Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: When inventor Boyd Milburn discovers his wife, Peggy, standing over the dead body of a man who tried to rape her, he decides to take the blame for the murder to protect their daughter, Dorothy. Paroled after 15 years, he returns home to discover Peggy living a dream life, paid for with his inventions.  When Dorothy, now a grown woman who believes her father died, gets engaged to Paul Wallis, Peggy disapproves and threatens to disinherit her daughter, forcing Boyd to intervene and threaten to expose the truth if she doesn't let the wedding happen. However, things take a dark turn when Paul is falsely accused of killing the judge that sentenced Boyd, forcing the ex-con to decide what steps he is willing to take to once again protect his daughter. Who's in it? The movie stars Henry B. Walthall, Grace Valentine, Nancy Welford, Ricardo Cortez and Jack Curtis. Review: I came across about a half dozen movies last night that looked interesting and since I do have a limite...

Synopsis: Despite warnings about snow-covered roads and an incoming winter storm, a bus driver, Gus, pushes forward with four passengers. The bus gets stuck and the five take refuge in a nearby remote church, where they meet a Bill, a hobo who is also sheltering inside the building. The storm continues for days, forcing the six to survive on a small supply of food Bill has with him as they strip the church of all its wood to keep a fire burning. Who's in it? The movie stars Carole Lombard , William Boyd, Owen Moore, Phillips Smalley, Diane Ellis and Billy Bevan. Review: I added  High Voltage  to my movie library a few weeks ago but completely forgot about the movie until I came across it yesterday evening. I decided to watch the movie this morning and, while I had some doubts about how entertaining it would be, it turned out to be a good choice. This isn't a movie with a whole lot of action. You aren't going to see a whole lot of fights, the lone "fell through the i...

Synopsis: Steve Banks is a talented reporter but his hard drinking ways both put his career in jeopardy and have his wife, Margaret, seeking a divorce. When Banks gets a scoop regarding a drug ring, he attempts to use it to his advantage and get his job back. However, when the ringleader, Joe Reno, murders Banks' editor, Banks is the one blamed. Who's in it? The movie stars Robert Armstrong, Carole Lombard, Louis Payne, Tom Kennedy and Sam Hardy. Review: My first choice for a morning movie proved to be a bit dull so I quickly called an audible and selected Big News because it was the first film I came across that sounded interesting. After watching it, I have to say it was an OK choice. Banks (Armstrong) was an intriguing protagonist. He proved to be a clever and resourceful reporter throughout the movie. However, his heavy drinking, to the point he seemed to be blackout drunk at times, was as big an obstacle for him as any. At minimum, it destroyed his credibility but when ...

Synopsis: Alice "Bingo" Dowling has been raised in the South American jungle by her oil tycoon father and is free spirited as a result. When her father is murdered by one of his workers, she becomes his sole heir and travels back to New York with her "uncles," Ben and Howard. While on the ship back to the United States, she meets Andy McAllister and falls in love. However, Bingo's inexperience with men leads Ben and Howard to believe Andy is only after her money. Who's in it? The movie stars Joan Crawford , Robert Montgomery , Ernest Torrence , Holmes Herbert and Gwen Lee . Review: I picked Untamed for this morning's movie because the description made it sound a bit like Tarzan, but with a female lead. As it turns out, that description of the movie wasn't even remotely accurate and I ultimately had a mixed opinion about the film. As far as the plot goes, I thought it was OK. You have a woman, Bingo (Crawford), who is a bit unrefined because of h...

Synopsis: After having an argument with her boyfriend, a Scotland Yard detective, Alice White leaves the restaurant with an artist, Mr. Crewe, and agrees to come up to his studio/apartment. Crewe attempts to rape Alice, forcing her to stab him in self-defense. Her boyfriend, Frank, discovers her glove at the scene and chooses to protect her. However, they are soon blackmailed by Tracy, a man who claims to have witnessed the murder. Who's in it? This Alfred Hitchcock directed movie stars Anny Ondra , John Longden , Donald Calthrop , Cyril Ritchard and Sara Allgood . Review: After watching a documentary about the making of Blackmail yesterday morning, I decided I wanted to watch it as soon as I had an opportunity. As it turns out, it was available on Amazon Prime, and I was able to watch it earlier today. I wasn't disappointed. The premise of the movie is a good one. Alice (Ondra) is a victim more than anything and was only trying to avoid being raped. If it weren't for ...

Synopsis: When his friend, Spencer Lee, is murdered, Edward Wales holds a party in India with 11 friends and family members to stage a seance with Madame Rosalie La Grange and get person he believes is the killer to confess. However, after all the lights are turned off and before La Grange can reveal the name of the suspected killer, Wales is also murdered. When Inspector Delzante arrives to investigate, he names La Grange's daughter, Nellie, as the primary suspect, forcing the medium to try to solve the murders herself. Who's in it? The movie stars Conrad Nagel , Leila Hyams , Bela Lugosi , Mary Forbes and Margaret Wycherly. Review: Considering it was the movie that made Bela Lugosi a household name, it is sometimes easy to forget he had been a Hollywood actor prior to filming Dracula in 1931. That's why, when I came across The Thirteenth Chair , a film that was made two years prior, I decided to add it to my library. My opinion of it was a bit mixed. The main plot of ...

Synopsis: Gabbo is a talented but eccentric ventriloquist who is abusive to his caring and loyal assistant, Mary. When Mary finally has enough and leaves him, Gabbo continues on to become a big success. However, when they wind up in the same stage show two years later, he makes an effort to get her back, only to find out it is too late. Who's in it? The movie stars Erich von Stroheim , Betty Compson , Donald Douglas , Marjorie Kane and George Grandee . Review: When I came across this film on Shudder last night, I assumed it would be a classic horror film and, since I always thought ventriloquist dummies were a bit creepy, I was interested in watching it. However, after seeing the movie, I can not only say it wasn't a horror film by any definition of the term, I couldn't even begin to tell you how it should be classified. To be fair, the basic plot of the film wasn't too bad in theory. There really wasn't a whole lot to like about Gabbo (Stroheim), both because ...