Movies

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939) A bit more like an actual Nancy Drew story than the previous effort, but they really seem to be trying to "girl" her down for this, keeping her dressed way too young and giving a lot of the effective action to her chum Ted Nickerson. It seems like Bonita Granville was growing out of the role even as the film was shot. If you must see a Nancy Drew movie, see the first one, Nancy Drew, Detective. 5/10

Let George Do It! (1940) Because he plays the ukulele, George Formby is mistaken for a Nazi spy. Songs range from his standard music-hall folk style to a full-band swing number, and are all quite enjoyable and well-integrated into the film, not just plunked in at a slow spot. Good dream sequence in which he beats the hell out of Hitler must have been very satisfying to the viewing public at the time. The catch-phrase "It's that man again," appears repeatedly. Adequate entertainment. 6/10