Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: After local physician Hugo 'Doc" Robbin is declared dead following an explosion at his office, his nurse, Ann Loring, is accused of murder. A group of children hear her testifying on the witness stand and call her a liar, resulting in them being called as witnesses. Their testimony ends up clearing Loring but implicating their friend and mentor 'Fix-it' Dan Cameron. With him behind bars, the kids decide to re-visit the scene of the explosion and find evidence to clear him. Who's in it? The movie stars George Zucco , Virginia Grey , Don Castle , Whitford Kane, Larry Olsen and Peter Miles. Review: I've been on the fence about watching Who Killed 'Doc' Robbin? since adding it to my library because, while the plot sounded interesting and the movie had some familiar names, I have a long history of not liking films that are centered around cute kids. I finally decided to watch it this morning, and it turned out not to be as bad as I feared. It w...

Synopsis: A struggling sculptor rescues a deformed mad man from the river, nurses him back to health and uses him as a model for his next work of art. However, frustrated by bad reviews, he eventually uses "The Creeper" to get revenge on the critics that have left him hungry and unable to pay his bills. Who's in it?  The movie stars Rondo Hatton, Robert Lowery , Virginia Grey , Martin Kosleck, Alan Napier and Bill Goodwin. Review: My oldest daughter and I watched House of Horrors some time ago but when I came across it again this evening, I didn't remember much about it. I gave it a chance, and it proved to be as good as I remembered. There is an award celebrating classic horror research creativity and preservation named and modeled after actor Rondo Hatton. This movie is a great example of the reasons why. His performance as the Creeper is one that stands the test of time, even nearly 80 years after this movie first was released. His character was a remorseless ki...

Synopsis: After being caught with a plantation owner's wife, American expatriate Sam Wilton needs to get out of South America in a hurry and does so by taking the passport of the recently deceased Mr. Kroll and boarding a cargo ship on its way to the United States. Wilton is suspicious of the ship's captain, the heavily scarred Capt. Trednor, and his interest in two passengers, Dr. Yeager and his daughter, Elsa. He later learns Trednor and his crew are Soviet agents on a suicide mission to blow up the Panama Canal with an atomic bomb. Who's in it? The movie stars Barton MacLane , Leif Erickson , Virginia Grey , Peter Coe and Rudolph Anders. Review: I came across Captain Scarface last night and while it was different movie from what I was originally looking for, I was intrigued enough by the description to give it a try. I watched it this morning and decided it was a good decision. The film takes a while to get started, taking the time to introduce each of the passengers,...

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: 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...