Bess Marvin
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth "Bess" Marvin is a character in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories
series. She is one of Nancy Drew
's best friends, along with George Fayne
, who is Bess' cousin. Bess and George are introduced to readers in the 1931 novel,The Secret at Shadow Ranch
. Bess was originally described as having beautiful hair (later described as blonde), slightly plump, pretty, and blue eyed. She is very feminine, and is easily frightened when involved in Nancy's adventures. Bess believes that every crook has a good reason for committing his/her crime. Bess always fears the worst is going to happen and insists that Nancy give up several mysteries. She is somewhat flighty, fickle, and a bit of a flirt - quite the opposite of cousin George, who is more practical, steady, and very much a tomboy. Bess flirts with every cute or handsome boy she meets. Despite her fears, she is a strong sleuth in some volumes, even taking a proactive role in the capture of criminals on occasion.
Bess loves to shop, and has a weakness for food. She has an extreme love of ice cream and other desserts. In most volumes in the series, George makes at least one comment on Bess' diet. Bess, admittedly, cannot stick to a diet, no matter how she tries, and frequently talks about food. Bess often is seen involved in the same activities as Nancy, at a lower skill level, including dancing, art, music, acting, and stunt horseback riding.
Her boyfriend is Emerson College student Dave Evans. In the original series, she has no steady boyfriend until the 1952 volume The Mystery at the Ski Jump
. The continuity was changed during the series updates, and he appears in the revised versions of some earlier entries in the series. Bess is a true romantic. She is loyal, and she always enjoys helping Nancy, albeit with some trepidation. Although George considers her a coward, Bess does sometimes surprise even herself with her bravery, and she occasionally deciphers clues that stump even Nancy!
In the Nancy Drew movie of 2007, Bess was played by Amy Bruckner
.
In the television series The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
(1977–1979), Bess was played by Ruth Cox.
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories
The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories was the long-running "main" Nancy Drew series, published between 1930 and 2003. Initially, titles were published by Grosset & Dunlap, but with #57 publication switched to Simon & Schuster. Most people consider these first 56 to be the original series and consider the...
series. She is one of Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew is a fictional young amateur detective in various mystery series for all ages. She was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate book packaging firm. The character first appeared in 1930. The books have been ghostwritten by a number of authors and are published...
's best friends, along with George Fayne
George Fayne
Georgia "George" Fayne is a character in the popular Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series. She is one of Nancy's best friends and cousin of Bess Marvin. Her real name is Georgia, although no one calls her that except her parents...
, who is Bess' cousin. Bess and George are introduced to readers in the 1931 novel,The Secret at Shadow Ranch
The Secret at Shadow Ranch
The Secret of Shadow Ranch is the fifth volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series. It was first published in 1931 under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene, and was ghostwritten by Mildred Wirt Benson...
. Bess was originally described as having beautiful hair (later described as blonde), slightly plump, pretty, and blue eyed. She is very feminine, and is easily frightened when involved in Nancy's adventures. Bess believes that every crook has a good reason for committing his/her crime. Bess always fears the worst is going to happen and insists that Nancy give up several mysteries. She is somewhat flighty, fickle, and a bit of a flirt - quite the opposite of cousin George, who is more practical, steady, and very much a tomboy. Bess flirts with every cute or handsome boy she meets. Despite her fears, she is a strong sleuth in some volumes, even taking a proactive role in the capture of criminals on occasion.
Bess loves to shop, and has a weakness for food. She has an extreme love of ice cream and other desserts. In most volumes in the series, George makes at least one comment on Bess' diet. Bess, admittedly, cannot stick to a diet, no matter how she tries, and frequently talks about food. Bess often is seen involved in the same activities as Nancy, at a lower skill level, including dancing, art, music, acting, and stunt horseback riding.
Her boyfriend is Emerson College student Dave Evans. In the original series, she has no steady boyfriend until the 1952 volume The Mystery at the Ski Jump
The Mystery at the Ski Jump
The Mystery at the Ski Jump is the twenty-ninth volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series. It was first published in 1952 under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene. The actual author was ghostwriter Alma Sasse....
. The continuity was changed during the series updates, and he appears in the revised versions of some earlier entries in the series. Bess is a true romantic. She is loyal, and she always enjoys helping Nancy, albeit with some trepidation. Although George considers her a coward, Bess does sometimes surprise even herself with her bravery, and she occasionally deciphers clues that stump even Nancy!
In the Nancy Drew movie of 2007, Bess was played by Amy Bruckner
Amy Bruckner
Amelia Ellen "Amy" Bruckner is an American actress and singer noted for her roles in the Disney Channel shows Phil of the Future and American Dragon: Jake Long...
.
In the television series The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries is a television series which aired for three seasons on ABC...
(1977–1979), Bess was played by Ruth Cox.