Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: On his 18th birthday, Mugs McGinnis learns his father's wealthy ex-business partner, "Uncle" Pete Monahan, is coming to visit from Texas. Mugs, an only child, also learns his uncle, through a series of lies told by his now-deceased father, believes he has five brothers and a sister.  Wanting to protect his dad's reputation as well as his mother, who has been accepting annual birthday checks for her fictional children, he convinces his friends to pose as his family, with Glimpy dressed in drag as his sister. However, a local gangster, looking to score a big payday, complicates things when he learns of the ruse. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bobby Jordan , Noah Beery and Amelita Ward . Review: I added Clancy Street Boys to my movie library some time ago but as sometimes happens, it temporarily disappeared when I tried to watch it. It re-appeared in the library recently and I finally gave it a try this morning. While I wasn...

Synopsis: When Muggs and the rest of the East Side Kids stop a mugging and recover a wallet full of cash, the wealthy victim, John Cortland, rewards them by giving them 24/7 access to the gymnasium in his mansion. The help from Muggs and company doesn't stop there. They also save a dinner party, stop Courtland's daughter from marrying a conman and, after learning Courtland's son, Roy, was one of the muggers, work to turn him away from a life of crime. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall, Louise Currie, Johnny Duncan and Herbert Heyes. Review: I couldn't make up my mind between a choice of three movies this morning, so I called an audible and looked for another East Side Kids/Bowery Boy film instead. Million Dollar Kid has been in my library for a while, and I finally gave it a try. It ended up being a good choice. I think the thing I liked best about this movie is how the film does a good job showing why Muggs (Gorcey) is the leader of his gang....

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: The East Side Kids, minus Muggs, accept a job at an aviation factory run by Algy's father, Mr. Reynolds. The factory has been under attack from spies, who nearly kill test pilot Tom Larson by sabotaging his plane. Muggs, who spends his day wandering around the airfield while waiting to drive his gang home, begins to suspect Dr. Richard Nagel, the owner of a new air ambulance, of being the mastermind. However, Nagel's stellar reputation and Muggs' not-so-stellar reputation result in his theory immediately being dismissed, forcing him to find proof. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bobby Jordan , Dave O'Brien , Joan Barclay , George Pembroke and Ernest Morrison . Review: I forgot to pick out a movie for this morning so, since it had been a while since I last watched an East Side Kids/Bowery Boys film, I figured I'd just do a quick search for one. Flying Wild was one of the first I came across and it looked interesting, so I gave it a try. A...

Synopsis: Sach Jones buys an old lamp at the pawn shop and is surprised to discover it contains a genie willing to grant his every wish, something his friend Slip Mohoney quickly tries to capitalize on as well. However, the lamp is soon stolen by a group of gangsters working for Duke Dolan who, after learning the genie can only grant wishes made by Sach and Slip, attempt to abduct the pair as well. Meanwhile, a pair of Arabs are also hunting for the lamp and join in the chaos. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bernard Gorcey , Eric Blore and Robert Bice. Review: When I came across Bowery to Bagdad this morning, I had quite a few doubts about the film. Bowery Boys movies, especially some of the later ones, have always been a bit hit-or-miss for me and this seemed like one that was taking things a little too out of the realm of believability. However, I watched it this morning and it turned out to be one of my favorites. As is the case with other later films...

Synopsis: After the Eastside Kids convince Mr. Wilkes to provide the race entry fee for a thoroughbred, Bluenight, Muggs Mahoney uses the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a jockey. He, however, soon learns it is more difficult than he imagined and a chance to redeem himself is put at risk by a crooked bookie tries to sabotage Bluenight. Who's in it? The movie stars Bobby Jordan , Leo Gorcey , Clarence Muse , Dave O'Brien , Milton Kibbee, Joyce Bryant . Review: It had been a few weeks since I last watched an Eastside Kids/Bowery Boys movie, so I figured I'd add one to my list and after searching, chose That Gang of Mine  primarily because the idea of Muggs Mahoney (Gorcey) riding a horse seemed interesting. I watched it this morning and it proved to be an OK choice. There were a couple things I liked about this movie. One of the main ones was the journey Muggs needed to take to be a jockey. The movie acknowledged a kid from New York probably wouldn't know anyt...

Synopsis: After Louie's window is once again broken by a stray baseball, Slip Mahoney and Sach travel to Dr. David Gravesend's home to convince him to let the neighborhood kids use one of his Bowery commercial properties as a baseball diamond. When they arrive, they discover a home filled with eccentric relatives, an ape, a man-eating plant and vampires. They also discover Gravesend plans to use Slip's head for a robot he and his relative, Anton, are building. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bernard Gorcey , Lloyd Corrigan and John Dehner. Review: I hadn't planned on watching a movie this morning because it was foggy outside and I figured I should leave for the office a bit earlier as a result. However, when I came across The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters , I decided to give it a try. I am happy to report I still made it to the office safely. My opinion about the movie, however, was a bit mixed. I'll start by saying, even though it isn...

Synopsis: Things aren't quite right with the East Side Kids after Danny's sister, Ruth, testifies against one of their own for participating in a bank robbery and Danny himself collects a reward for capturing a wanted criminal, Butch Brocalli, and doesn't immediately share it. Their strained friendship is then put to the test when Butch breaks out of prison and puts Danny in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bobby Jordan , Huntz Hall , Gale Storm and Maxie Rosenbloom. Review: As has happened to me too often lately, I had planned on watching another movie this morning but then couldn't remember what it was (stupid old age). So, needing an alternative, I once again fell back on the East Side Kids with their movie, Smart Alecks . Overall, it was an OK film, though my opinion did end up being a bit mixed. The movie's plot, once it happened, was solid. The story focused on loyalty to your friends/gang and the d...

Synopsis: Mugs, Danny and the rest of the East Side Kids come to the rescue when they hear Sylvia crying for help because her abusive stepfather, Morley, is forcibly trying to force her to run away with him. Morley is left unconscious by the gang but is murdered by a crime boss, McGaffey, a short time later. When Danny is arrested for the crime, McGaffey uses evidence from the scene as a way to blackmail Mugs into helping him with a burglary.  Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bobby Jordan , Huntz Hall , Mark Lawrence, Dave O'Brien and Ann Gillis. Review: I have had 'Neath Brooklyn Bridge in my library for a few months because every time I planned to watch it, I ended up choosing something else instead. I finally did the opposite this morning, changing my mind about another film and selecting this movie as the alternative. Overall, it was an OK choice. While I would consider the majority of this movie a drama, there was a nice mix of comedy throughout to keep i...

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: Friends Muggs McGinnis and Danny Breslin seemed destined to take different paths. Danny is a talented boxer and good student while the local authorities believe Muggs will eventually end up in prison. After Muggs and Danny get into a fight, Muggs is given the choice to become a boxer instead of going to reform school and starts straightening his life out. Danny, meanwhile, begins associating with Monk Martin, a juvenile criminal who tempts him down a path of crime. Both boys face a crossroads when Muggs is offered money to throw a fight, and Danny takes a bullet in a police shootout. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bobby Jordan , Warren Hull , Charlotte Henry and Bobby Stone. Review: It had been several weeks since I last watched a Bowery Boys/East Side Kids movie so, when I came across Bowery Blitzkrieg this morning, I decided to give it a try. This was one of the earliest films I've seen from this series, and it ended up surprising me in ...

Synopsis: Horace "Sach" Jones is invited to an estate in London, England, to visit a distant relative, a wealthy but elderly earl who wants to meet all his potential heirs before he dies. Sach accepts the invitation and travels across the ocean with his four friends in tow. The earl takes a shine to Sach and wants to make him his primary heir but when the rest of the relatives find out, they plot to kill both the earl and, if needed Sach. Who's in it? The movie stars Huntz Hall , Leo Gorcey , Bernard Gorcey , Angela Greene and Walter Kingsford. Review: I came across the Bowery Boys film Loose in London last night and decided to watch it this morning. Since I've had mixed opinions of the previous films I've watched, I wasn't really sure what to expect but this did turn out to be an OK film to watch. As is the case with most later Bowery Boys movies, the film does the bare minimum to keep the concept alive by having a smaller "gang" but with the f...

Synopsis: When noted French chemist Maurice Gaston LeBeau goes missing while working on a top-secret rocket fuel, Sach's resemblance to the scientist makes him the perfect choice as a double/decoy to drive the real scientist out of hiding. While it seems to be the perfect opportunity for a Paris vacation with Slip and Louie, Sach soon learns his life is in danger from spies. Who's in it? The movie stars Huntz Hall , Leo Gorcey , Bernard Gorcey , Veola Vonn and Steven Geray . Review: I ended up watching Paris Playboys this morning for the same reason I pick many of my early-morning films, the shorter runtime. My experience with Bowery Boys films has been a bit hit or miss, though I have found just enough gems to keep giving them a try. Unfortunately, this one fit better in the "miss" category. Ironically, while my biggest complaint about Bowery Boys films usually is the result of too much going on, this film was much more on the opposite side with not much substan...

Synopsis: A case of mistaken identity leads to Terence "Slip" Mahoney believing he has inherited a seaside manor when it is in fact another Terence Mahoney who was the heir. He and the rest of the Bowery Boys visit the estate and discover a diamond smuggling operation being run out of it.  Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Martin Kosleck , Amelita Ward and Paul Harvey . Review: While I'll stop short of calling myself a fan, Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys have grown on me just enough to be willing to give their movies a chance when I come across one, including this morning. They are still a bit hit or miss for me though, and Smuggler's Cove falls a bit into that latter category. The overall plot of this movie isn't terrible and there are a few funny moments that made me laugh. For one, I enjoyed watching Slip (Gorcey) walking through the house and pricing out the various items at a fraction of what they were worth. It was the kind of c...

Synopsis: Muggs and the rest of the East Side Kids are arrested and sent to summer camp. They learn there is a notorious killer in the area and suspicions fall on a strange man who recently moved into a remote home. Things appear to turn supernatural when Peewee is shot, and the rest of the gang believes he turned into a zombie. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Bela Lugosi , David Gorcey , Dorothy Short and Bobby Jordan. Review: I decided to give Spooks Run Wild a try this morning because, while I'm still not a big East Side Kids fan, I noticed it once again featured Bela Lugosi. That, and I couldn't find much else to watch. It ended up being an OK decision. As was the case with Ghosts on the Loose , the movie the film relies a lot on sight comedy that tends to distract from the overall plot. Some of the scenes were humorous while others just seemed like they were there to fill time. Basically, it was a movie that was designed to showcase what the East Side Ki...

Synopsis: When Glimpy's sister, Betty, gets married to Jack, Muggs and the rest of the East Side Kids decide to surprise the newlyweds by fixing up their new home before they get back from the honeymoon. However, in doing so, Muggs and the gang stumble upon a Nazi plot after mistakenly entering the wrong house. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bela Lugosi , Ava Gardner and Bobby Jordan . Review: I'm not a big East Side Kids fan and probably would have skipped over Ghosts on the Loose under normal circumstances. However, I saw this film also had Bela Lugosi and Ava Gardner in it and since I like both of them, decided to give it a try while waiting for my daughter to get done with work. I didn't hate it, but it didn't do much to change my mind about the East Side Kids either. My biggest problem with this movie was, for a film that is only about an hour in length, there is quite a bit filler. Many of the sight gags were drawn out longer than ...