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.

It would be too easy to pick this story apart for it's lack of credibility, but that would be a disservice to all the young fans of the Nancy Drew series of books and films that continue to entertain to the present day. The best thing to do with this one is watch it with a few kids and get their reaction to the on screen hi-jinks between Nancy (Bonita Granville) and her put upon pal Ted Nickerson (Frankie Thomas). Nancy's pretty slick actually, the way she filched the newspaper assignment and how she managed to con her way into and out of the scrapes she found herself in.There were a few things that had me going 'Huh?' though, like did the door man at the gym REALLY charge them ten cents to get in? The other head scratcher was the lettering on the office door of the River Heights Tribune - what exactly is a 'Newspaper Morgue'?

In her second case for the movies, pretty teenage sleuth Bonita Granville (as Nancy Drew) enters a "young newspaper reporter" contest. Naturally, she sheds her human interest story assignment for something more dangerous, and decides to cover a murder trial. Soon, Ms. Granville is re-investigating the case, eventually putting herself in danger. Granville, looking more and more curvaceous, enlists the aid of young wavy-haired neighbor Frankie Thomas (as Ted Nickerson), who looks swell in boxing trunks. ("One Round Lugan, the Frisco Flash!") This entry's story isn't as well-paced as the first, but the teen detectives are still very appealing. John Litel (as Carson Drew) leads an entertaining supporting cast.****** Nancy Drew... Reporter (2/18/39) William Clemens ~ Bonita Granville, Frankie Thomas, John Litel

This was a really fun and snappy series. The only question I have is why only four???? There were several Nancy Drew books of which only the last film (Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase) was based.Bonita Granville showed her versatility as an actress - a few years before she played a psychotic school girl in "These Three" and now she was in a series in which she played a typical all American girl. The supporting cast was tops as well. John Lytell, who had been a dependable supporting actor, played her dad, Carson Drew and Frankie Thomas was excellent as her long suffering boyfriend Ted Nickerson. If you recognise the voice of the City Editor Bostwick, it is Thomas E. Jackson, who played Sergeant Tom Flaherty in "Little Ceasar" (1930).Nancy wins a journalistic prize at school and she gets a chance to be a reporter for a day. Disgusted at the topics they are given (Squirrels in a park - a day in the life of a goldfish) she secretly changes topics and now finds she is investigating a murder of an elderly lady. While she is leaving court she is sideswiped by a speeding car. In hot pursuit she chases the driver to the house where the elderly lady was murdered. The trail leads to a boxing gym and a comical scene involving Ted masquerading as "One Hit Louie". There is a pretty girl, behind bars begging Nancy to let her father, Carson Drew, defend her. Most of the film is played for laughs and you lose sight of the mystery. Ted's pesky little sister and her pal (Mary Lee and Dickie Jones) are heavily featured - they are all involved in a musical quartet at a restaurant, they have to "sing for their supper". The comedy gets in the way of the mystery. Bonita Granville is very peppy and resourceful as Nancy although I think this is the weakest entry in the series.