The Snoop Sisters: The Complete Series

Ernesta and Gwendolyn Snoop are sisters extraordinaire. They live together in NYC after Gwendolyn's husband died. They are elderly, smart, classy, feisty and possessed of a curiosity that gets them constantly into trouble. In particular, they just cannot leave a mystery alone; unable to suppress their powers of observation and deductive reasoning. Should I mention their ability to fib their way out of most situations? You'll have to watch the show to see Gwendolyn say, with a straight face, "Exterminating is my hobby. I read palms professionally."We first meet the sisters when Ernesta, casual in her striped pajamas, clutches a letter opener as she intones, "I'll kill you. If you come any closer, I'll kill you." She plunges the letter opener into the desktop - at which sits Gwendolyn in her pink peignoir, writing down every word Ernesta says.Ernesta is a famed mystery writer, working on her new book. She continues her narrative, "Bewilderment replaced his rage and fear. Suddenly, she felt the familiar pity for those faded blue eyes..."Gwendolyn inturrupts, "I think, Dear, Howard's eyes were brown in the last chapter."And there, in a nutshell, is their relationship. They work together well, support each other and gently correct each other. They're so close they can finish each others' sentences. Actually, often they don't need to complete the sentence to know what the other is thinking. The dears are dearly loved by their nephew, Police Lieutenant Steven Ostrowski. Given their age, and living alone in the city, he has hired Barney to be their chauffeur and general factotum.Poor Barney. The sisters are always talking him into doing things he knows he oughtn't. In the episode, "Corpse and Robbers", the three of them actually end up in the pokey for a short time. The Lieutenant is furious: "OK Barney. How do you explain this?"Barney: "Poorly"Lt: "Your job is what?"Barney: "Take care of the ladies. See that they don't get into trouble."Lt: "Which means?"Barney: "You gotta put more men on the job."Ernesta: "Steven, don't be harsh with Barney."Gwendolyn: "It wasn't his fault."Ernesta: "We overpowered him."There is a lot of delightful humor in this series, situational, dialogue, and character interactions, and including slapstick. Helen Hayes (plays Ernesta) and Mildred Natwick (Gwendolyn) are old pros. and their interactions are seamless. Hayes has a smile that could light up a football stadium, and is especially adorable when attempting to look innocent. I remember Natwick from one of my favorite classic movies, "The Court Jester", with Danny Kaye. She is Griselda, "The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon! The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true!"Comparing this to other series, this has the silly comedy and characters that remind me of "Get Smart". It has the nice plotting and deductive reasoning that remind me of "Murder She Wrote". It has the character chemistry and charm that remind me of "Rockford Files". Great Guest Stars: Paulette Goddard (her very last screen appearance), Art Carney (plays Barney in the pilot, only), Victor Buono, Geraldine Page, Walter Pidgeon, Steve Allen, Joan Blondell, George Maharis, Alice Cooper(!), Vincent Price, William DeVane and Roddy McDowall.The pilot originally aired on ABC in December 1972. There followed only four 90-minute episodes, which appeared in rotation on NBC's "Wednesday Mystery Movie", along with 3 other shows, including "Banacek". It is a shame it did not find a wider audience, because Hayes and Natwick are a real treat to watch in action.Happy Reader

I am a mystery devourer of the highest order-- I've read, watched and heard pretty much anything involving a real-life or fictitious whodunnit on which I could get my hands. "The Snoop Sisters" stands out, with its pair of eccentric sleuths, excellent writing, supernatural themes, and long list of guest spots by great character actors-- for instance, Cyril Ritchard as a campy warlock who runs a sorcery supply shop in Manhattan to earn a few extra bucks. I strongly recommend this series.

We are having fun watching these, not for the plots - that's for sure - but for the stunt casting that was so popular in the 1970s. Plus the production values, sets, street scenes, etc. are a hoot. I don't know how I missed this in the 70s when it ran, because I remember the 'Sunday movie' rotation with 'Banacek'. The episode with Vincent Price is particularly entertaining as that great actor gives his role the full Vincent Price treatment. Perhaps he, Helen Hayes and Mildred Natwick reminisced about their theater and Hollywood days.

My loved the DVD snoop sister she enjoyed the movies.

Love these movies. Wish there'd been more made. Well written, acted, & plots are good. Fun!!

Mildred Natwick is the main reason you want this set. She is like a fine champagne or a delightful painting in a perfect frame. The supporting actors change from the pilot to the short lived 4 episode regular season, but both casts are fine, but the most important thing, Natwick, doesn’t. In costumes that are sometimes zany or whimsical but always perfect, Natwick turns her zappy one liners and preposterous situation saves into a wonderful character – consistent thru out the run. They don’t write ‘em like this anymore. The best of these shows are really confections, the drama such as it is is strictly on the surface or just below it – light and frothy/rich and creamy: good ice cream or a bag of chips or a plate of homemade Christmas cookies. The episodes with Vincent Price [Black Day for Bluebird] who seems to be having an outrageous amount of fun, and Cyril Ritchard/Joan Blondell/Alice Cooper! [Devil Made Me Do It] are over the top and awesome – better than the great pilot I think. The final 2 shows are more drama/plot driven but have contrived story lines, even for TV, that feel forced. But Natwick’s the thing – RIP dear.

Yes, the price is twice what it should be for five episodes. Nevertheless,I'm pleased that someone is interested in packaging these little rememberedprograms.When this series debuted I was quite familiar with the work of the legendaryHelen Hayes, but had just a vague awareness of Mildred Natwick. For thosewho need their memory jogged, Miss Natwick was Oscar nominated for "Barefootin the Park", and years earlier was a major highlight in Danny Kaye's classic"The Court Jester", as well as Hitchcock's "The Trouble With Harry". But it was"The Snoop Sisters" that at last made me a fan of this marvelous scene-stealingactress. For her role it this series she won a well deserved Emmy Award.A previous reviewer mentioned that the programs seem a bit slow. That's true,especially when one is used to hour mysteries, but keep in mind that "The Snoop Sisters"was part of the rotating Mystery Movie series and thus are 30 minutes longer than weare used to. That extra length, plus the professional stature of Hayes and Natwick,attracted an unusual number of top flight guest stars (the great Geraldine Page, for instance).My favorite episode is "Black Day for a Bluebeard" (Vincent Price, Tammy Grimes,Roddy McDowall, Mort Sahl, William Devane) in which there is a hilarious battle ofwits between Price and Natwick, both at the top of their game.

I hadn't seen the show, but I have heard the title many times. I took a chance on buying this and I'm glad that I did buy it!! THANK YOU

These films are real collector items and I love them. The Snoop Sisters doing their stuff and driving their police officer nephew wild - magnificent. Loved them when they first appeared and even more now. No gratuitous violence or swearing; just two old ladies showing the world how to solve those most unusual cases.

Wonderful series and awesome product.

On a du mal à y croire, mais c'est amusant tout de même.2 étoiles = je n'aime pas3 étoiles = j'aimeJe voulais donner 'pas mauvais, mais pas bon, non plus' 2½ étoiles ?

After reading the other reviewers review must admit was a bit worried about ordering it. But I got mine yesterday and just got finished watching the pilot film and the episode following and experienced no such problems. But then again I was viewing them on a Blu-Ray player maybe that had something to do with the increased quality. As I know that what the previous reviewer stated has been the case with previous releases by Visual Entertainment I had purchased the Sordid Lives series a couple years back and was greatly displeased due to the same reasons extremely noisy reading of the discs and also there was some picture breakup issues. But maybe if you have a Blu-Ray that eliminates those issues not sure because as I have said had no such problems plays beautifully the restoration is amazing and also great seeing the original bumper for the NBC Mystery Movie.The show of course is phenomenal I am 24 and had been introduced to the show a few years ago by a friend who had provided me with copies from old TV airings and was in awe. Mildred Natwick/Helen Hayes had superb chemistry the story-lines were superb not really a lot of gore just a good mystery tv show. The old Lincoln was cute and Helen Hayes driving it even funnier how she could never quite seem to handle the car. Not to mention the cast Burt Convy a truly underrated actor was great as their nephew the police officer. Although I must say had wished they could have kept Art Carney as the bodyguard/chauffeur Barney granted Lou Antonio was good in the role but have always been a fan of Mr. Carney, perhaps he had wanted too much in salary or something not sure. He just seemed to have had a better chemistry with Hayes/Natwick then Antonio.And the guest stars Paulette Goddard who hadn't really done that much acting in years not sure how they convinced her out of retirement but she was superb in what would prove to be her last role. Geraldine Page legendary actress one of my personal favorites, her roles in Dear Heart/Trip to Bountiful were superb. Vincent Price great classic actor, Roddy McDowall another underrated legend, and more that i can't think of at the moment.This is a great show and a great dvd release granted the MSRP is a tad high but its well worth the price for the enjoyment you'll derive from this release. I highly suggest it to everyone.P.S. a little tidbit for you classic film buffs/Paulette Goddard fans. In the pilot film at the end of the opening credits as it shows that painting when scrolled down we see Paulette Goddard was a painting done of her in tune with her role in the underrated 1945 classic Kitty.

If you are expecting many hours of viewing, you will be disappointed. However, if you enjoy Helen Hayes in her later years, with Mildred Natwick by her side, solving mysteries in the spirit of Miss Marple or later on, Jessica Fletcher, you wont be disappointed at all. Yes its from a few decades back, but for those who lived during those days, lots of great reminders of things that were. Helen and Mildred are a delight together, and its is a shame there were not more episodes.