The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries "Acapulco Spies" #2.9 (1977)

Are Frank and Joe ever at home?, 21 July 2017

Joe and Frank receive an ominous call from their father. He needs them to bring a case file to him in Acapulco. Before he can give much detail, however, the call is cut off. So, Frank and Joe head to Acapulco, but after arriving, they can't locate their father. They are approached by a man claiming to be one of Fenton's friends, but the boys are suspicious. And with good reason as it turns out. This man is holding Mr Hardy hostage in an abandoned prison.

Are Frank and Joe ever at home? Acapulco Spies is Episode 9 in Season 2 and so far they've been to Mexico, Bermuda, Kenya, Egypt, and Transylvania – and I'm pulling these off the top of my head. And don't you just love the way that, regardless of what far-flung destination they may be in, Frank and Joe immediately pick up the best looking women around. Amazing!

Acapulco Spies is about what you expect when you sit down with a Hardy Boys episode. It's good cheesy family friendly fun. One you've watched a season and a half of this stuff, it gets to be fairly predictable. This one does have a few features that make it stand out from the rest of the pack. Craig Stevens in a fine actor and he shows it here. He may in no way look Mexican, but otherwise, he's about as good as you'll find in the series. I also enjoyed Rudy Diaz as Carlos. He's one of the more menacing baddies the Hardy Boys ever encountered. Finally, as a real treat, we're not subjected to any of Shaun Cassidy's singing. That's always a sign of a better episode. A 6/10 from me.

6/10