Before Jessica Fletcher started suspiciously turning up whenever a murder occurs, there was mystery novelist Ernesta Snoop and her sister Gwendolyn (call her “G”) Snoop Nicholson, who happily types out Ernesta’s manuscripts. Through five 90 minute episodes, this duo solved murders, found suspected dead persons alive and even proved their own innocence in an attempted murder! They did all of this surrounded by familiar faces, such as Vincent Price, Roddy McDowall, Geraldine Page, Jill Clayburgh, Bert Convy, Bo Svenson, Bernie Casey, Katherine Helmand, and Alice Cooper. Yes, you read that correctly! Alice Cooper even performs a song and does a bit of decent acting! I found THE SNOOP SISTERS at a thrift store during a day trip in a different town. Neither my sister nor I had ever heard of this series. I initially thought it was British, but when my sister read the back, I realized I was wrong. According to the box, THE SNOOP SISTERS was part of a rotating NBC Mystery Movie series, which explains the limited number of lengthy episodes.
Helen Hayes as Ernesta and Mildred Natwick as “G” have fantastic sisterly chemistry. They finish each other sentences and sometimes communicate without even completing a sentence. If they overhear their police detective nephew discussing the case as they are leaving a room, they turn around in unison to overhear more. Together, they make for a delightfully quirky duo who will not stop until the mystery is solved. The pilot episode, “The Female Instinct” (S1 E0, according to IMDb) is the best in the short-lived series. The story revolves around a former movie star who is murdered after she announces the impending publication of a scandalous tell-all book. Ernesta and “G” knew the woman, so they take it upon themselves to investigate, with the occasional assistance of their ex-con chauffeur. Eccentric characters come and go, culminating with all the suspects gathered in a drawing room for the big reveal. It seems like a typical whodunit, but the charming idiosyncrasies of Ernesta and “G” elevate the plot. Plus, the sisters get to pursue the murderer in their 1930’s Lincoln as their nephew pursues them in a commandeered ice cream truck! The best thing about the pilot episode is it allows THE SNOOP SISTERS to naturally be their quirky, curious, incisive selves, with verbal word play that is clever and funny. With maybe the exception of “Fear is a Free-Throw” (S1 E2), where “G” is a prime suspect in an attempted murder, the other episodes tone down their quirky charm and instead focus more on the guest stars or placing the sisters in silly situations. I mean, yes, it is amusing to see Ernesta and “G” dressed up as the Frankenstein monster and his Bride in “A Black Day for Bluebeard” (S1 E4), but it lacks that special something from the pilot. In conclusion… THE SNOOP SISTERS may not become my favorite mystery series, but it is an enjoyable early ‘70’s romp. All of the guest stars are fun, but the title characters are the reason to watch. When Ernesta and “G” are allowed to take the spotlight, they shine bright with eccentric glitter. So, pull up a cozy chair and enjoy THE SNOOP SISTERS as they snoop and snoop and snoop!
Freak Out,
JLH
P.S. In case you’re an Alice Cooper completist, the rock legend appears in “The Devil Made Me Do It” (S1 E3)
