Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: After her brother is murdered by her ruthless neighbor, Buffer, Delores Carter seeks a professional gunfighter to get revenge and hires the mysterious Drake Robey. What Delores doesn't know is Robey is a vampire who is responsible for a series of mysterious deaths around the local old west town. Who's in it? The movie stars Michael Pate, Kathleen Crowley, John Hoyt , Bruce Gordon and Eric Fleming. Review: I had planned on watching another vampire movie this morning but came across Curse of the Undead first. The idea of a vampire movie mixed with the western genre was interesting and I did enjoy Billy the Kid Versus Dracula more than expected so I decided to give it a try.  Unfortunately, it failed to live up to expectations. As far as the western part of it goes, that truthfully wasn't terrible. It had the evil landowner (Gordon), a beautiful damsel in distress (Crowley), a small-town preacher (Fleming) who was obviously the movie's hero, and an unstoppab...

Synopsis: After his colleague, Dr. Karol Noymann, is killed during an atomic weapon experiment, Dr. Adam Penner resigns in protest of the weapons research. Soon after, he is visited by an alien possessing Noymann's body, warning him of an impending invasion and destruction if the humans don't surrender first. Penner's warnings are ignored and Earth soon is soon facing defeat. The planet's only hope is Penner being able to make the invisible aliens visible. Who's in it? The movie stars John Agar , Philip Tonge, Jean Byron, Robert Hutton and John Carradine . Review: I have had Invisible Invaders in my movie library for a few weeks and, since it had been a little while since I last watched a classic alien invasion film, I figured I'd give it a try this morning. Overall, it was OK but not a movie I would describe as particularly spectacular. The movie does have some good things going for it. For example, the aliens have quite a few advantages over the humans - t...

Synopsis: A successful cosmetic company owner, Janice Starlin is informed sales are decreasing because she is the face of the company and her customers see her getting noticeably older. When the eccentric Dr. Eric Zinthrop shows he can reduce aging with a serum he created using royal jelly from a queen wasp, Janice agrees to fund his research on the condition she is used as one of his test subjects. The serum works and she is soon twenty years younger. However, the serum comes with an unexpected side effect, she periodically turns into a deadly wasp-like creature. Who's in it? The movie stars Susan Cabot , Anthony Eisley , Michael Mark, Barboura Morris and William Reorick. Review: I am a fan of most Roger Corman movies and when I came across The Wasp Woman on Amazon Prime, I decided to add it to my watch list as a result. Truthfully, it wasn't one of my favorites from the director, but I also didn't hate it. The film is pretty much what you'd expect from a movie ma...

Synopsis: A pathologist becomes obsessed with fear and how the emotion can cause people to die. After conducting a series of experiments, he discovers a parasitic creature that grows when people are scared and can only be stopped when someone screams. He captures the creature in an effort to study it closer but, in doing so, puts people in danger. Who's in it?  The movie stars Vincent Price , Patricia Cutts, Judith Evelyn, Daryl Hickman and Philip Coolidge. Review: The Tingler was on my "to-watch" list for a few months before I finally got around to watching it with my daughter several years ago and was pleasantly surprised by it. Since it had been so long, I decided to re-watch it and it still proved to be an unexpected treat. The film takes a little while to get started, with the writers building up the suspense up until the point he finally finds and captures "the Tingler." Unlike way too many other movies though, it does prove to be worth the wait because o...

Synopsis: Despite a tendency to disobey orders and apprehension from his commanding officer and brother, Chuck, Lt. Dan Prescott is chosen to be the first man launched into space. Once outside the Earth's atmosphere, Dan chooses to once again ignore his orders by pushing the ship to 250 miles above the planet and, as a result, loses control after passing through a mysterious dense cloud. The ship is later found encrusted in a rock-like material that is impervious to x-rays and other tests. Dan, meanwhile, has been turned into a blood-thirsty monster that is wandering New Mexico and killing people. Who's in it? The movie stars Marshall Thompson , Bill Edwards, Robert Ayres, Carl Jaffe, Bill Nagy and Marla Landi . Review: While I'm not a huge classic science fiction fan, I do enjoy the occasional movie filmed prior to mankind achieving space travel for real. Those movies often offer an interesting take on what space travel will do for the human race. In some cases, it'...

Synopsis: In April of 1953, peace talks to end the Korean War are at a standstill when a piece of high ground nicknamed Porkchop Hill becomes an unexpected bargaining chip for whichever side holds it. When the hill is seized by the Chinese, Lt. Joe Clemons is instructed to lead three platoons to reclaim it. He does as he is ordered, sustaining a large number of casualties in the process. However, he soon learns the U. S. Army High Command, believing the hill isn't worth the cost of any more life, isn't going to send him reinforcements, forcing him and a small number of exhausted men to hold off an impending Chinese counterattack on their own. Who's in it? The movie stars Gregory Peck , Woody Strode , George Peppard , Rip Torn and George Shibata. Review: I remember watching Pork Chop Hill when I was too young to really understand what it was about and when I recently came across the movie again, I decided to add it to my library. I ended up watching it this morning and ...

Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are asked to investigate the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who was found dead in the moor surrounding his estate, in a manor that suggested a connection to an old family legend involving a Hell hound sent to curse the family. Holmes is skeptical but sends Watson to accompany Henry Baskerville, the last heir, back to the estate. It doesn't take long to realize Henry Baskerville's life is also in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee ,  André Morell , Marla Landi and Francis De Wolff. Review: I selected The Hound of the Baskervilles this morning because it was one of the movies on ScreenPix's list of movies to watch before you die. I have seen more than one version of this film, which is based on one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes books. I think, after watching it, I can claim it is my favorite. The mystery itself is an intriguing one. While the Hell hound theory seems farfetched from the start...

Synopsis: When 17-year-old high school student, Judy, returns from Vegas married to 24-year-old law student, Steve, she assumes everyone will be happy for her. Instead, both her parents and her best friend think she made a mistake, and she is bullied at school. On top of it, Steve's jealousy and pride soon make married life unbearable. Who's in it? The movie stars Anita Sands , Ron Foster , Chris Robinson , Wendy Wilde and Frank Biro . Review: I ended up watching The Diary of a High School Bride this morning mostly because I heard it was the double feature usually shown with the recently watched Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow and figured I'd give it a try. I had some doubts about the film, mostly because it sounded like it might be a bit dull/preachy. However, it ended up being surprisingly good. I think the thing I liked most about this film is it didn't necessarily take a side on the whole teenagers getting married debate and instead focused on Judy's (Sands) spe...

Synopsis: A group of car-loving teenagers are facing eviction from their clubhouse and because of an unfair belief they are just delinquents, can't find anybody else willing to provide them with a space. This changes when the elderly Anastasia Abernathy offers them her home. There's just one condition, it's haunted and they need to chase away the ghost. Who's in it? The movie stars Jody Fair , Russ Bender , Elaine DuPont , Leon Tyler and Dorothy Neumann. Review: When I saw Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow described as a horror movie on ScreenPix last night, I suspected the description was wrong, based mostly on the movie's artwork. However, figuring it would be a comedy, not unlike The Ghost and Mr. Chicken , I figured I'd give it a try this morning. As it turns out, it was something I truly wasn't expecting, and I'm still undecided if that was a good thing or not. This film, which I think was geared toward teenagers, does have some moments. I especially l...

Synopsis: Following World War II, a group of six ex-German soldiers are given the task of defusing unexploded bombs around Berlin. The pay and rations are good but the odds of being killed are high, so the group makes a pact to place half their wages in a pool as an additional financial reward for anyone who survives three months. Tensions soon begin to grow as their team quickly shrinks from exploding bombs and other hazards. Who's in it? The movie stars Jack Palance , Jeff Chandler , Martine Carol , Dave Willock and Robert Cornthwaite. Review: As often happens, I was scrolling through my library for one movie this morning only to be reminded about another one and choose that instead. In this particular case it ended up being Ten Seconds to Hell . I didn't regret calling the audible. I think the thing that impressed me most about this movie is the roller coaster of emotions it takes you on over the course of 94 minutes. There's action, suspense, drama and romance all se...

Synopsis: John Gant has a reputation as a heartless mercenary. Where he goes, death follows. When he rides into the small town of Lordsburg and rents a room at the hotel, the residents, not knowing who he has been sent there to kill, become paranoid. However, since all Gant's previous victims drew their guns first, the law is powerless to stop him. Meanwhile, the town doctor, Luke Canfield, is doing his best to keep the peace and stop the townspeople from going too far. Who's in it? The movie stars Audie Murphy , Charles Drake , Joan Evans , Virginia Grey and Warren Stevens. Review: I've had No Name on the Bullet in my library for a couple weeks now and decided to watch it this morning, mostly because I have enjoyed most Audey Murphy films I've seen. This movie turned out not to be an exception to that. I think the thing I liked most about this film is how Gant's (Murphy) appearance in town brought out multiple skeletons, whether it was the banker ( Whit Bissel...

Synopsis: Frustrated by her English homework, Judy dreams of abolishing the alphabet with the help of the Mad Hatter and the Jabberwock. However, Dr. Linguistics changes her mind. Who's in it? The movie stars Cheryl Callaway , Hans Conried , Frank Baxter , Cactus Mack and Daws Butler. Review: I came across this short movie last night while waiting for my wife and daughter to get back from martial arts classes. Since I had dinner already prepped, I decided to give it a try and it ended up being surprisingly good. I won't lie, parts of this movie are about as dated as you would expect, especially when referencing "primitive" cultures. There are also some scenes, like the one with the dancing letters, that seem a bit drug induced. However, there was also a lot to like about this film. I think the thing that impressed me was how the movie gives a fairly sound (albeit maybe missing more modern interpretations) explanation of language, including how it started, how huma...

Synopsis: When a pair of teenagers go missing from a rural town, their friends agree to help the sheriff with the search. What they don't know is the area is about to be terrorized by a 70-foot poisonous lizard. Who's in it? The movie stars Don Sullivan , Lisa Simone , Fred Graham , Shug Fisher and Bob Thompson. Review: I came across this movie some time ago but, after being disappointed by similar films, was reluctant to watch it. I finally decided to give it a try this morning and, after seeing it, I am fairly convinced my reluctance was justified. I think one of my biggest problems with this movie is it makes the same mistake many other films make; it spends a lot of time building up to the big climax and not enough time actually showing the deadly creature. OK, let me rephrase that. The movie does show the "monster" quite a few times. It just doesn't bother to show it in any sort of scale until toward the very end of the movie and any killing it does is don...

Synopsis: While investigating a series of deaths in the Florida Everglades, game warden Steve Benton discovers a pair of human-sized leeches living in an underwater cave. With the creatures thirsting for blood, Benton, with help from his girlfriend and her father, must find a way to stop them. Who's in it? The movie stars Ken Clark , Yvette Vickers , Jan Shepard , Tyler McVey and Bruno VeSota . Review: I've had this movie in my library for several weeks now but have been hesitant to watch it because it seemed like one of those films that could either be surprisingly good or really bad. I finally got around to watching it earlier this morning and, after seeing it, feel it belongs more in the latter category than the former. Wow, where to begin? I think the first thing I noticed about this movie is just how long it takes for anything to happen. Other than a corpse being found early on, nothing of importance happens in the film until about halfway through and then the movie make...

Synopsis: While traveling by train with his new bride, Jane, Paul Webster receives a telegram and, without explanation, gets off the train at the next stop and disappears. Jane begins a search for her husband and eventually finds a clue that leads her to a plantation in the Louisiana bayou. When she resists the owner's efforts to get her to leave, she eventually learns Paul was part of a medical experiment that healed his injuries from a plane crash but also has him slowly turning into a reptile. Who's in it? The movie stars Beverly Garland , George Macready , Frieda Inescort , Richard Crane and Lon Chaney, Jr. Review: I came across this movie a few days ago and, while I had some doubts about it, wound up adding it to my library. I decided to watch it before heading into the office this morning and the film ended up exceeding my expectations. I think the thing I liked most about this film was the mystery surrounding Paul (Crane) and his disappearance. Based on the movie...

Synopsis: In 1898, three years after discovering the tomb of Princess Ananka in Egypt and bringing her mummified corpse and artifacts to the British Museum, archaeologist John Banning, along with his father and uncle, are hunted down by Kharis, a 4000-year-old mummy tasked with protecting Ananka.  Who's in it? The movie stars Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee , Yvonne Furneaux , Eddie Byrne and George Pastell. Review: My wife and daughters were out shopping most of the day yesterday so, after finishing some tasks I wanted to do, I killed some time watching movies. I came across this film and, having never seen it, decided to give it a chance. While I didn't like it as much as the 1999 Brendan Fraser version (still my favorite), this one still ended up being fairly decent. I think the thing I liked most about this movie was just how bad-ass Kharis (Lee) was. Unlike some other versions of this story (including the 1932 Boris Karloff version ), this movie's mummy was somewh...

Synopsis: As American forces advance in Italy during World War II, a demolition unit is given the task of figuring out how the Germans are getting tanks across a river. They eventually enlist the help of an Italian boy who is grieving the loss of his parents and knows the location of a secret underwater bridge. Who's in it? The movie stars Robert Barron , Maggie Lawrence , Donato Farretta , Wally Campo and Anthony Rich . Review: I wasn't really in the mood for a war movie but wanted something I could watch in a short amount of time after the rest of the family went to bed last night and this particular film met that criteria. After seeing it, my opinion of it was mixed at best. Overall, I liked the premise of this movie. The demolition squad was given a task it wasn't trained to do and, even if they were, it was a mission that seemed to be pretty much impossible given the fact they had to obtain information with the German Army blocking their way. And, the twist of havin...

Synopsis:  A dimwitted busboy, Walter, finds success as an artist when he accidentally kills his landlady's cat, covers it in clay and convinces people it is a sculpture. Determined to win the heart of the woman he secretly loves, Walter decides to repeat the process. Only, this time, he is using people. Who's in it? The movie stars Dick Miller , Barboura Morris , Antony Carbone , Ed Nelson and J udy Bamber. Review: I was running ahead of schedule this morning and had plenty of time before I needed to head to the office. Rather than risk waking everyone else up by pacing the floor, I looked for a movie to watch and picked this one solely because of the relatively-short runtime (66 minutes). To be honest, I wasn't really sure if I would like this movie, mostly because the premise reminded me too much of  House of Wax . Also, when I first started watching the film, I wasn't sure if it was going to be a horror movie, comedy or social comentary about the beatnik culture....

Synopsis: A specially-modified naval submarine is sent to the North Pole to investigate a series of ship disappearances. They ultimately discover a flying saucer. Who's in it? The movie stars Arthur Franz , Tom Conway , Brett Halsey , Dick Foran and Paul Dubov . Review: I ended up picking out this movie to watch early this morning mostly becaue it had a shorter runtime but also because I enjoyed the last submarine movie I watched . Unfortunately, while this sounded good in the description, I wasn't as big of a fan of this film as I thought I would be. My biggest problem with this movie was there was an awful lot of talking for a film that sounded like it would have a lot of action. In fact, I was beginning to wonder if they would ever do anything exciting at all. It didn't help that the movie, at times, seemed like it was more of a military propaganda film than anything else, especially when the ship's commander (Franz) was arguing with a pacifist scientist (Halsey)...

Synopsis:  Atomic testing and disposal of radioactive material into the ocean results in a dormant dinosaur being brought back to life. As the creature threatens London, scientists realize using the military to stop it could result in radioactive material being spread all over the country. Who's in it?  The movie stars  Gene Evans ,  Andre Morell ,  Leigh Madison ,  John Turner  and  Jack MacGowran. Review:  I have had heard about this movie but had not had a chance to actually watch it until this morning, when I was waiting for the rest of the family to get out of bed. While I thought it was an OK monster movie, I also didn't think there was anything particularly special about it. The film largely follows the same format most 1950s giant monster movies use - scientists predict some sort of atomic catastrophe, a short time later there are reports of a prehistoric monster then, about three-quarters through the movie, the monster finally makes ...