Steven Helmer Publications

As much time as I spend watching old movies and nearly as old television series, I probably shouldn't be surprised when I receive ads for hearing aids and retirement homes. However, while most of those movies and shows were before my time, I will be the first to argue many are better than what you can see at theaters and on TV today. In fact, Hollywood seems to agree with me, both because of the numerous movie remakes and films based on classic television series. While the latter is a bit hit or miss, with some of those movies being not-so-great, there are a few that do work. Here are four I personally enjoyed. Just a note: The Simpsons Movie would have made this list too, if the show wasn't still on the air. Sgt. Bilko (1996) I haven't seen more than a few episodes of The Phil Silvers Show but did see enough to get the gist of that series, which ran from 1955-1959, and while there are those who disagree, this movie version of Silvers ' military character, Sgt. Ernest...

Synopsis: When Lillian Hubbard goes on trial for the murder of her fiancée, Harley Forsythe, private investigator Michael Shayne is assigned to the jury. After a key witness is killed by a knife thrower in the courtroom, Hubbard looks guilty to some jurors. Shayne, however, believes she's innocent and, after swiping the knife before it could be taken as evidence, sneaks out of his hotel room to conduct his own investigation with the help of newspaper reporter Judy Taylor. Complicating things is photographer Roy Higgins, who is determined to catch Shayne in the act, something that could result in the detective being sent to jail. Who's in it? The movie stars Lloyd Nolan , Marjorie Weaver , Phil Silvers , Janis Carter and Joan Valerie. Review: I was feeling a bit tired and called it an early night last night. Before going to bed, I looked for a film to watch this morning and picked Just Off Broadway because it was the first one that popped up that looked halfway decent. Afte...

Synopsis: When a famous movie producer, Harold Hecuba ( Phil Silvers ), crashes his plane on the island, the castaways see an opportunity to be rescued. When he insults Ginger ( Tina Louise ) and she refuses to leave the island, they attempt to remedy the situation by putting on a musical version of Hamlet . My Thoughts: I know I've said this before but why don't they have a signal fire already built? Ultimately, it didn't make any sort of difference this time around since Hecuba's plane was crashing but, under normal circumstances, the time they spend trying to gather up firewood seems like a good way to miss out on being rescued. It's also not as though it would hurt anything to keep one burning at all times, just in case they don't see a plane or boat as it passes. I am going to take a moment to give a shout out for the legendary Phil Silvers. This was a character that had to be memorable and enjoyable to watch while, at the same time, not be something tha...