Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Myra Hudson was born wealthy but is making her own fortune as a successful playwright. While traveling by train from New York to her home in San Francisco, she bumps into Lester Blaine, an actor she fired from her latest play because he didn't look right for the part. They bond on the long journey and, soon after arriving in San Francisco, marry. She believes he loves her until her dictating machine inadvertently records Lester and his secret girlfriend, Irene, plotting to kill her. Who's in it? The movie stars Joan Crawford , Jack Palance , Gloria Grahame , Bruce Bennett and Virginia Huston. Review: I had started out watching a different movie this morning but after discovering that one was in a different language and it was too early to read subtitles, I ended up watching Sudden Fear instead. Overall, I have to say it was a good second choice. The movie's story is well-written. I especially liked how the film took the time to show Myra (Crawford) and Lester...

Synopsis: A United States Army infantry company is based in a Belgian town near the front lines during World War II. Morale is low because of the incompetent leadership of their commander, Capt. Erskine Cooney. Executive Officer Lt. Harold Woodruff believes the men are longer fit for combat as a result but has been assured the company's fighting days are over. Woodruff's worst fears are realized when the company is ordered to stop a German advance and instead of sending the entire company, Cooney chooses to send just one platoon under the command of Lt. Joe Costa and abandon them when they get pinned down. Who's in it? The movie stars Jack Palance , Eddie Albert , Lee Marvin , Buddy Ebsen and William Smithers. Review: I started out watching another war movie this morning but lost interest after only a few minutes and decided to instead call an audible and finally watch Attack , which has been in my library for a couple weeks. I picked out this movie mostly because I rec...

Synopsis: Following World War II, a group of six ex-German soldiers are given the task of defusing unexploded bombs around Berlin. The pay and rations are good but the odds of being killed are high, so the group makes a pact to place half their wages in a pool as an additional financial reward for anyone who survives three months. Tensions soon begin to grow as their team quickly shrinks from exploding bombs and other hazards. Who's in it? The movie stars Jack Palance , Jeff Chandler , Martine Carol , Dave Willock and Robert Cornthwaite. Review: As often happens, I was scrolling through my library for one movie this morning only to be reminded about another one and choose that instead. In this particular case it ended up being Ten Seconds to Hell . I didn't regret calling the audible. I think the thing that impressed me most about this movie is the roller coaster of emotions it takes you on over the course of 94 minutes. There's action, suspense, drama and romance all se...

Synopsis: In 1888 London, Helen Harley agrees to rent her attic to Mr. Slade, a research pathologist who comes to her door unannounced. Slade is a reliable renter and seems to be developing a romantic interest in Helen's niece, Lily. However, he has some eccentric traits that make Helen suspect Mr. Slade might actually be the notorious serial killer, Jack the Ripper. Who's in it? The movie stars Jack Palance , Constance Smith , Frances Bavier , Byron Palmer and Rhys Williams. Review: I came across Man in the Attic on Amazon Prime Video last night and since was a movie I had been wanting to watch, I quickly added it to my list. I wound up watching it this morning before heading into the office and it turned out to be an entertaining film. Helen (Bavier) was a character that reminded me a lot of Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith Show , and not just because she was played by the same actress. She had a quirky way about her, which made it hard to take her premonitions and deducti...