Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Seeking a cure for his werewolf curse, Larry Talbot travels to Ludwig Frankenstein's castle only to discover it has been burned to the ground and the monster still lives. Who's in it? The movie stars Bela Lugosi , Patric Knowles , Dwight Frye , Lionel Atwill and Lon Chaney Jr. Synopsis: It had been ages since I last watched Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man so, when I came across it this morning, I just had to take the time to watch it again. Unfortunately, while I usually enjoy the original Universal monster movies and the expanded universe that was created by them long before that became a regular thing, this one wasn't as good as I remembered. My biggest problem with this movie is, despite the title, Frankenstein's monster (Lugosi) and the Wolf Man (Chaney) share surprisingly little screen time. I would describe this as a film that was more or less a sequel to The Wolf Man that happens to have a cameo from the other monster that lasted only about 10 min...

Synopsis: Henry Frankenstein's son, Wolf, returns with his family to claim his inheritance and is quickly met with hostility from the villagers. When a half-crazed blacksmith, Ygor, reveals the creature still lives, Wolf decides to continue his father's experiments to redeem his family's now-forsaken name. However, while he is successful, he quickly learns the blacksmith has an ulterior motive for helping him. Who's in it?  The movie stars Boris Karloff , Bela Lugosi , Basil Rathbone , Lionel Atwill and Josephine Hutchinson. Review: I've seen this movie in the past but there are so few movies that star both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi (not to mention Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill too) so, when I had an opportunity to re-watch it, I did. Overall, I have to say it was as good as I remembered. There are a couple things, in particular, I like about this film. The first is Basil Rathbone's performance as Wolf von Frankenstein. One of my biggest complaints abo...

Synopsis: Recently released convict Leo Grainer invites a group of his former associates to the secluded home he shares with his stepdaughter, Gail. Before excusing himself and going to bed, Grainer gives each of his guests, Gail and his butler an individual clue, which they believe may lead to a hidden fortune. However, Grainer, bitter over the murder of his wife and believing one of his guests is the killer, has instead set up a series of deadly traps. Who's in it? The movie stars George Zucco , Lionel Atwill , Sharon Douglas, Veda Ann Borg and Jerome Cowan. Review: I came across Fog Island last night and, while it was a movie I had never heard about before, I am enough of a Lionel Atwill and George Zucco fan to add it to my list and watch it this morning. While it had an intriguing premise and the movie's two biggest stars held their own, the overall film fell a bit short of expectations. My biggest problem with this film is one I have with a lot of movies in this genre...

Synopsis: A rich and reclusive amputee invites the doctors who left him crippled to his mansion. One-by-one, they, along with the home's other guests, are murdered by a mysterious figure. Sensing his new love interest might also be in danger, a mystery writer must figure out who is behind the murders before it is too late. Who's in it?  The movie stars Bela Lugosi , Lionel Atwill , Irene Hervey, Nils Asther and Ralph Morgan . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Night Monster (1942) _____________________________________________________________ Here are some reviews of other movies starring Bela Lugosi: Movie Review: The Thirteenth Chair (1929) Movie Review: Spooks Run Wild (1941) Movie Review: Murder by Television (1935)

Synopsis: After a serial killer both murders and cannibalizes another victim in New York City, police suspect the culprit is one of the scientists at a medical academy. They agree to allow the head of the academy, Dr. Jerry Xavier, an opportunity to apprehend the killer himself and he decides to run a series of psychological tests, both on himself and his colleagues. Meanwhile, reporter Lee Taylor is nosing around the academy, hoping both to get a scoop and for romance with Dr. Xavier's daughter, Joanne. Who's in it? The movie stars Lionel Atwill , Lee Tracy , Fay Wray , Preston Foster and Leila Bennett . Review: I've had Doctor X saved to my library for several weeks and started watching it some time ago only to be interrupted and not get back around to it. I finally had a chance to see the full movie this morning and, overall, it was a good, if imperfect, film. This is the type of movie that makes me watch pre-code films whenever I get a chance. You don't see too...

Synopsis: A series of mysterious deaths in the village of  Kleinschloss cause the village leaders to suspect a vampire. Soon after, suspicions fall on an eccentric man by the name of Hermann Gleib because of his obsession with bats. However, the answer may not be as simple as that. Who's in it? The movie stars Lionel Atwill , Fay Wray , Dwight Frye , Melvyn Douglas and George E. Stone . Review: I picked out The Vampire Bat as my movie this morning for a pair of reasons. One of them was the number of recognizable Hollywood actors that starred in it, especially Hollywood's first scream queen, Wray and a horror movie icon, Frye. The other was the movie's description made it sound like a combination of my two favorite genres, horror and mystery. I think it ended up being a great choice. I think the thing I liked best about this film was the mystery surrounding the deaths. Everyone in the village seemed to be quick to believe it was the work of a vampire, likely one in the ...

Synopsis: When an aristocrat is found dead with two pin-sized marks on his neck and drained of blood, the locals suspect Count Mora and his daughter, Luna, of being vampires. However, authorities are hesitant to consider a supernatural explanation. Who's in it? The movie stars Lionel Barrymore , Bela Lugosi , Elizabeth Allan , Lionel Atwill and Carroll Borland. Review: I came across this movie early this morning and, even though I'm always a bit skeptical about Bela Lugosi in non-Dracula vampire roles, decided to give it a try, just in case it ended up being a pleasant surprise. As it turns out, it was better than expected. This is one of those movies that you need to watch in its entirety to fully understand the plot. At first glance, it just seems like another rip-off of Dracula , and not just because Lugosi walks around in a cape. Many of the plot elements are similar, including a doctor who is an expert in the supernatural (Barrymore) and a soon-to-be-married woman (All...

Synopsis:  Convicted of treason after helping a rebel during the Monmouth Rebellion against King James II, Dr. Peter Blood is sold into slavery in India. He is purchased by the niece of a local military commander and, with her help, becomes the governor's physician. However, despite his relatively easy workload, Blood's desire to be a free man results in him escaping with other slaves and becoming a pirate captain. Who's in it? The movie stars Errol Flynn , Olivia de Havilland , Lionel Atwill , Basil Rathbone and Ross Alexander. Review: I have seen bits and pieces of this movie over the years but had never actually taken the time to watch the film in its entirety. I changed that this weekend when, feeling a bit lazy on Sunday, decided to finally watch it. After doing so, I have to say it has become one of my favorite pirate movies. The overall story was an intriguing one. Blood (Flynn) starts out as a former soldier determined to choose helping people over violence but, ...