Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Philosophy Professor Henry Todhunter learns he only has six months to live and after philosophical discussion with his colleagues, decides to commit a murder that will benefit humanity. He eventually settles on Ketti Moret, a woman running a fraudulent art scam that is ruining the life of his former student Michael Farroway. However, his action results in unexpected consequences, including Michael being arrested for the murder. Who's in it? The movie stars Thomas Mitchell, Mona Maris, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Lynn and Jonathan Hale.  Review: My daughter's community theater musical opened this weekend and there was a cast party at the local bowling alley following last night's performance. I had no interest in making two trips across down or sitting in the bar area, so I stayed in the car and watched a movie on my phone. I picked the film turned out to be Flight from Destiny, and it ended up being a great choice. The movie's plot was intriguing because ...

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: 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: Former United States Marshal Buck Roberts is looking forward to retirement on his cattle ranch but is called into action one more time when stagecoaches are robbed outside Mesa City, Arizona and threaten to put stagecoach owner Ruth Masters out of business. Roberts suspects local saloon owner Steve Taggart of being behind the robberies in an attempt to seize control of Ruth's business but before he can find proof, is framed and arrested. Fortunately, Roberts has reinforcements already in Mesa City. Who's in it? The movie stars Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, Raymond Hatton, Luana Walters and Tristram Coffin . Review: I didn't get an opportunity last night to pick out a movie for this morning, so I ended up just choosing the first one that could be watched in about an hour. That turned out to be Arizona Bound. While it wasn't my favorite classic western, it still turned out to be a decent choice. The plot itself was fairly simplistic. There was no attempt to create ...

Synopsis: Joseph Reynolds secretly owns the boarding house he rents a room from while conducting mysterious business with his partner, Ram Singh, and carrying out an affair both with the mistress of the house and the maid. When he is found brutally stabbed in his room, all the house's tenants become murder suspects. Who's in it? The movie stars Frieda Inescort , Paul Cavanagh , Heather Angel, Bruce Lester and Miles Mander. Review: I came across Shadows on the Stairs a couple days ago and, mostly because it was being compared to Sherlock Holmes, I decided to take the time to watch it. I wasn't able to get through the whole movie in one sitting, but I did finally manage to watch the rest of it last night. Unfortunately, it just wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. To be fair, the film does have a decent start to it. It quickly, but effectively, introduces the viewer to the victim (Cavanagh) and all the people who would later be suspects in his murder. The myster...

Synopsis: When several young women go missing before being found dead, the police and assistant district attorney are baffled. Reporter Nora Page, however, conducts her own investigation and finds a link between the women and a school of fine arts owned by a local gangster. There is just one problem, Nora's father, a talent agent, may be connected. Who's in it? The movie stars Astrid Allwyn, John Archer , H. B. Warner, Philip Van Zandt and Boyd Irwin. Review: I came across City of Missing Girls last night and, since I'm always game for a classic mystery/film noir, decided to add it to my list for this morning. Overall, I would describe it as an OK film but also in need of something a little bit more. I thought Nora Page (Allwyn) was an interesting character, a strong woman who wasn't afraid to stick her nose into situations, even if it put her in danger while, at the same time, clearly keeping her heart open for the assistant district attorney, James Horton (Archer)...

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: While traveling onboard a ship, newspaper reporter Jim Moore falls in love with Sandy Vantine, who is traveling with her uncle, Paul. Paul is in possession of a wooden chest he believes to be a counterfeit created by a master criminal known as the Black Parrot while a Scotland Yard inspector Colonel Pickett, is also onboard, hoping to catch the thief and forger. During the trip, Paul realizes he doesn't have a forgery and, instead, a real antique chest worth as much as $250,000. Soon after, someone sounds an alarm and, while people are distracted, breaks into Paul's cabin. The chest makes it safely back to the Vantine house but eventually takes a deadly turn when Paul and a stranger seeking Paul's time are both killed by poison. Who's in it? The movie stars William Lundigan , Maris Wrixon , Eddie Foy Jr ., Paul Cavanagh and Luli Deste. Review: I came across The Case of the Black Parrot last night and since I was in the mood for a classic mystery, I decide...

Synopsis: As he prepares to be executed for murder, Nick Ross confesses to a group of witnesses and claims to have been working for a benefactor. However, before he can give that man's name, he is killed by a poisoned dart. District Attorney Roger Phillips immediately locks down the room and, after searching the witnesses, arrests the elderly Lanning, who knew Ross from when he was a boy. The arrest is merely a ruse to give Phillips an opportunity to figure out who the real murderer is with help from his news reporter girlfriend, Geri Reynolds. Who's in it? The movie stars Ricardo Cortez , Joan Woodbury , George Pembroke , Pat Gleason and Iris Adrian. Review: It was very cold out this morning and while trying to get the motivation to face the frigid temps and go to the office, I found a movie to watch on Amazon Prime. I Killed That Man sounded like an interesting locked room mystery, so I gave it a try and wasn't disappointed. There were a couple things I really liked ab...

Synopsis: Playboy Ted Brown is disinherited by his father after another drunken bar fight. Homeless and penniless, Ted gets into a drunken stupor and nearly walks off a cliff before being saved by redhead Dale Carter, who reluctantly takes him to her apartment to sober him up. Realizing Dale is also having financial difficulties, Ted comes up with a plan and convinces her to marry him, believing his father would be so upset by the arrangement, he would pay for them to get divorced. Instead, seeing through the ruse, Ted's dad lets them stay married and even secretly offers Dale $10,000 if she can make Ted grow up. She accepts the offer and has success. There's just one problem; she's falling in love with him. Who's in it? The movie stars June Lang , Johnny Downs , Eric Blore , Weldon Heyburn and Frank Jaquet. Review: I've had Redhead in my Amazon Prime Video library for several weeks and finally took the time to watch it this morning. At first, I figured it woul...

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: Francis Warren has a secret. Even though he is already a successful investment consultant by day, he writes scandalous mystery novels under the penname F. X. Pettijohn on the side, something his wife doesn't even know. The latter comes into play when he accepts a new but shady client, Leopold Fissure, who insists on his help turning uncut diamonds into money if he doesn't want his secret revealed. This becomes even more complicated when Fissure is found murdered on a yacht. Who's in it? The movie stars Errol Flynn , Alan Hale , Brenda Marshall , Ralph Bellamy and Lee Patrick . Review: I came across Footsteps in the Dark a couple days ago and, because I usually enjoy Errol Flynn movies and almost always enjoy murder mysteries, I added it to my library. I watched it early this morning before heading into the office and it turned out to be a good choice. I'm always somewhat amused by classic movies like this by the way the authorities are so willing to let a...

Synopsis: Out of work and with bill collectors pounding on his door, chemical engineer Lucky Downing accepts $1,000 to pretend to be engaged to beautiful heiress Elinor Bentley Fairchild for one month. He is thrilled to be making money for easy work until he learns Elinor's previous three fiancés were attacked by a mysterious figure known as the Smiling Ghost and his life is likely in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Wayne Morris , Brenda Marshall , Alexis Smith , Alan Hale and Willie Best. Review: I had this movie in my library for a few weeks and finally had an opportunity to sit down and watch it earlier today. At first, I wasn't really sure what to expect from it, but it ended up being an entertaining film. I think the thing I liked best about this movie is, in addition to being funny, it has a good mystery. At first, the ghost/killer seemed obvious since there were those who had motive to make sure Elinor (Smith) didn't get married. However, there were quit...

Synopsis: Charles Kessler believes his wife left him, but she is actually being hidden by one of his servants after suffering brain damage from an automobile accident. Whenever Charles sees her wandering the grounds at night, it causes him to go into a trance that turns him into a homicidal maniac. Who's in it? The movie stars Bela Lugosi , Polly Ann Young , Clarence Muse , John McGuire and Betty Compson. Review: I came across this film on one of our movie channels a few days ago and, since I had some extra time this morning, decided to watch it. It wasn't quite what I was expecting it to be but did turn out to be a decent movie overall. I had hoped this film would be more of a mystery, with servants' bodies popping up and no idea who was behind the murders and, at first at least, was a bit disappointed when the movie revealed it was Kessler (Lugosi) committing them. However, as the movie progressed, I found that wasn't as important as I thought it would be. The way...

Synopsis: Dorian Doubleday is a railroad clerk who remembers everything he reads. After receiving his draft notice, he memorizes all the Army procedure manuals and his detailed knowledge results in him instantly being promoted to first sergeant. However, a group of unruly draftees, an eccentric colonel, and a jealous buck sergeant put his promotion in jeopardy. Who's in it? The movie stars William Tracy , James Gleason , Joe Sawyer , Elyse Knox and Douglas Fowley . Review: I came across this movie this morning and, while I wasn't really sure if I would enjoy it or not, I decided to give it a try. It turns out this film was a lot funnier than I was expecting. At first, I thought the movie was just going to be about Doubleday (Tracy) using his photographic memory to earn the sergeant's spot, which honestly sounded like it might be a bit predictable and dull. However, watching him make the adjustment after earning his promotion turned out to be the thing to make this movie...

Synopsis: Hoping to boost recruitment by putting on a musical revue, the all-female Mar Brynn Horticulture School decides to offer scholarships to 12 beauty pageant winners and, to advertise the effort, pokes fun at a Quincton College fraternity. Seeking revenge by causing a scandal, the fraternity president, Bob Sheppard wins one of the scholarships posing as a woman. However, the plan quickly begins to fall apart when he falls in love with one of the students, Virginia. Who's in it? The movie stars Frances Langford , Johnny Downs , Marjorie Woodworth , Esther Dale and Alan Hale, Jr. Review: I came across this movie some time ago on Epix and was undecided about whether to watch it or not. Ultimately, I remembered I enjoyed similar films, like The Cowboy Quarterback , and decided to take the time to watch it. After finally seeing it, I find myself somewhat disappointed with the way this movie wasted its potential. Sometimes a movie can have a really good premise and ruin it by ...

Synopsis: After changing his name to Bill Brady, a former gunslinger now performs with a traveling medicine show. When he and his companions are chased out of Deadwood, a small town run by corrupt businessmen, Brady offers to help a gang of exiled citizens. Things become more complicated when his friend, Professor Gabby Blackstone, is robbed of an inheritance and the only way to find proof of who did it is by burglarizing the bank and robbing a stagecoach. Who's in it? The movie stars Roy Rogers , George 'Gabby' Hayes , Carol Adams , Sally Payne and Henry Brandon . Review: My wife and youngest daughter were at a Halloween party yesterday and didn't get home until late evening. While waiting for them, I decided to find a movie to watch and, since it had been a while since I saw a Roy Rogers movie, I picked this one out. Overall, I thought it was a good choice. There were a couple things about this movie I found I enjoyed. One of the main ones is the film managed to s...

Synopsis: Alvin York, a poor young farmer in Tennessee, aspires to upgrade his status by buying a piece of more fertile farmland and begins to see his fortunes change for the better when he finds religion. When the United States enters World War I and he is drafted, Alvin attempts to get an exemption as a conscientious objector but has his request denied, forcing him to serve overseas, where his sharpshooting skills make him a war hero. Who's in it? The movie stars Gary Cooper , Walter Brennan , Joan Leslie , Stanley Ridges and George Tobias. Review: I had some free time on Memorial Day and, mostly because I had never seen it before, decided to give this movie a try. Overall, while there were some things I wasn't a huge fan of, I could understand why this film was a classic. In all honesty, I don't know enough about the real Alvin York to tell you what was real in this movie and what was pure fiction but I did like how the movie gave the title character a solid character...

Synopsis: Radio show host Wally "The Fox" Benton is famous for his ability to think up clever fictional murder scenarios (which he then solves in his show). This talent attracts the attention of a group of scam artist cult leaders who kidnap Benton, his fiancee and his sponsor's daughter in an effort to force him to help them get away with a real murder. Who's in it? The movie stars Red Skelton , Ann Rutherford , Virginia Grey , Conrad Veidt and Rags Ragland. Review:  I watch a lot of classic films. So, I was surprised when I realized I have not watched many Red Skelton movies. So, when I came across this film on one of my movie channels a couple weeks ago, I decided to record it. I finally had a chance to watch it yesterday (starting it at lunch and finishing it before going to bed) and, after seeing it, I do have to say I enjoyed it. I think the thing I liked about this film is, even though Skelton's Wally Benton character managed to keep it upbeat...