This serial was filmed in in June and early July 1957. The farm sequences were shot in the San Fernando Valley, while the Burbank studio lot and buildings doubled for Bayport. Viewers can tell not a lot of expense went into this teleplay.
Although the decision having been made not to adapt one of the Hardy Boys books this time out, the story line was original. The five principal cast members returned from first Hardy Boys serial. Tim Considine as Frank Hardy and Tommy Kirk as Joe Hardy; Carole Ann Campbell as Iola Morton and Sarah Selby as Aunt Gertrude; and Russ Conway again appeared as the boy's father Fenton Hardy, though in a much smaller role this time.
Some other actors in this episode are: John Baer as Eric Pierson; Hugh Sanders as Mr. Binks; Bob Amsberry as Sam the Farmer; Andy Clyde as Lacey; Yvonne Lime as Gloria Binks; John Harmon as Bray.
This third and final episode series sees Frank Hardy has discovered girls, annoying younger brother Joe, who is bored and longing for another mystery to solve. Joe and Iola find a new mystery at an old abandoned farm, where they find animals still living on an farm that appears to be abandoned and appear to b under fed, but then there are signs of someone taking care of them. As Iola is wanting to get away from the "spooky old farm ", she runs into several people asking why she was there. When Iola summons Frank, he rides out to talk with Joe and Joe cons Frank into helping him solve this new mystery.
It was entertaining enough, not what kids of today would like, but then there are some who prefer the older shows. I would watch this with grandchildren, just show them how life used to be.
