Nancy Drew: Mystery in Hollywood Hills

By Nicky VanValkenburgh

Remember those suspenseful mystery books for girls, written by Carolyn Keene?  Nancy Drew books are over 75 years old, and America’s favorite teen detective has finally made the transition to the big screen. Nancy Drew (played by Emma Roberts) accompanies her father (Tate Donovan) on a business trip to Los Angeles, where she uncovers clues about the death of a beautiful Hollywood movie star who perished under mysterious circumstances. As a subplot, Nancy discovers the meaning of friendship in the fast-living, self-indulgent world of Hollywood.

Interview with Jennifer Fisher

I‘m chatting with writer Jennifer Fisher of Nancy Drew Sleuth.com and soon-to-be-published book, “Clues for Real Life: The Classic Wit and Wisdom of Nancy Drew.”
 
Fisher served as a consultant on the Nancy Drew movie, which enabled her to proofread the screenplay, visit the movie set, meet the actors, and share her insights with the filmmakers.
 
”I visited movie set while they were filming scenes at the Delia Draycott mansion, which was so neat to see brought to life. They also used some of my Nancy Drew book collection for a scene at the beginning of the movie, which was a lot of fun,” said Fisher.

One of best things about the movie is that the filmmakers didn’t “over modernize” the main character or take too much creative license with Nancy’s character. In the past 75 years, Nancy Drew’s speech and clothes may have changed, but at the heart she’s always been an inquisitive sleuth who wants to solve mysteries more than anything else.
 
”The classic storytelling elements should never be messed with when it comes to Nancy Drew--or fans might riot,” says Fisher, with a laugh.
 
True to tradition, Emma Roberts’ character is a throwback to the classic Nancy Drew from the first 56 books by Carolyn Keene. Emma portrays Nancy as a inquisitive 16-year-old, with a vintage preppy style. “She is wholesome and good, and in love with a good mystery.  Daring and bold, inquisitive and curious, never one to back down from helping others and solving a case.”
 
Serving as a movie consultant was a dream-come-true for Fisher, who also holds a JD Law Degree from Texas Tech University.  “I'm not a practicing attorney at this time, as I’m having too much fun with all the Nancy Drew consulting and writing that I also do."
 
Her upcoming projects include hosting the Nancy Drew Convention in California, and writing a book which focuses on the 75 year history of Nancy Drew, plus a biography about the original Carolyn Keene, whose real name is Mildred Wirt Benson.

Click here for more film reviews