The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977–1979): Season 2, Episode 9 - Acapulco Spies - full transcript

I think my father could be
in serious trouble.

You father's most secretive
when he's working.

All he told me was he was searching
for someone here in Acapulco.

"Fenton Hardy is our prisoner.

"To release him, we require
his files now in your possession."

We're taking a stand
for all the girls

who are going to be ripped
off in the next 24 hours

by two guys who want
to "get down to business."

Hey, Joe, that kite is ripped!

Joe?

What's happening to him?



NARRATOR:
Tonight on the Hardy Boys,

The Acapulco Spies.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

(PANTING)

(SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

(PANTING)

Operator, I want to place a
long-distance call to the United States.

Bay Port, Massachusetts.
Thank you, operator.

FRANK: Let's see.

JOE: Wait a minute.

Here, let's see.

Wait a minute.

Forensic work
is an exact science.



Patience is
a mandatory prerequisite.

And mine's worn out.

All I want to do is see.
It is my fingerprint.

Yes, but it's my theory.

And it works.
Now you can look.

Yeah. Yeah, they match.

That's right.

With this technique, you could plant a
fingerprint anywhere you wanted one.

Joe, we're supposed to solve crimes,
not find ways to perpetrate them.

Oh, it's been a slow week.

Besides, it creates
a precedent, Frank.

And if I could transfer a
fingerprint from a glass in your room

to a slide down here, any
fingerprint could be simulated like that.

You could destroy the most
valuable piece of forensic evidence

in one glorious moment.

(PHONE RINGING)

I got it.

Hello?

Yes, this is Frank Hardy.

Yes, I'll accept the charges.

Dad?

Frank? It's good
to hear your voice, son.

Well, it's good to hear yours.
What's going on down there?

The operator said
it was an emergency.

You know the Mallik file I was
working on before I left for Acapulco.

Could you bring it down to me?

Sure, where is it?

It's in the top
left-hand drawer of my desk.

It's in a lock box. You won't be
able to open it. I have the key.

Don't try to force it open.
Just bring me the box.

And take the first flight
you can get

and register in at the Play
a Hotel under another name.

Use Fredericks.

And I'll get in touch with you
the day you arrive.

Now, if I can't get in touch
with you...

No, no, no, no, wait a
minute, Frank. Wait a minute.

I'm gonna send somebody else
in my place.

I think it is better that
there be no direct contact.

Whoever I send will come up
to you at the hotel and say,

"Oh, I just have to talk
to an American."

Dad? Dad, are you all right?

Don't be surprised
at who I send.

It's imperative that no one know
who you are or why you're here

until the contact is made.

Is that understood?

Well, no, but...

Let the contact tell you
about me in his own time.

He may be under surveillance
or something,

so just bear with him,
all right?

Dad, who is Mallik?

Well, he's one of
my most wanted...

Dad? Dad?

Dad, what happened?

Hello?
Dad, are you all right?

WOMAN ON PA:
Mr. Ramirez to the front desk.

WOMAN ON PA: Mr. Ramirez
to the front desk, please.

Any sign of them?
No, those creeps.

I hope their surfboard got
stuck in the revolving door.

Well, those beautiful, blond
Californians cleaned us out.

They got all of our money
and our airline tickets.

You're kidding.

You're not kidding.

Well, that's the last time I let anybody
use my room to make a phone call.

We've got
to think of something.

Maybe we can
thumb a ride over the border.

Jackie, before we get
out of this country,

we've got to get out
of this hotel.

They've got our passports.

And they don't give 'em back
until we settle our bill.

Well, we'll just have to
call your parents.

My parents are off
somewhere in Europe.

We're gonna have to
call yours.

Mine are on a cruise
in the Greek Islands.

Oh, swell.

Why did you let them do that?

Maybe things will look better after
a couple of hours of sun by the pool.

Oh, Jackie,
what are we going to do?

Come on,
we'll think of something.

No Dad at the airport,
no one here to meet us.

Well, maybe
he left us a message.

Maybe.

We have reservation.

Welcome to Acapulco.

I hope you will have
a pleasant stay.

(FENTON GRUNTING)

(DOOR OPENING)

If you throw that in my face,
I'll twist your head off.

When do I get out of here?

When the time is right.

When's that?

Look, when do I eat?

When the time is right.

He's weakening.
He'll crack.

Mallik.

Mallik.

What?

Why does that name
sound so familiar?

What are you doing, Frank?

If we could only get inside.

You could break it open.

No, Dad said not to.
We better wait.

We have to do something.

The first thing we should do
is put it someplace safe.

How long ago
did Mr. Hardy check out?

Well, he is not
officially checked out.

We're still
having his passport.

But I haven't seen him
in several days.

Did he leave any message
at all?

Uh, none.

We've got to
think of something.

We can't keep signing
for packs of gum.

I told you before
we'll think of something.

We just
thought of something.

We did?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, please page us
if there are any calls.

Of course.

Thank you.

Well, what are we gonna do
around here until we're contacted?

What are we going to say?

I've got a couple of
wonderful ideas.

Joe, this isn't the time
to be thinking about girls.

I'll take care of them.

Hey, hey,
they see us.

Jackie...

Oh, this may
sound strange,

but we just had to talk
to a fellow American.

We've been expecting you.

You have?

Yeah, let's get down
to business.

Hey, not so fast.
Give us a break.

Let's at least
get out of the lobby.

Oh, let's get out
of the hotel.

There are some great places
to see in Acapulco.

No, we're not interested.

And she is right,
my friends.

If you want thrills
and excitement in Acapulco,

Ramone is your man.

Let's go,
let's go have some fun, huh?

Hey, Joe, are you all set? Yeah.

Happy flight.

Jackie, I don't understand.
Just what are we doing?

We're freeloading.

We're taking a stand
for all the girls

who are going to be ripped
off in the next 24 hours

by two guys who want
to "get down to business."

They're our ticket home.

Yeah, but I like 'em.

I like them, too. But they're
enjoying the pleasure of our company.

And look, they're having
a wonderful time.

We came here to find Dad.
What am I doing jumping off a cliff?

We're playing the game.
We're obviously being watched.

All they have to do
is tell us where Dad is.

Maybe they're afraid of listening
devices or something. I don't know.

All set?

Oh, ready as I'll ever be.

You sure you want
to go through with this?

I've hang-glided before.

Yeah, but not from heights
like these.

Don't worry, I'll make it.

Okay. Smooth sailing.

We'll see you
on the beach.

Be careful.

I will.

Sue,

I think you know
what Frank and I want.

You're going to have to
come through sooner or later.

Is that right?

Don't let the fact
that we're young fool you.

We've had a lot of experience
in this kind of thing.

I can see that.

I think it's imperative
that we get together tonight.

Before or after dinner?

I'm not worried about dinner.

I do need to keep
my strength up.

Well, I suppose we could
get together during dinner.

During. Sure.

Maybe the restaurant
could sell tickets.

Happy landings.

What did I say?

Hey, everybody ready.
Hey, you need this.

Remember,
nothing to worry about.

All you have to worry is
about taking the up currents.

That'll always take you over
the rocks and onto the beach.

I have to talk to you.

MAN: Hey, Ramone,
is this right?

Hey, not that way,
please.

Hey, look,
this has gone on long enough.

You've got to tell me
what happened.

We've got a big problem.

But how did you get involved?

I don't know.
Some smooth-talking American.

Maybe he really was in
trouble. But, well, now we are.

Tell me about it.

I will tonight, over dinner.

Good luck.

Thank you.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

(CHEERING)

(ALL CHEERING)

Hey, Joe! Stop!
That kite is ripped!

(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

(GRUNTING)

Something's wrong.

Joe?

What's happening to him?

I thought he said
he'd hang-glided before.

He has many times.

There's plenty of wind.
Something's wrong.

Stay with it, Joe.

Stay with it.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Come on, Joe!

Angle it down!

Bring it in, Joe.

Bring it home.

(GRUNTING)

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

SUE: Joe, are you all right?

Ask me in about five minutes
when the rest of me lands.

That has to be one of the finest
displays of hang-gliding I've ever seen.

It's amazing what self-preservation
can do for your technique.

It was perfect
in the pre-flight check.

What happened?

Someone cut through this
deliberately.

I think I have a pretty
good idea who did it.

Well, we've seen
wrecked rooms before, but...

Never completely
demolished.

I'd say our man on top of the cliff
made a pit stop on his way home.

You know, there's something
really personally offending to me

about someone coming in
and tearing apart our room.

He was here.

Looking for that file.

While we were sitting
on top of the cliff.

Those two girls
set us up, Joe.

They're working
for the other side.

But they knew
the code phrase.

That doesn't mean
they got it from Dad,

unless they got it
under duress.

Look at the way they stalled us
and kept us away from the room

so it could be ripped apart.

Oh, you can't be
sure of that, Frank.

Well, we will be tonight.

(BAND PLAYING)

Good evening, señores.
May I help you?

Ah, yes, we're with
the young ladies over here.

Go ahead,
enjoy your dinner.

Thank you.

Hi.

Hello there.

I should apologize
for not inviting you

back to our room
this afternoon.

But it was such a mess
when we got there.

It was?

Like in destroyed.

You two are going to tell us everything
you know about our father's disappearance

or we're going to
shake it out of you.

And we're going to keep
shaking until you tell us the truth.

I think there's been
a large misunderstanding.

Oh, good evening, Mr. Cartell.

I'm sorry, I didn't have
a reservation for you,

but if you will...

My usual table
will be adequate.

Besides, there's some very
good friends I must say hello to.

Warm a decanter
of Rothschild '67.

Right away, sir.

You came up to us and said that you
just had to talk to a fellow American.

That's the code phrase,
almost.

I'm sorry.

But we really did need
to talk to a fellow American.

We don't know your father.

When I think back
on our conversation,

what you two must
have been thinking.

(LAUGHING)

We thought you were two of
the fastest workers we'd ever met.

(PEOPLE CLAPPING)

All of which means we're
no nearer to finding our father.

Excuse me, perhaps I might be
of some help in that regard.

You're Frank and Joe Hardy.

I recognize you from
your father's photographs.

You know our father?

But of course.

He's been staying with me
for a couple of days.

Well, you see,
we're old friends.

For some reason, he didn't
want to stay at a hotel.

I don't know why.

Your father can be
most secretive.

I'm afraid you have us
at a disadvantage.

Forgive me.

Sometimes a familiar figure forgets
to acquaint himself with strangers.

I am Alexander Cartell.

How do you do?

Pleased to meet you.

Cartell. I don't think I remember
my father mentioning that name.

Well, we haven't seen
one other for many years.

Well, let me introduce you to some
friends. Jackie, Sue, Mr. Cartell.

Ladies, I'm delighted.

I don't believe your father knew
that you were coming down to Mexico.

Where is he?

Oh, he had to fly to Mexico
City. Some urgent business.

He should be back tomorrow.

Perhaps you gentlemen could join us
at my home for dinner tomorrow night.

I own the estate on the hill
overlooking the harbor.

Perhaps you have noted it.

That would be wonderful.
Thank you.

Fine.

Until tomorrow night then.
Ladies.

I think we just made
our first real contact.

Just what is it
that you guys are into?

We don't know yet.

There's something
about that man.

I can't put my finger on it,

but I don't trust him.

Neither do we.
That's why we're seeing him.

Well, I guess this is where
we better part company.

Couldn't we just
negotiate for dinner?

There's nothing you can do
about your father tonight.

I think
we could be persuaded.

(GRUNTING)

CARLOS: That was a foolish
thing to attempt, Señor Hardy.

Mallik.

Don't say that.

There is no one
that exists by that name.

I have proof.

I know.

And your sons
have that proof.

Yes, they're here.

You almost lost one
on the cliff today.

Let's hope
they're all right.

I'm afraid
Carlos exceeded his orders.

They'll give me what I want.

They're gambling
with your life.

They're my sons. They won't
betray my confidence.

Another life in the balance
may help their decision.

It was all so long ago.

Our friendship should
have transcended boundaries.

And loyalties, too?

It's all corrupt.

You know that as well as I do.

The ultimate loyalty
is to survive.

I am just sorry
you've forced me into this.

JACKIE: That was really fun,
you know. They are pretty nice.

They were nice. I'm
going to go inside.

Okay, I'll meet you back
at the room, I'm tired.

Okay.

(SCREAMS)

(GUN FIRES)

Pull!

Good shot.

Thank you.

Pull!

You have
a beautiful place here.

It serves my needs.

I wonder if I could see the
room my father was staying in?

Are all his things
still there?

Yes, but why should you
want to see his room?

Pull!

My father usually keeps a notebook
with him when he's working on a case.

If he doesn't have it with him,
then it may still be in the room.

It might give us a clue
to his disappearance.

Disappearance?
He hasn't disappeared.

I told you,
he has gone to Mexico City.

He'll be back in 24 hours.

I think my father could be
in serious trouble.

I'm distressed to hear that.
Pull!

As I told you, your father's
most secretive when he's working.

All he told me was he was searching
for someone here in Acapulco.

Now, if we knew
who that person was...

Do you know?

If I knew, then I'd be acting
on that information.

I'm glad
to hear you say that.

If there is anything you need,
please let me know.

This is my city.

I'll remember that.

Pull!

(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA)

Joe. It's Jackie, she's gone.
She's disappeared.

I can't find her anywhere.

Hold it, hold it,
what are you talking about?

Sit down.

What's the matter?

Jackie didn't come back
to our room last night.

She didn't even call.

You have no idea where she is?

No!

I found her bracelet in some
bushes close to our room.

I'm so worried.

I'm sure
nothing's happened to her.

You stay here. Frank and I
will check it out.

Don't worry, we'll find her.

Okay, thanks.

I'd say good morning
if there was any light.

Who are you?

I'm Jackie Ryan.

You're Fenton Hardy,
aren't you?

Yeah.

I know your sons.

Sue and I, my girlfriend Sue,
at the hotel,

we're here on vacation and...

The boys know
you are in trouble.

They're trying to find you.

But you...

How did you get in here?

A man, some big man.

That was Carlos.

What do they want with me?

Look, they're just trying
to load the odds.

See, my sons have got
something these people want.

And they'll do anything
to get it.

And they know
I won't crack.

My sons know that, too.

But with you here...

What's going to happen to us?

(SHUSHING)

Jackie, we're going to
get out of here.

I don't know how yet, but we're
going to get out of here. Don't worry.

Where are my sons now?

I don't know.

They met a friend of yours.

Alexander Cartell.

I searched the house
and there was nothing.

I talked to the police.

They said they're not interested
in a case that can't be proved.

As far as they are concerned,
Dad's in Mexico City.

Well, we've got
to do something.

What do you do in a poker game
when other guy's got all the cards

and you're looking
at a pair of deuces?

You run a bluff.

Right.

You got it.

There's a distinct
index fingerprint

in the upper right-hand corner
of this passport.

And the passport
belongs to your father.

That's right.
We got it from the hotel safe.

This is our attaché case.

I still don't understand
what you're going to do.

You will.

JOE: Okay, I'm gonna take
this piece of tape

and lay it over
Dad's fingerprint, like this.

Now, I've got the fingerprint
on the tape.

Put the tape on the clasp
of the briefcase.

When you peel it back,

there is Dad's fingerprint.

It worked.

I still don't understand.

What I've done

is taken Dad's fingerprint
from the passport

and transferred it to the
clasp on the attaché case.

And what good is that
going to do us?

It's going to help us find
him, and maybe Jackie.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

(SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Oh.

You are very prompt.

I'm afraid your father won't
be dining with us this evening.

I have just received this
most disturbing communication.

"Fenton Hardy is our prisoner.

"To release him, we require
his files now in your possession.

"You have 24 hours from receipt
of this letter to secure the files.

"Details of delivery
and exchange will follow."

Naturally, it's unsigned.

Now, I have no idea what
case your father was working on,

or the vicious people
that he must be dealing with.

I do not possess the files
that that letter is talking about.

I'm just praying that you do.

This is a bluff.
They don't have our father.

He was in
our hotel room tonight.

But that's impossible.

According to that letter...

We proved it ourselves.

Our room was
wrecked yesterday.

Undoubtedly by the same people
that have our father prisoner.

We had dusted our room
for fingerprints

to see if we could get a line on
who had done it. Came up empty.

Somebody was
in our room today.

Again, we dusted
for fingerprints

and again we came
up empty. Almost.

We found a fingerprint on my
briefcase that belongs to my father.

That means he was in there,
and not long ago.

But are you certain
that the print is his?

You can see for yourself. We
matched it to one we keep on file.

Do you have
a magnifying glass?

Yes, I believe so.

I think you'll find
they match up perfectly.

Yes, they certainly match.

You haven't called in
the police yet, have you?

No, not yet. I wanted to talk
to you both first.

Good. I think the best thing
we can do is sit tight

and wait for our father
to get in touch with us.

I agree.

And I only hope
that that's soon.

Under the circumstances, maybe
we can waive dinner for a few nights.

Of course.

And as I said, if there's anything I
can do for you, please let me know.

Thank you.

Good night.

Good night.

FRANK: I think he fell for it.

JOE: All right, let's go.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

Why do I get the feeling
he knows we're following him?

Leading us into
the same trap he led Dad.

Just don't think about it.

Thanks, Frank,
that's a load off my mind.

It looks like he's heading
for somewhere on the harbor.

What is that place?

It's the old prison.

Our guide at the hotel
was telling us about it.

It hasn't been used
in over a century.

Looks like they've recently
reopened for business.

Sue, I want you to drive
to the police station

and bring the police back here
as soon as you can.

Tell them
you've located Jackie

and she's being held prisoner
in the fortress.

Be careful.

I will.

That's uppermost in my mind.

There's the car.

No way. No way. No way.

It's most comforting to know
that you are still here.

But then somehow
I never doubted it.

I must say your sons
are most ingenious.

You see, we've been playing
sort of a cat-and-mouse game.

They almost had me convinced
that you had escaped.

If you've touched them...

Never fear. They're safe.

For now.

But it won't be long
before they hand me your file.

Mallik.

Mallik, just let the girl go.

You don't need her.

I told you not to call me
by that name.

Why not?
You've used it for 30 years.

FENTON: Let me ask you
something, Mallik.

(WHISPERING)
Come on, Joe.

How many secrets do you carry in
your head that could destroy my country?

How many American lives
are on your conscience?

How many loyalties have
you betrayed in the line of duty?

I assure you,
only those that I had to.

Jackie,

I want to introduce you to one of
the most devious and dangerous

international agents
in the world.

A man, a shadowy figure, known
only by the code name Mallik.

Known to me for 15 years
as a friend.

And that friendship
was genuine.

Mallik has been dead
for years.

You should not have tried to find
him at the cost of our friendship.

You seem to forget that I
am no longer in that business.

Business.

That's what it was to you,
a business.

Bacteriological warfare,
wasn't it?

This man bought and sold secrets
that could kill millions of people.

I am a professional.

You are the one who has
betrayed a personal alliance.

No doubt your state department
sent you here because of that.

I am a professional, too.

I've been doing a job.

A job I didn't want.
But one I had to take.

You know, I didn't believe
them, Alex, when they told me.

But you proved it to me.

Don't make
any threatening moves.

My men are all over the place.

Beside, you are too weak
from hunger and exhaustion.

Now, if you want to live,
both of you,

cooperate.

I want that file.

FRANK: Joe, the keys!

You'll never get
out of here alive!

I don't know
how you found me. Huh?

I'll tell you later.

Let's get out of here.

(MEN SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Keep going. I'll lead them off
in another direction.

Joe!

No, we can't let him
do that.

He knows what he's doing.

There must be another way
out of here. Come on.

(SIREN WAILING)

(SCREAMS)

(SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

(MEN SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Jackie, are you all right?

(JACKIE EXCLAIMING)

(MEN SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Are you all right?

I'm fine now. Yeah.

You must be Fenton Hardy.

Yes.

Where's Joe?

He's coming.

You shouldn't
have come here.

Trying to finish off the
job you started on the cliff?

Where is Señor Cartell?

I locked him
in a room somewhere.

Where?

I don't know.
This is a big place.

I wouldn't know where
to find him.

You're going to tell me.

Well, I'd love to chat, but...

For my own protection.

I knew you'd understand.

Just remember,
keep going with the currents,

shifting your weight
all the time.

And whatever you do, steer
away from those rocks. Okay?

I will.

Hey, by the way,

I'm happy to have found out
that you found your father.

I was supposed
to be your contact.

You were?

That's right.

Good luck, huh?
Okay.

Cartell was a spy.

One of the best.

Unfortunately, he sold his
services to the highest bidder

against the Western alliance.

When the State Department asked me
to come down here and track him down,

I couldn't believe my ears.

But then, when I investigated,
I found out they were right.

You see, that's why
I needed the file on Mallik,

to prove my allegations to
the federal authorities here.

Otherwise, they never
would have believed me.

It would have been like trying
to indict the President.

What's going to
happen to him now?

Extradition.

Formal charges.

Can't bring myself to think
of it as a victory, though.

Why not?

I liked the man.
I trusted him.

A broken trust is...

Well, I feel the loss.

But where's Frank?

He's up there.

FENTON: Up there?

Well, you saved my life. So don't
do anything foolish with yours.

I won't.

If you promise to make
a safe landing,

I'll give you something
to look forward to.

I'll see you on the beach.

Has he ever
done this before?

I taught him
everything he knows.

I know I should find that
comforting, but somehow,

that's what I was afraid of.