With this entry, the series seemed to turn more comic in tone. Ted continues to be the butt of jokes even while he follows Nancy into trouble and helps her escape it. Oddly, however, there’s no romantic feeling from him for her anymore. From this point on, Ted seems like a very reluctant participant in Nancy’s adventures, only acquiescing to her wishes because he realizes he’s keeping her alive. And in this entry, he does exactly that.

When close friend of the family Matt Brandon (Aldrich Bowker) is arrested for murder in Sylvan Lake, Carson and Nancy head there for the summer to prove his innocence. Even though Ted is in the area with his family, it isn’t a good time for Nancy because she becomes jealous when her father (and Ted!) fall for local lady Edna Gregory (Charlotte Wynters). But Nancy is sure that she can crack the case while her father keeps the local police force busy with all the legal niceties. And then she leads the police straight to the evidence against Matt Brandon.

This third film, like the others, moves quickly and doesn’t waste much time. There is a little more depth to the mystery and a wild conclusion involving Nancy and Ted in a biplane without a pilot! A black houseboy, Apollo Johnson (Willie Best) is sure to make modern audiences rather uncomfortable, but he also contributes some humor. I had more problems with the three times the film is speeded up for comic effect (which I generally despise) and poor process photography at the conclusion than with the outdated social mores of that era.

Nancy is more of a whiner here than previously, but she also shows more wherewithal and gumption. Nancy looks foolish trying to cook a big meal by herself and being jealous about her father’s increasing affection for Edna, but she is also smarter and more aggressive about uncovering the real murderers. Again, however, it is Ted who comes to the rescue as their ride in a biplane threatens to end their young lives prematurely.