Steven Helmer Publications

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: The valuable Stonehaven necklace is set to be transferred to the Chicago branch of the Cartell & Co. jewelry store, which had a recent unsolved robbery. Shortly before it is delivered, a man first calling himself Mr. Adams and then Everett G. Northrup arrives, claiming to be from the New York office to check on security. When the doubtful store manager, Frank Randall calls to check up on his visitor he speaks with the real Everett G. Northrup, who arrives on the next plane, assumes the name Jimmy Dale and goes to work as the imposter's secretary to keep an eye on him. Only, it is all a ruse. The men know each other, have assumed each other's identities and are working together, only not in the way that first seems. Who's in it? The movie stars Peter Cookson , Tim Ryan , Marjorie Weaver , Pierre Watkin, Clara Blandick and John Hamilton. Review: For reasons I've never been able to explain, I occasionally pick out a movie to watch only to not be able to f...

Synopsis: After Melinda Marshall gets hired to sing at Carnegie Hall, she, her sister Susanna, and their father Col. Marshall move from Georgia to New York and lease an old house. Almost immediately after moving in, the family begins to see and hear strange things. Believing the house is haunted, they accept help from their goofy neighbors, Ole and Chic. Things take a serious turn when the home's caretaker is found murdered. Who's in it? The movie stars Chic Johnson, Ole Olsen, Gloria Jean, Martha O'Driscoll, Walter Catlett and Lon Chaney, Jr. Review: I picked Ghost Catchers this morning because the description incorrectly described it as an East Side Kids film. After discovering, via the opening credits, that wasn't the case, I still decided to watch the movie because some of the most entertaining films I've watched were by accident. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case this time. I guess, to start, I am going to say this film's overall plot wasn't a...

Synopsis: Three Texas Rangers, Tex, Jim and Panhandle, are hunting a gang of outlaws known as the Devils Brand Gang because of a devil-related calling card they leave behind at their crimes. They are able to track down the gang and their leader, Jack Varno, thanks to a letter from Molly Dawson, whose uncle was killed by Varno's men and is now struggling to keep her ranch because of their rustling.  Needing evidence, Panhandle manages to infiltrate the gang. However, Varno isn't fooled long and their lives, along with Molly's life, are soon in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Dave O'Brien , James Newill, Guy Wilkerson , Ellen Hall and I. Stanford Jolley . Review: I was undecided about what movie to watch this morning, so I just went through my library and picked the first movie that caught my eye. That ended up being Brand of the Devil. Overall, I would put this in the same category most classic westerns end up in - entertaining but nothing that is necessaril...

Synopsis: After attempting to replicate Frankenstein's experiments, Dr. Gustave Niemann is sent to prison. Niemann, however, escapes with the help of another inmate, Daniel, a hunchback who is looking for a new body. The pair commit murder to take over a traveling horror exhibit and resurrect Dracula, whose body is one of the attractions, to get revenge on the man who sent Niemann to prison. Later, they meet the Wolf Man and come across the original Frankenstein's monster. Who's in it? The movie stars Boris Karloff , John Carradine , Glenn Strange , Lon Chaney, Jr . and Anne Gwynne. Review: I had some time yesterday evening while my wife was at her sewing studio so, since I recently re-watched Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man , I figured I would give House of Frankenstein another try as well. I didn't remember much about this movie, other than I recalled not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. After re-watching it, I now remember why I had that opinion. On the s...