Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Sisters Olga and Myra run a gas station and motel in the middle of a southwestern desert. Olga is content with her life but the younger Myra dreams of something more and becomes resentful of her sister when Olga doesn't even want her going to a dance. What Myra doesn't know is Olga's protective nature comes from a complicated past. That past catches up to Olga, however, when her criminal ex-boyfriend, George, pulls into the station while fleeing to Mexico with his partner because of his part in a robbery and murder. To make matters worse, Olga realizes she still has feelings for George, even though she knows he is bad news and may be trying to rob two wealthy women staying overnight at the motel. Who's in it? The movie stars Aline MacMahon, Ann Dvorak , Preston Foster , Lyle Talbot , Ruth Donnelly and Glenda Farrell . Review: I'm not the kind of person who normally picks a movie solely because of the actors that star in it. However, when I came across H...

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: After Tiny Torgeson is murdered right in front of her, reporter Torchy Blane joins her boyfriend, Det. Steve McBride, in the investigation. Torgeson, they learn, was going to buy the various businesses owned by former gangster Fitz Mularkey, who is going straight after falling in love with Marcia Friel. Fitz, angry over his friend's murder, vows to take matters into his own hands, putting Torchy and McBride in a race to find the killer before Fitz does. Who's in it? The movie stars Glenda Farrell , Barton MacLane , Charlotte Wynters, Robert Paige and Tom Kennedy. Review: I enjoyed The Adventurous Blonde a few days ago and, since that was the third movie in the Torchy Blane series, decided to watch the first one, Smart Blonde , this morning. I wasn't disappointed. At first, the murder mystery seemed a bit too easy. Torgeson ( Joseph Crehan ) is murdered with Chuck Cannon (Max Wagner) as the clear an obvious killer and because of that, I figured this would just...

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...