in the "Nancy Drew" series released by Warner Bros. from 1938 to 1939.

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Goofs

When Teds hands the crumpled note on torn paper to Mr. Drew, in close-up the paper is much smoother and has clean edges.

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Quotes

Carson Drew: Here's a check for the butcher. Tell him he's been cutting the meat so thin lately it only has one side.
Effie Schneider, the Housekeeper: Yes sir, shall I tell him which side?

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Connections

Follows Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter (1939)

User Reviews

Nancy Drew Captured

I think Warner Bros. captured the spirit of the Nancy Drew novels, and presented them in great style. The give and take between Nancy and her father is actually better than the books, and Ted Nickerson, as played by Frankie Thomas, makes the character stand out far more than in the books, where he was just a straight man for Nancy. And Bonita Granville as Nancy gives a phenomenal film portrayal of the heroine of millions, without going over the top, and she is especially likable and memorable. We have to remember this is a film portrayal of a book, it is not the book, nor was it meant to be, and it captures exactly the feeling of Nancy Drew mysteries. I wish the Hardy Boys had been done like this! I gave it a 10 not because it was the best movie ever made, but because it was a great interpretation of the book that lost nothing in the translation to screen, and gained in the character given by superb actors.