Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: In the Army and under the command of Sgt. Homer Gatling, the revenuer who used to harass him over his still, Pvt. Snuffy Smith is assigned to a unit tasked with guarding an experimental missile being built at a lodge owned by his cousin, Barney Google. After organizing a horse race to raise funds for the final missile part, Snuffy, along with Gatling, find themselves facing a group of spies determined to steal the plans. Who's in it? The movie stars Bud Duncan, Edgar Kennedy , Cliff Nazzaro, Doris Linden and Nicolle Andre. Review: I came across Hillbilly Blitzkrieg while looking for the movie I intended to watch this morning. Even though I'm not overly familiar with the Snuffy Smith comic book character and knew this was a sequel to a film I haven't seen yet, I figured I'd give it a try anyway. As it turns out, it wasn't bad. One of the things I liked right away about this movie is, while it didn't go into a great deal of depth about the main prota...

Synopsis: The East Side Kids, minus Muggs, accept a job at an aviation factory run by Algy's father, Mr. Reynolds. The factory has been under attack from spies, who nearly kill test pilot Tom Larson by sabotaging his plane. Muggs, who spends his day wandering around the airfield while waiting to drive his gang home, begins to suspect Dr. Richard Nagel, the owner of a new air ambulance, of being the mastermind. However, Nagel's stellar reputation and Muggs' not-so-stellar reputation result in his theory immediately being dismissed, forcing him to find proof. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bobby Jordan , Dave O'Brien , Joan Barclay , George Pembroke and Ernest Morrison . Review: I forgot to pick out a movie for this morning so, since it had been a while since I last watched an East Side Kids/Bowery Boys film, I figured I'd just do a quick search for one. Flying Wild was one of the first I came across and it looked interesting, so I gave it a try. A...

Synopsis: The bored wife of a successful theater critic decides to write her own play. She is able to get it produced but a drunken, negative review written by her husband threatens both the show's success and their marriage. Who's in it? The movie stars  Bob Hope , Lucille Ball , Marilyn Maxwell , Jim Backus and Rip Torn . Review: I am taking a bit of a lazy day today and, while my wife and youngest daughter were attending a play at our local high school, I ended up searching for a movie to watch. It had been a while since I last saw Critic's Choice and since it was available, I decided to give it a re-watch. My opinion of it was basically the same one I had the first time I watched it, it was OK but not as good as I had expected. I'll start out by saying the film's premise was a good one, mostly because it created a no-win scenario for the critic, Parker Ballentine (Hope). It was clear he didn't want to review his wife, Angela's (Ball) play because, base...

Synopsis: Two newly graduated private investigators, Bud Alexander and Lou Francis, are hired by boxer Tommy Nelson to clear his name after he is framed for murder by the mob. Tommy has taken an invisibility potion to help hide him from the authorities, putting Bud and Lou up against the clock as the potion slowly turns their client insane. Who's in it? The movie stars Bud Abbott , Lou Costello , Arthur Franz , Nancy Guild and Adele Jergens . Review: It's been a while since I've watched an Abbott & Costello movie and, when I came across Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man , I just had to give it a re-watch. While I still think Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is their best pairing against a movie monster(s), this one remains a close second. As much as I love the comedy duo, their routine was arguably getting a bit repetitive and stale by the 1950s. There are, however, still some films that manage to seem fresh and this is one of those movies. The thing th...

Synopsis: Walter Mitty uses daydreaming as a way to escape a life of boredom and verbal abuse from his mother, fiancée and others. His dreams of excitement suddenly become too real when he shares a taxi with a woman he met on the train and discovers his life is in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Danny Kaye , Boris Karloff , Virginia Mayo, Ann Rutherford and Thurston Hall. Review: I remember first watching The Secret Life of Water Mitty about a decade ago with my wife. While I remembered liking it enough to want to see the 2013 Ben Stiller remake (something I have yet to do), I realized that was about all I could recall about the film. So, since I had some time before going into the office this morning, I gave it another try.  Now I remember why I liked it. I have not seen a whole lot of Danny Kaye films, and this is a movie that makes me realize that is a mistake. The movie's script and his role as the title character give him an opportunity to show off his wide range...

Synopsis: Sach Jones buys an old lamp at the pawn shop and is surprised to discover it contains a genie willing to grant his every wish, something his friend Slip Mohoney quickly tries to capitalize on as well. However, the lamp is soon stolen by a group of gangsters working for Duke Dolan who, after learning the genie can only grant wishes made by Sach and Slip, attempt to abduct the pair as well. Meanwhile, a pair of Arabs are also hunting for the lamp and join in the chaos. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bernard Gorcey , Eric Blore and Robert Bice. Review: When I came across Bowery to Bagdad this morning, I had quite a few doubts about the film. Bowery Boys movies, especially some of the later ones, have always been a bit hit-or-miss for me and this seemed like one that was taking things a little too out of the realm of believability. However, I watched it this morning and it turned out to be one of my favorites. As is the case with other later films...

Synopsis: After the Eastside Kids convince Mr. Wilkes to provide the race entry fee for a thoroughbred, Bluenight, Muggs Mahoney uses the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a jockey. He, however, soon learns it is more difficult than he imagined and a chance to redeem himself is put at risk by a crooked bookie tries to sabotage Bluenight. Who's in it? The movie stars Bobby Jordan , Leo Gorcey , Clarence Muse , Dave O'Brien , Milton Kibbee, Joyce Bryant . Review: It had been a few weeks since I last watched an Eastside Kids/Bowery Boys movie, so I figured I'd add one to my list and after searching, chose That Gang of Mine  primarily because the idea of Muggs Mahoney (Gorcey) riding a horse seemed interesting. I watched it this morning and it proved to be an OK choice. There were a couple things I liked about this movie. One of the main ones was the journey Muggs needed to take to be a jockey. The movie acknowledged a kid from New York probably wouldn't know anyt...

Synopsis: Joyce Norman inherits an estate left to her by a deceased millionaire relative. However, her inheritance comes with a catch, she must remain sane for 30 days or the fortune will go to a yet-to-be-named other heir. This immediately puts her in danger as a murderer known as “The Cat” begins to terrorize her with the obvious intention of either driving her insane or saving time by killing her. Who's in it? The movie stars Bob Hope , Paulette Goddard, John Beal , George Zucco and Douglass Montgomery. Review: I had seen The Cat and the Canary before but since I couldn't find much else on television this morning, decided to watch it again. As has been the case in the past, it proved to be a great movie choice.  Since it is a Bob Hope movie, it is correct to assume it is a comedy. However, despite the comedy status, it is also a solid mystery as well.  Since Joyce (Goddard) inherits the money with a very clear (and potentially deadly) caveat, the motive for attacking h...

Synopsis: The greedy Silas Barnaby wants to marry the beautiful Bo-Peep and when she rejects his proposal and instead decides to marry Tom-Tom, the Pied Piper, he threatens to evict her mother and her large family from the shoe they live in. Two boarders, Stannie and Ollie Dum offer to help by getting money from the toymaker they work for. However, their incompetence results in the pair being fired while other attempts to save the day end in disaster. The movie also goes by the title March of the Wooden Soldiers . Who's in it? The movie stars Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charlotte Henry , Felix Knight, Virginia Karns and Henry Brandon . Review: As I search for new (and old) movies to watch, I am sometimes amazed with some of the inaccurate film descriptions that are out there. It's honestly as though the people who wrote them didn't bother watching the movie. In the case of Babes in Toyland , for example, the photo showed the 1986 Drew Barrymore movie, the description was ...

Synopsis: Professor Cosmo Jones, who recently graduated correspondence school with a degree in criminal psychology, witnesses a body being dumped in front of the police station and takes an interest in the case that results in him getting thrown in jail by Police Chief Murphy. After Pat Flanagan secures his release, the grateful Jones insists on helping the police sergeant catch both the killer and, later, the person who attempts to kidnap heiress Phyllis Blake. However, his meddling results in Flanagan being demoted and a misunderstanding that puts Flanagan's romance with Susan Fleming on the rocks. Who's in it? The movie stars Frank Graham, Edgar Kennedy , Gale Storm , Richard Cromwell, Gwen Kenyon and Mantan Moreland . Review: I still can't remember the name of the movie I thought I picked out a couple nights ago but, while searching for it again, I did come across Cosmo Jones in the Crime Smasher and thought it looked interesting enough to give a try. I watched it t...

Synopsis: Commercial jingle writer Jimmy O'Brien discovers Mary Adams' incredible singing voice and is determined to get her a recording contract, both to further his career as a songwriter and the hope for romance. He and his friend Sammy record a demo record of Mary singing along to a radio performance of the popular Tommy Taylor Band, meant for their record producer boss J. P. O'Hara only. However, a mix-up results in 10,000 copies being produced and distributed, putting O'Hara in jeopardy of being sued out of business and Jimmy's relationship with Mary on the rocks. Who's in it? The movie stars Robert Lowery , Dona Drake, Sidney Miller, Irene Ryan and Tim Ryan . Review: I ended up picking out Hot Rhythm for my morning movie today mostly because I saw it had Irene Ryan and while I am a huge fan of her work from The Beverly Hillbillies, I realized I hadn't seen many (if any) of her movies, especially with her husband, Tim. As it turns out, this was an...

Synopsis: After Louie's window is once again broken by a stray baseball, Slip Mahoney and Sach travel to Dr. David Gravesend's home to convince him to let the neighborhood kids use one of his Bowery commercial properties as a baseball diamond. When they arrive, they discover a home filled with eccentric relatives, an ape, a man-eating plant and vampires. They also discover Gravesend plans to use Slip's head for a robot he and his relative, Anton, are building. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bernard Gorcey , Lloyd Corrigan and John Dehner. Review: I hadn't planned on watching a movie this morning because it was foggy outside and I figured I should leave for the office a bit earlier as a result. However, when I came across The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters , I decided to give it a try. I am happy to report I still made it to the office safely. My opinion about the movie, however, was a bit mixed. I'll start by saying, even though it isn...

Synopsis: Two down-on-their-luck friends, Washington and Jefferson, fleece a pair of rich men at a game of dice and with more money than they've ever seen, they visit a club run by Dr. Brutus Blake. Another run of good luck at dice results in the pair winning the club, which they later learn is haunted by the relatives that Blake inherited it from. Who's in it? The movie stars Mantan Moreland , F. E. Miller, Maceo Bruce Sheffield, Florence O'Brien and Arthur Ray. Review: I was a bit undecided about watching Lucky Ghost because I was concerned an all-Black comedy made in the 1940s would focus too much on stereotypes and leave me feeling a lot more uncomfortable than entertained. However, I ended up giving it a shot and, for the most part, it wound up being better than expected. The pair of Washington (Moreland) and Jefferson (Miller) reminded me a bit of Abbott and Costello, with Washington in the Costello role of always accidentally himself into trouble (and somehow bei...

Synopsis: Things aren't quite right with the East Side Kids after Danny's sister, Ruth, testifies against one of their own for participating in a bank robbery and Danny himself collects a reward for capturing a wanted criminal, Butch Brocalli, and doesn't immediately share it. Their strained friendship is then put to the test when Butch breaks out of prison and puts Danny in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bobby Jordan , Huntz Hall , Gale Storm and Maxie Rosenbloom. Review: As has happened to me too often lately, I had planned on watching another movie this morning but then couldn't remember what it was (stupid old age). So, needing an alternative, I once again fell back on the East Side Kids with their movie, Smart Alecks . Overall, it was an OK film, though my opinion did end up being a bit mixed. The movie's plot, once it happened, was solid. The story focused on loyalty to your friends/gang and the d...

Synopsis: Mugs, Danny and the rest of the East Side Kids come to the rescue when they hear Sylvia crying for help because her abusive stepfather, Morley, is forcibly trying to force her to run away with him. Morley is left unconscious by the gang but is murdered by a crime boss, McGaffey, a short time later. When Danny is arrested for the crime, McGaffey uses evidence from the scene as a way to blackmail Mugs into helping him with a burglary.  Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bobby Jordan , Huntz Hall , Mark Lawrence, Dave O'Brien and Ann Gillis. Review: I have had 'Neath Brooklyn Bridge in my library for a few months because every time I planned to watch it, I ended up choosing something else instead. I finally did the opposite this morning, changing my mind about another film and selecting this movie as the alternative. Overall, it was an OK choice. While I would consider the majority of this movie a drama, there was a nice mix of comedy throughout to keep i...

Synopsis: After Danny, Muggs and the rest of the East Side Kids once again get in trouble with the police, they are given a choice - reform school or summer camp. They choose the latter and are put under the supervision of Danny's brother and ex-criminal, Knuckles. While traveling, a pair of car troubles result in them running into Judge Malcolm Parker and his niece, Louise, and an invitation to stay with them to stay in a creepy manor owned by his deceased wife's family. When the judge is murdered and Louise goes missing, the boys know Knuckles will be the one blamed and conduct an investigation to find the real culprit. Who's in it? The movie stars Bobby Jordan , Leo Gorcey , Dave O'Brien , Inna Gest, Ernest Morrison and Forrest Taylor. Review: It had been a few weeks since I last watched an East Side Kids/Bowery Boys movie and, when I came across Boys in the City last night, I decided to add it to my list and watch it this morning. As is often the case with films...

Synopsis: After being stood up while trying to obtain a marriage license, reporter Torchy Blane finds her fiancé, Lt. Steve McBride, investigating the murder of jeweler Milton Devereux. After forcing her way into the crime scene and discovering the hidden murder weapon, Torchy begins to suspect Lucien "Sonny" Croy, the son of a rival newspaper publisher, but has no evidence. Believing Croy is participating in an across-the-globe race so he can hide the evidence, Torchy joins the race too and is soon flying across the world to prove she's right. Who's in it? The movie stars Glenda Farrell , Barton MacLane , Tom Kennedy , Hugh O'Connell and Gordon Oliver . Review: Since I already had Fly Away Baby in my movie library, I decided to continue the Torchy Blane series and give the second installment a try. So far, this one is my favorite. While Smart Blonde and The Adventurous Blonde both were enjoyable, this film, which is bookended by those two movies, is the on...

Synopsis: After yet another one of his colleagues dies under mysterious circumstances, Phillip Browning, believing he is cursed, decides to return treasures taken from Egyptian King Pharatine's tomb during an excavation. Needing diggers, he hires Stanley Wright and Aloysius C. Whittaker, two layabouts who pretend to be Egyptian experts. Trouble arises not long after they reach Egypt, with both Browning and his associate, Edward Sterling, disappearing under threatening circumstances. Who's in it? The movie stars Bert Wheeler , Robert Woolsey, Barbara Pepper , Willie Best , Frank M. Thomas and Moroni Olsen. Review: I came across Mummy's Boys last night before bed and thought it looked interesting enough to add to my library. I managed to watch it this morning before it was surprisingly and abruptly removed from the movie channel I found it on. Unfortunately, while I see where the filmmakers were trying to go, I just didn't think it was that good. While I'll admit ...

Synopsis: Three bumbling employees working for a conservation magazine travel west with their editor to investigate why the buffalo are being slaughtered. When they arrive, they discover a local outlaw's plot to cause a Native American uprising as part of a scheme to eventually claim the entire western territory for himself and his outlaw buddies. Who's in it?  The movie stars Moe Howard , Larry Fine , Joe DeRita, Adam West , Nancy Kovack, Mort Mills and Don Lamond. You can read my review here:  Movie Review: The Outlaws is Coming (1965) ________________________________________________________________ Here are some reviews of other movies from the 1960s: Movie Review: Midnight Lace (1960) Movie Review: Five Minutes to Live (1961) Movie Review: The Day Mars Invaded Earth (1962) Movie Review: Space Probe Taurus (1965)

Synopsis: When a thick and persistent fog cancels all flights at the London Airport, bus driver Percy Lamb is given the task of transporting several passengers to Blackbushe Airport. The hapless Percy almost immediately gets lost in the fog and already unable to figure out his bearings, he learns stolen gold bullion has been stashed on his bus, along with one of the robbers. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Howerd , Margaret Rutherford , Belinda Lee , Petula Clark and Terence Alexander. Review: Due to a time crunch this morning, I looked for a movie that was relatively short and picked The Runaway Bus as a result. I wasn't sure what to expect from the film, other than it was a comedy. After seeing it, my opinion was mixed. because this was one of those movies that, while not terrible, would have been considerably better if filmed for a different genre.  The film had two good things going for it. First, the getting lost in the fog part added an intriguing element becaus...