Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Theater critic Tony Woolrich is reviewing a play when an actor is murdered. Even though he is friends with the theater's owner, actor Cecil Moore, and the victim was Moore's brother, he is reluctant to investigate but does so after being chewed out by his editor. After a second murder is committed, the police believe an escape asylum inmate is to blame. However, Woolrich believes someone from Moore's past is targeting both the actor and his daughter, Claudia. Who's in it? The movie stars Dave O'Brien , Kay Aldridge, Alan Mowbray, Frank Jenks and Jack Mulhall. Review: I am gaining a whole new appreciation for just how busy actor Dave O'Brien was in the 1940s. It seems as though I can't scroll through my movie library without coming across a film he's in. This includes The Phantom of 42nd Street , which I decided to finally watch this morning. It ended up being a good choice. The movie's mystery is an interesting one. While Woolrich's (...

Synopsis: Seeking to find the man who killed his father, attorney Lamont Granston moonlights as a vigilante known as the Shadow. After capturing a pair of would-be burglars breaking into a safe belonging to another attorney, Chester Randall, Granston is discovered by police and assumes Randall's identity to hide the reason he was there.  His lie becomes more complicated when Randall receives a call summoning him to the home of the wealthy Caleb Delthiern and the police captain, Breen, insists on going with him. Granston is then forced to extend the lie even longer when Delthiern is murdered right next to him while attempting to change his will. Despite cautionary warnings from his assistant, Henry, Granston chooses to risk detection by investigating. Who's in it? The movie stars Rod La Rocque, Agnes Anderson, Norman Ainsley, Kenneth Harlan and Cy Kendall. Review: Much like with Dick Tracy prior to watching some of the films made in the 1940s, my only knowledge of the Shadow...

Synopsis: The residents of Chipping Cleghorn are amused by an announcement in the morning paper advertising a murder later that day at the Little Paddocks estate owned by Letty Blacklock and go to her house believing it is either a game or a prank. They are less amused, however, when someone turns off the lights at the advertised time and fires a revolver, striking Miss Blacklock in the ear before either accidentally or purposely killing himself. Local police, baffled by the motive, turn to Jane Marple and, with her insight, come to a terrifying conclusion. The dead man was nothing more than a ruse and one of the people closest to Miss Blacklock is trying to kill her. Review: Several years ago, I made reading all of Agatha Christie's mysteries one of my goals. However, I ended up taking a break from that after reading the first Miss Marple books and realizing I wasn't as big of a fan of her as I was of Christie's other detectives.  Since it had been a while, I decided to ...

Synopsis: When Stephanie Falkner comes to Perry Mason to discuss an offer she's been made on a casino she inherited from her murdered father, Mason's long-time client Homer Garvin, Sr., asks the attorney to also meet with the prospective buyer, both to protect Stephanie and to represent his 15 percent stake. The buyer, George Casselman, is later found murdered, Stephanie becomes the primary suspect with Garvin charged as an accessory, putting Mason in a position to defend both, something that becomes more complicated when Mason's attempt to create confusion over the murder weapon backfires and has him facing potential charges as well. Review: I wasn't able to obtain a copy of The Case of the Long-Legged Models when I first read through Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason series. So, when I was able to finally get it through my local library, I made sure to have it in time for my three-day weekend. Unfortunately, while I have enjoyed most Perry Mason books, this on...

Synopsis: Fran Celane comes to attorney Perry Mason for his help with her inheritance, a sum of about $1 million left to her by her father. As a result of Fran's compulsive nature and bad temper, the money is in a trust under the control of her strict uncle, Edward Norton, and with a provision that allows him to dissolve the trust and donate the majority of the money to charity if she marries before the age of 25. When attempts to have a conversation with Norton fail, Mason agrees to represent her if she contests the will. However, when Norton is killed soon after, Mason finds himself defending both Fran and her secret husband, Robert Gleason against murder charges. Review: When I read through Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason series, there were some books I wasn't able to read because of a lack of availability. This included The Case of the Sulky Girl . I was finally able to get a copy through my library this week and once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting ...

Synopsis: Shortly after her blind and wealthy husband is killed in an explosion, a woman starts seeing him in her dreams. When her dreams become more realistic, she begins to suspect both her deceased husband and a mysterious lover really are visiting her and enlists her husband's attorney to help her figure out the truth. Who's in it?  The movie stars Robert Taylor , Barbara Stanwyck , Judi Meredith, Hayden Rorke and Rochelle Hudson. Review: Everyone was still in bed this morning and it was too early/too cold so shovel snow so I decided to use my alone time to watch a movie. I recently came across The Night Walker again and since I didn't remember much about it, decided to give it another try. It turned out to be a good choice. Even though this movie is classified in the horror/thriller, I disagreed and wouldn't put it in that category The somewhat bizarre wedding scene was a little creepy, but the movie never reached a point where it was overly intense or even suspen...

Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson join a murder investigation when one of Watson's friends is murdered soon after purchasing one of three identical music boxes from an auction. Holmes correctly assumes the people who purchased the other two boxes are also in danger and works to find out who is seeking the boxes and why before there are more murders. The film also goes by the title Dressed to Kill . Who's in it? The movie stars Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce, Patricia Morison, Frederick Worlock and Carl Harbord. Review: It had been a long while since I last watched a Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes movie and when I came across Prelude to Murder on Amazon Prime, I decided to give it a try. While not one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes mysteries, it was still an OK choice. I've said this before, but Rathbone remains my favorite Sherlock Holmes, despite all the others who have played the character. He plays the role with just the right amount of seriousness and arrogance...

Synopsis: When Professor Richard Rinehart is murdered by a maniac, he divides his money between his daughter, Mary, his brother, John, and his servants. Sometime later, Mary's fiancé, Dr. Arthur Hornsby, who has invented a way to survive without oxygen, invites a team of scientists to bury him alive, only to have the experiment interrupted by the same maniac committing multiple murders in and around the manor. Who's in it? The movie stars George Meeker , Bela Lugosi , Wallace Ford , Sally Blane and Edwin Maxwell. Review: I came across Night of Terror on Amazon Prime yesterday evening and since it had a somewhat intriguing description and Bela Lugosi, I decided to give the film a try. It wasn't quite what I was expecting but still proved to be a reasonably decent film. While I thought the movie's slower pace prevented it from being a true horror movie, as the description claimed, I did think it proved to be a decent murder mystery. The simple explanation for the vari...

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: Charlie Newton is thrilled when she learns her mom's younger brother, Charlie (the man she is named after) is coming to visit. However, when her uncle arrives, she notices his behavior is erratic and begins to suspect he is wanted for murder when two detectives arrive looking for him. Who's in it?  The movie stars Teresa Wright , Joseph Cotten , Henry Travers, MacDonald Carey and Wallace Ford. Review: I came across Shadow of a Doubt on one our movie channels last night and, since I had the day off and needed a break from running errands, I decided to re-watch it. Since it had been a long time since I last watched it, I didn't remember a whole lot about it. However, the Alfred Hitchcock movie more than lived up to my expectations. I think the thing I liked best about this movie was the mystery surrounding Uncle Charlie (Cotten). He was definitely acting suspiciously. However, since it was a Hitchcock film, I wasn't sure if he was really the killer or if he ...

Synopsis: Joseph Reynolds secretly owns the boarding house he rents a room from while conducting mysterious business with his partner, Ram Singh, and carrying out an affair both with the mistress of the house and the maid. When he is found brutally stabbed in his room, all the house's tenants become murder suspects. Who's in it? The movie stars Frieda Inescort , Paul Cavanagh , Heather Angel, Bruce Lester and Miles Mander. Review: I came across Shadows on the Stairs a couple days ago and, mostly because it was being compared to Sherlock Holmes, I decided to take the time to watch it. I wasn't able to get through the whole movie in one sitting, but I did finally manage to watch the rest of it last night. Unfortunately, it just wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. To be fair, the film does have a decent start to it. It quickly, but effectively, introduces the viewer to the victim (Cavanagh) and all the people who would later be suspects in his murder. The myster...

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: British citizen Victoria Barton travels with her older brother/guardian Johnny to Paris to see the World's Fair and the siblings check into two rooms at Hôtel de la Licorne. The next morning, Victoria wakes up and discovers both her brother and his hotel room are missing and the hotel's owners insist she arrived alone. With limited ability to speak French, she tries to find help, only to find none of the authorities will believe her without proof. Who's in it? The movie stars Jean Simmons, Dirk Bogarde, David Tomlinson, Honor Blackman and Cathleen Nesbitt. Review: I came across So Long at the Fair a couple weeks ago and thought the plot sounded intriguing enough to add to my library. I ended up watching it this morning and it proved to be an OK choice that ultimately left me wanting. The thing that intrigued me most about this movie was the somewhat complicated, albeit successful, attempt to gaslight Victoria (Simmons). It was unclear what the motive was. Whi...

Synopsis: When Violet Feverel is found dead on a bridle path in Central Park, police believe she was accidentally thrown from her horse and trampled, until schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers points out a clue that shows the young woman was murdered. Inspector Oscar Piper quickly focuses his attention on Feverel's ex-husband, Don Gregg, believing he is the killer. Hildegarde, however, isn't convinced. Who's in it? The movie stars James Gleason , Helen Broderick, Louise Latimer, Leslie Fenton and Willie Best . Review: I have enjoyed other Hildegarde Withers mysteries and was quick to add Murder on a Bridle Path to my library even though it had a different actress (Broderick) in the lead role other than Edna May Oliver . Despite the schoolteacher and amateur detective having a different face, it still turned out to be an entertaining mystery. One thing I found I liked right away about this movie was how it was quick to establish Hildegarde as the brains of the duo while still...

Synopsis: When his wife, Vivian, is murdered, attorney Wayne Fletcher, who has been having an affair with his secretary, Donna Kincaid, becomes the primary suspect. While Fletcher arguably had the most to gain from her death, a case can also be made for a psychic, a stalker and a household of eccentric family members, especially when more people are murdered. Who's in it?  The movie stars Lon Chaney Jr. , Brenda Joyce, J. Edward Bromberg, Clara Blandick and Wilton Graff. Review:  One thing I've learned as I've watched Lon Chaney, Jr. movies is he was an actor who could play a variety of roles. While he's arguably best known for monster movies, he also was a great addition to other genres, including Pillow of Death . The thing that ultimately impressed me about this movie was the murder mystery. A lot of times with classic films like this, the mystery is a little too easy to figure out or, in way too many cases, the film actually reveals the killer early on. In this cas...

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: While arguing over a parking ticket, reporter Torchy Blane witnesses Bon-Ton department store heir Marvin Spencer being led out of a fashion show by Maitland Greer. Soon after, Spencer is found stabbed to death and Greer is the primary suspect. Torchy believes Greer is innocent but her own investigation into the case is hampered by her fiancé, Lt. Steve McBride, who is under pressure after the police are accused by other newspapers of giving Torchy preferential treatment and goes to great lengths to keep her from getting information. Who's in it? The movie stars Glenda Farrell , Barton MacLane , Tom Kennedy , Rosella Towne and Donald Briggs. Review: I had another movie picked out for this morning but had second thoughts about it, so I ended up watching Blondes at Work instead. I always have some doubts by the time a movie series gets into its fourth installment, but this turned out to be a solid choice. I think the thing I liked best about this film was the way it gav...

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: Frustrated with the way Torchy Blane always beats them to the scoop, a group of reporters conspires to embarrass her on the eve of her wedding to Det. Steve McBride by hiring actor Harvey Hammond to pretend to be murdered. Their plot goes awry when Hammond really is killed, and Blane and MacBride investigate. Who's in it? The movie stars Glenda Farrell , Barton MacLane , Anne Nagel , William Hopper and Charley Foy. Review: I was in the mood for a classic murder mystery this morning and picked The Adventurous Blonde because it looked like it might be a halfway decent comedy as well. Even though I wasn't familiar with the Torchy Blane films that preceded it, leaving me a step behind when it came to some of the characters, it ended up being a good choice. I think the thing I liked most about this film was the paring of Blane (Farrell) and McBride (MacLane). There were times when they seemed like an unlikely couple but when it came to the murder, it was clear they ma...

Synopsis: When Lillian Hubbard goes on trial for the murder of her fiancée, Harley Forsythe, private investigator Michael Shayne is assigned to the jury. After a key witness is killed by a knife thrower in the courtroom, Hubbard looks guilty to some jurors. Shayne, however, believes she's innocent and, after swiping the knife before it could be taken as evidence, sneaks out of his hotel room to conduct his own investigation with the help of newspaper reporter Judy Taylor. Complicating things is photographer Roy Higgins, who is determined to catch Shayne in the act, something that could result in the detective being sent to jail. Who's in it? The movie stars Lloyd Nolan , Marjorie Weaver , Phil Silvers , Janis Carter and Joan Valerie. Review: I was feeling a bit tired and called it an early night last night. Before going to bed, I looked for a film to watch this morning and picked Just Off Broadway because it was the first one that popped up that looked halfway decent. Afte...