The Snoop Sisters

Long before Angela Lansbury brightened TV screens as the mystery writing sleuth of "Murder, She Wrote," Helen Hayes, the first lady of the American theater, joined forces with film veteran Mildred Natwick to solve crimes as "The Snoop Sisters," one of four rotating segments during the second season of The NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie.

"The Snoop Sisters" had rather obvious roots in Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries but also tried to be a senior citizen revamping of "McMillan and Wife," which was the product of the same producers. Hayes and Natwick are delightful, but for obvious reasons a show starring two aged performers lacked the slam-bang action that viewers might have preferred in the cop heavy atmosphere of the 1973-74 TV season.

Lacking the wit or clever plotting of "Columbo," this series never got off the ground. Even a guest appearance by then red-hot rocker Alice Cooper in one episode failed to enliven the proceedings. After four 90 minute episodes, "The Snoop Sisters" joined the rest of The NBC Wednesday (and at midseason, Tuesday) Mystery Movie segments ("Banacek," "Tenafly," and "Faraday and Company") on the trash heap of cancelled programs.

No finer ladies ever graced the TV. Classy dressers, sophisticated and just charming. Indeed ahead of their time. Numerous guest appearances but the best was their driving skills. Hahahahaha.

As in the classic Olympics of yesteryear before today's crass sellouts where 10s are a dime a dozen, in classic understatement I never give 10s, so don't let my "9" fool you, as it's the highest I give. I was glad to see both Hayes & Natwick nominated for an Emmy for this show (1974?) but was sad it had to go to just the latter. Having seen all the episodes I can vouch for how their brilliant & intuitive tag-team acting and repartee is just outstanding. As some have said, they were evidently ahead of their time to a sadly unappreciative audience undeserving of them. If you ever have the chance to get the DVDs, take it; you'll be glad you did, seeing these two classic gems shine easily carrying their lesser costars, growing not just older but better. The great Hayes didn't gain the title "First Lady of the American Theater" for nothing, and outstanding Natwick is surely her peer!

I remember the Alice Cooper episode very well. He sang "Sick Things". Quite an unexpected treat for young Cooper fans.

"The Snoop Sisters" starred Helen Hayes, Mildred Natwick, Lou Antonio, and Bert Convy. Unfortunately, it never attracted an audience. Like the later, much better "Ellery Queen," it was about ten years too early. The golden ager TV boom - the breakout hits "The Golden Girls" and "Murder, She Wrote" didn't happen until a decade later.

"The Snoop Sisters" sported some fabulous guest stars and was silly as all get-out. Because it was forced into a 90-minute time slot, it seems slow. The obviousness of the murders on "Murder, She Wrote," didn't stop it from becoming a hit, however, so it's unlikely that was the real problem with "The Snoop Sisters." Like MSW, it relied heavily on style instead of substance and taken on that basis, it was an entertaining series.

With formidable and adorable stars like Hayes and Natwick, it's a shame that this series appeared on TV when it did. Timing, as they say, is everything.