The Snoop Sisters (NBC 1973-1974)

The Snoop Sister

The Snoop Sisters (NBC 1973-1974) is a charming and often amusing relic of 1970s television, a short lived series that blended cozy mystery with a touch of the absurd. This series, which aired as part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie, stars Helen Hayes and Mildred Natwick as Ernesta and Gwendolyn Snoop, two spinster sisters who are also successful mystery novelists. Their fictional experience leads them to believe they possess a unique insight into real-life crimes. The sisters’ self-assured attitude often lands them in situations that are more perilous than they anticipate.

The premise of the show is simple but effective: the Snoop Sisters, confident in their crime-solving abilities, find themselves mixed up in actual murders. The series is not trying to be a hard-boiled police procedural, instead relying on the lighthearted tone generated by the interactions of the two leads, and their eccentric approach to solving mysteries. Hayes and Natwick have a wonderful chemistry, portraying their characters with wit and warmth, their different personalities bouncing well off of each other. Natwick’s Gwendolyn is the more flamboyant of the two while Hayes portrays Ernesta as the more practical and grounded.

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Adding a touch of the conventional to the series is their nephew, NYPD Lieutenant Steve Ostrowski, played by Bert Convy. He spends his time trying to keep his aunts out of trouble as they blunder from one clue to another, often right into the thick of danger. Lt. Ostrowski enlists the help of an ex-con named Barney, played by Lou Antonio, who has a somewhat grudging respect for the sisters despite his reservations about their approach to crime fighting. The interplay between this group of characters is the core of the show’s appeal and it is clear that they are having fun in their roles.

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The series, which lasted only five 90-minute episodes, managed to cram a lot into each episode. These included some memorable moments such as the appearance of rock star Alice Cooper as a character known as “The Prince”, who assists the sisters in their investigation of a group of Satanists. This particular episode remains a real stand-out in the memory of many fans and demonstrates the sometimes wacky nature of the show.

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The Snoop Sisters is a fun mix of mystery and comedy, with the sisters’ unconventional methods and somewhat unrealistic approach to solving crimes providing the humor. The show does not take itself too seriously and benefits from the knowing performances of its cast. It’s an enjoyable piece of television history, a fun curio for fans of classic TV and those with a fondness for a lighter style of mystery storytelling. The series is certainly worth revisiting for its charm and for the performances of its leads. 

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.