IMDb >
What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsWhat's the Matter with Helen? (1971) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Henry Farrell (written by)
Release Date:
26 May 1972 (Finland)
more
Plot:
Two middle-aged women move to Hollywood, California after their sons are convicted of a notorious murder and open a dance school for children eager to tap their way to stardom. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
more
User Comments:
Fine, eerie black comedy with a superb Reynolds turn.
more (23 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Debbie Reynolds | ... | Adelle | |
| Shelley Winters | ... | Helen | |
| Dennis Weaver | ... | Linc Palmer | |
| Micheál MacLiammóir | ... | Hamilton Starr (as Micheal Mac Liammóir) | |
| Agnes Moorehead | ... | Sister Alma | |
| Helene Winston | ... | Mrs. Greenbaum | |
| Peggy Rea | ... | Mrs. Schultz | |
| Logan Ramsey | ... | Detective Sgt. West | |
| Paulle Clark | ... | Mrs. Plumb | |
| Yvette Vickers | ... | Mrs. Barker | |
| Molly Dodd | ... | Mrs. Rigg | |
| Samee Lee Jones | ... | Winona (as Sammee Lee Jones) | |
| Robbi Morgan | ... | Rosalie | |
| Timothy Carey | ... | The Tramp | |
| Swen Swenson | ... | The Gigolo |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Box Step (USA) (original script title)
more
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M |
Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) |
Finland:K-18 |
Sweden:15 |
USA:GP (Approved No. 22897) (original rating)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Sister Alma was loosely based on Aimee Semple McPherson.
more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The film is set in 1933 but the songs "Animal Crackers In My Soup" and "Goody-Goody" weren't released until 1935.
more
Quotes:
Helen Hill:
Men can be quite a bit lower than the angels.
more
Soundtrack:
Goody, Goody
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for What's the Matter with Helen? (1971) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Night of the Hunter | Lo strano vizio della Signora Wardh | Too Scared to Scream | Making the Headlines | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

A vastly underrated black comedy, the finest in a series of grand guignol movies to follow 'Baby Jane'. Reynolds and Winters are mothers of young convicted murderers (a nod to 'Compulsion') who run away to hide in Hollywood. They run a school for would-be movie tots, a bunch of hilariously untalented kids attended by awful stage moms. Debbie, in her blonde wig ('I'm a Harlow, you're more a Marion Davies' she tells Winters) leads the tots at their concert and wins a rich dad, Weaver. She also does a deliciously funny tango and, over all, gives an outstanding performance, unlike anything she'd done before. The atmosphere is a fine mix of comic and eerie. It looks wonderful with great period detail (30's). Lots of lovely swipes at Hollywood and the terrifying movie tot. Micheal MacLiammoir has a ball as the drama coach: 'Hamilton Starr', he purrs, 'two r's but prophetic nonetheless'. See it and love it.