Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Tom "the Bomber" Brown is an up-and-coming boxer who is a match away from winning the lightweight championship when a fight with a well-connected gambler, Smoothy Morgan, results in him needing to flee New York to avoid assault charges. While in hiding under the name Tom Hayes, he meets a young man by the name "Babyface" Madison and seeing his potential, offers to train him while secretly working as a gas station attendant to pay for the use of a gym. Tom's past and present eventually collide, however, when Babyface gets a shot at the title and Tom needs to return to New York as a result. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Darro , Kane Richmond , Fred 'Snowflake' Toones , Frances Grant and Jack La Rue. Review: I've had Born to Fight in my library for several weeks, mostly because I've enjoyed other Frankie Darro films. I finally got around to watching the movie this morning and was able to add it to the list of Darro movies I...

Synopsis: After being double crossed by a crooked promoter and seriously injured in the ring, Johnny Higgins would rather drink his troubles away than fight again. However, when his kid brother, Jimmy, is killed trying to take his place, Johnny agrees to let Slip Mahoney and the Bowery Boys train him for a comeback. They are successful and he earns a shot at the championship but the promoter, Blinky Harris, is determined to do whatever it takes to keep the title on his man and force Johnny to throw the fight. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Frankie Darro , Lyle Talbot and Bert Conway. Review: After being under a heat advisory the past couple days, it is finally cooling down a bit but was raining this morning. So, since a walk was out of the question, I once again found a movie to watch. I've had Fighting Fools on my list for a while and finally selected it. It ended up being a great choice and might even be the best Bowery Boys movie I've watched...

Synopsis: After working 40 years in the oil business and digging wells for others, Dan O'Reilly has gone into business for himself and with help from a new investor, Hank, is close to striking oil and ensuring his teenage son, Clifford's, future. However, the oil tycoon he leases the land from, J. C. Anderson is determined to stop the digging long enough for O'Reilly's lease to run out so he can reclaim the property, including an act of sabotage that takes O'Reilly's life and leaves the well to Clifford. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Darro , LeRoy Mason, Gloria Shea, Berton Churchill and Fred 'Snowflake' Toones .  Review: I had to pick up my daughter from an overnight community theater "lock-in" with friends early this morning and, while waiting to pick her up, looked for a movie to watch. I picked Black Gold mostly because of Frankie Darro starring in it and, overall, I thought it turned out to be a good classic drama. I thought...

Synopsis: Skipper Murphy looks up to his older brother, Red, who is a professional boxer. When Red returns from a fight with a new manager, Bill Grogan, Skipper is suspicious, even after Grogan secures Red a title shot.  This leads to an argument between the brothers when Red's girlfriend, Ruth, comes down sick, he is told she needs surgery and Red agrees to throw the fight so he can have money to pay for it. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Darro , Dick Purcell , Judith Allen, Don Rowan and William Ruhl. Review: I was only introduced to Frankie Darro a short while ago but have become a casual fan of his movies. So, when nothing else caught my eye this morning, I decided to watch another of his films, Tough Kid . It ended up being a good choice for the most part. To be honest, of the Frankie Darro performances I've seen, this one was my least favorite. He may be the star but his character, Skipper, really doesn't have much of a personality. He looks up to his big...

Synopsis: When rookie state trooper John Shields is killed his first day on the job, his younger brother, Freddie, becomes determined to help his future brother-in-law, Tom, capture the crooks responsible. His and Tom's lives are put in danger when an acquaintance turns out to be the secret ringleader. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Darro , Kane Richmond , Charlotte Henry , Willy Castello and Carleton Young. Review: I ended up picking out Young Dynamite this morning because I had enjoyed other Frankie Darro movies more than expected and had not yet seen him in a drama, just comedies. The movie ultimately wasn't quite as good as I was expecting but it was still a reasonably decent choice. Darro, as Freddie, does as solid of a job in this drama as he did in the comedy movies I've watched him in. I would describe Freddie as a bit reckless, trying to take on the crooks by himself and nearly getting killed a couple times in the process before the movie even reaches...

Synopsis: While working as a page at a Hollywood radio station, Frankie Ryan aspires to be an on-air comedian with his friend, Jeff Jefferson while also doing his best to convince producer Bob Farrell to give a singing audition to the beautiful Anne Mason, who works at the radio station receptionist desk. He soon finds himself caught up in a mystery when the station's top talent, Rita Wilson, is murdered during a rehearsal and a singing cowboy, Tex Barton, is later found killed.  The mystery takes a whole new urgency when the police arrest Anne for the crimes. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Darro , Mantan Moreland , Marjorie Reynolds, Tristram Coffin , Dick Elliott , Lorna Gray and Clyde Dilson. Review: I was recently introduced to actor Frankie Darro when watching another movie this week and was surprised when I realized he starred in Up in the Air , a movie that has been in my library for a couple months, but I just never got around to watching. After making that di...

Synopsis: Bellhop Buzzy O'Brien dreams of solving crimes like his father, a now-deceased police officer, and while he has had some success, family friend Det. Steve Lanahan doesn't like Buzzy's meddling, which he knows can put the young man in danger.  This comes to a head when a banker is murdered in Buzzy's hotel and Buzzy chooses to protect the police's top suspect, Kitty Monahan, because he doesn't believe someone with that last name could commit murder. Facing possible jail time for interfering in the investigation, Buzzy must figure out who the real killer is before Steve or the hotel detective, Fluger, catch and arrest him. Who's in it? The movie stars Frankie Darro , Dick Purcell , Mantan Moreland , Sheila Darcy and James Flavin. Review: While trying to decide if I wanted to watch vampire movie this morning or a fantasy film promising plenty of sword fighting, I happened to come across Irish Luck. Unable to decide between my first two choices, I e...