Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: American teenage girls are devastated when singing sensation Conrad Birdie is drafted. However, the national "tragedy" turns into an opportunity for a struggling songwriter when his fiancée makes arrangements for him to write a song that Birdie will perform during a farewell appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The concert also turns into an opportunity for teenager Kim McAfee, who is selected to give Birdie a goodbye kiss on stage, assuming her protective father and jealous boyfriend will let her. Who's in it?  The movie stars Dick Van Dyke , Janet Leigh , Ann-Margret , Jesse Pearson and Maureen Stapleton. You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

Synopsis: A once-struggling magician, Charles "Corky" Williams, finds success after adding a risqué-talking ventriloquist dummy, Fats, to his act. Just as he is about to get his best break ever, a television series, Corky sabotages the deal by refusing to take a physical and instead flees the city to his hometown in the Catskills, renting a cabin from his high school crush, Peggy. Despite Peggy being married, they end up having an affair and she seems ready to leave her husband for him. However, it soon becomes apparent Fats is more than just a prop for Corky's act and is instead a manifestation of a second, domineering and sometimes violent personality. Who's in it? The movie stars Anthony Hopkins , Ann-Margaret , Burgess Meredith , Ed Lauter and David Ogden Stiers . Review: I remember first seeing the film Magic on display at a video rental store (remember those?). However, despite the movie being out for nearly 30 years, I never took the time to watch the film ...

Synopsis : As World War II breaks out in Europe, San Francisco private detective Lou Peckinpaugh finds himself accused of his partner's murder. In addition to trying to clear his name, he is hired to track down a valuable diamond necklace. Who's in it? The movie stars Peter Falk , Ann-Margret , Eileen Brennan , Dom DeLuise and Madeline Kahn. Review: I was scrolling through movies on YouTube TV the other day and came across this film. Since it sounded intriguing, I added it to my list and found time to watch it yesterday evening. Overall, I have to say the movie, which is a spoof of classic films like Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon , was entertaining. I think the thing that really got my attention when watching this movie was the surprisingly long list of recognizable actors and actresses. Some of them, like Falk, Brennan and Kahn were in more prominent roles but even the minor characters had some familiar faces, such as David Ogden Stiers , Phil Silvers and Abe Vigoda ...