In the late 1950s, Disney contracted with the Stratemeyer Syndicate and Grosset & Dunlap to produce two Hardy Boys TV serials, starring Tim Considine and Tommy Kirk. The first of the serials, The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure, was aired on The Mickey Mouse Club in 1956 during the show's second season. To appeal to the show's audience, the Hardy Boys were portrayed as younger than in the books, seeming to be 11 or 12 years old. The script, written by Jackson Gillis, was based on the first Hardy Boys book, The Tower Treasure by Edward Stratemeyer. The serial was aired in 19 episodes of 15 minutes each with production costs of $5,700. A second serial, The Mystery of Ghost Farm, followed in 1957, with an original story by Gillis.
Iola's purse is stolen, and Frank and Joe track the suspected thief onto Silas Applegate's property. They spot Silas' plumber and hired hand before Silas comes out and orders them off the property.
2
"A Real Case"
October 3, 1956
Rumor of hidden treasure belonging to old Mr. Applegate spurs a summer-long investigation by the Hardy Boys.
3
"The First Clue"
October 4, 1956
Joe finds Perry hiding in some bushes. Perry gives Joe a gold doubloon and asks him to hold it, then turns himself in.
4
"The Fugitive"
October 5, 1956
The boys find a stash of stolen items from the community in Perry's living quarters. Though he is innocent of the thefts, Perry runs away to avoid capture by the police, when Joe stumbles upon his hiding place and learns the truth.
5
"Applegate's Gold"
October 8, 1956
Rumor of hidden treasure belonging to Old man Applegate, spurs a summer long investigation by the Hardy Boys.
6
"Dig for Treasure"
October 9, 1956
The Boys go looking for treasure, and end up inside Applegate's house.
7
"A Pirate's Chest"
October 10, 1956
Applegate relates to Frank and Joe how he got the gold and how it was stolen.
8
"Boys in Trouble"
October 11, 1956
Someone digs up Applegate's garden to get Frank and Joe in trouble.
9
"The Female Detective"
October 12, 1956
While Frank and Joe wait for their father to get home, Iola goes to the Applegate house to retrieve the pick and shovel.
10
"Iola's Bravery"
October 15, 1956
Hiding from Applegate in the tower, Iola finds Jackley unconscious and tied up. Her screams brings Frank, Joe, and Fenton running.
11
"Footsteps in the Tower"
October 16, 1956
Fenton discovers Boles, the former gardener, hiding in the tower. The Hardys capture him.
12
"The Prisoner Speaks"
October 17, 1956
Frank, Joe, and Fenton search Boles apartment while the prisoner taunts them.
13
"A Strange Confession"
October 18, 1956
Joe traps Boles into a partial confession.
14
"A Golden Clue"
October 19, 1956
The Boys find a clue they think will solve the mystery of the Applegate treasure.
15
"The Final Search"
October 15, 1956
The authorities look for the treasure in the tower.
16
"The Tower's Secret"
October 23, 1956
The Hardy bunch and police tear apart Applegate's tower structure looking for the stolen treasure.
17
"Never Say Die"
October 24, 1956
Frank and Joe spend a day following Boles after he is released from jail - and get another idea of where the treasure is hidden.
18
"Boys in Danger"
October 25, 1956
Frank and Joe decide to follow Boles after he is released from jail.
19
"The Tower Treasure"
October 26, 1956
The Boys follow Boles back to his apartment but what they see from there leads them to deduce the location of the hidden treasure and bring the case to a conclusion.
The Mystery of Ghost Farm[]
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Title
Airdate
Summaries
1
"An Introduction"
September 13, 1957
Frank and Joe Hardy introduce their new mystery.
2
"Beginning of the Puzzle"
September 20, 1957
Frank angers Joe by spending all day on the phone with girls so Aunt Gertrude sends Joe on an errand with Iola.
3
"Detective Joe"
September 27, 1957
Joe and Iola discover several underfed farm animals but cannot find a farmer.
4
"Who Feeds the Cat?"
October 4, 1957
Joe finds muddy footprints and fresh milk while Iola is warned to stay away from the property. Iola alerts Frank.
5
"Two Private Eyes"
October 11, 1957
Joe searches the house and barn. Frank arrives but is spooked while looking for Joe.
6
"Man Named Fred"
October 18, 1957
While running from the farm, Frank and Joe encounter someone who becomes their new client. Later, they discover what is to become of the animals
7
"Animals in Danger"
October 25, 1957
Frank and Joe return to the farm but are soon joined by a man in a truck.
8
"Catching a Ghost"
November 1, 1957
The boys conclude that someone, maybe even a ghost, has been helping the animals. They create a plan to catch a ghost.
9
"The Ghost Speaks"
November 8, 1957
The boys' plan to catch the ghost works too well and the ghost wants to know what the boys know about the animals.
10
"Lacey's Wonderful Will"
November 15, 1957
Eric finds the boys at the farm and worries he's getting them in trouble. But before they leave, the ghost finds Lacey's will and sneaks it to Joe. Back home, Mr. Hardy and Mr. Binks try to determine its authenticity but Joe isn't so sure.
