Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Kitty O'Day, a hotel switchboard operator who is obsessed with detective stories, overhears her boss, Mr. Williams, being murdered over the phone. Her boyfriend, Johnny Jones, confirms this but by the time the police arrive, the body is gone and Williams' wife, Gloria, claims he is alive and on his way to Chicago. Despite warnings from the police, Kitty continues to investigate and when more bodies turn up, she and Johnny become the primary suspects. Who's in it? The movie stars Jean Parker , Peter Cookson , Tim Ryan , Lorna Gray and Dick Elliott . Review: I ended up selecting Adventures of Kitty O'Day solely because it sounded intriguing when I read the description. I didn't know what to expect when I started watching it this morning, but it turned out to be an entertaining and funny film. The movie, as I later learned, is a sequel to Detective Kitty O'Day and one of the things I liked about this movie is, while it did reference that film (which I...

Synopsis: After falsely being accused and disciplined for a bad landing, pilot Jim Clark goes into business for himself, shuttling couples to Las Vegas to be married. Honeymoon Air is a success, thanks mostly to Jim's stewardess girlfriend, Shirley. However, their relationship becomes strained when Shirley realizes Jim is reluctant to marry her because he thinks she won't want work anymore. Adding to their problems is Jim's former co-pilot, Rocky Drake, who is now working for a spy ring attempting to steal a top-secret military transformer and, along with help from his partner, hijacks one of Jim's flights in an attempt to get out of the country and to Mexico. Who's in it? The movie stars Richard Arlen, Jean Parker , Roger Pryor, Nils Asther , Eddie Quillan , Dick Purcell and Marie Wilson . Review: I didn't have any clear idea about what movie I wanted to watch this morning and mostly picked Flying Blind because it was the first film I came across that soun...

Synopsis: USS Carolina has been selected for a new firing control system that must be installed by a firm deadline if the United States Navy is to have exclusive rights to it. However, when the equipment is first misdirected then subjected to acts of sabotage, it's clear someone doesn't want it installed. Things then take a deadly turn when two people are murdered. Who's in it? The movie stars Robert Taylor , Ted Healy , Jean Parker , Una Merkel and Nat Pendleton . Review: I've had Murder in the Fleet in my library for a few months and attempted to watch it on more than one occasion only to wind up picking a different movie instead. I finally took the time to see it this morning, and it turned out to be a good choice. I think the thing I liked most about this film was the fact there was no clear suspect. Due to what had to be the worst security ever, with Carolina  allowing everyone from foreign dignitaries to jilted lovers onboard (despite the top-secret nature of ...

Synopsis: When eccentric millionaire Cyrus Rutherford dies, his final instructions say some of his heirs will receive $500,000 and the rest $1.50 for cab fare. However, if he is not interred in a glass-roofed vault as instructed and is buried instead, the terms of his unread will would reverse. As Rutherford's heirs plot against each other, an insurance salesman, Albert Tuttle, arrives at the house and, thanks to Rutherford's beautiful niece, Carol, winds up in the middle of things. Who's in it? The movie stars Jack Haley , Bela Lugosi , Jean Parker , Blanche Yurka and Lyle Talbot . Review : I came across One Body Too Many a few days ago and thought it looked interesting enough to add to my library. I had an opportunity to watch it this morning and, while it wasn't as funny as I thought it might be, it still ended up being entertaining. Overall, I thought the plot of this film was unique and interesting. Even though the heirs didn't know how much Rutherford left...

Synopsis: A successful Paris painter and puppeteer, Gaston Morel, has a terrible secret. After painting his models, he later strangles them. When he meets Lucille Lutien, he begins to fall in love with the woman and decides to give up both his painting and homicidal ways. However, his past is threatening to catch up with him. Who's in it? The movie stars John Carradine , Jean Parker , Nils Asther , Teala Loring and Sonia Sorel . Review: I had heard of this movie but hadn't taken the time to watch it. However, I came across it last night and, since I wanted something to watch before going to bed, decided to give it a try. Overall, it ended up being a good choice. Even though I'm still a little confused about how Morel (Carradine) earned the nickname Bluebeard (he doesn't even have a beard and it makes him sound more like a pirate than a serial killer), I thought the overall story about an artist with homicidal tendencies intriguing. This is both because I wondered if ...