What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)

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.

Director:

Curtis Harrington

Writer:

Henry Farrell

Stars:

Debbie Reynolds, Shelley Winters, Dennis Weaver

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

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

Storyline

Set in the 30s, Helen and Adelle are two women whose sons commit a gruesome murder. After their conviction, they move to Hollywood change their names and open a dance school for girls. Adelle is looking for a good life and when one of the parents of her students who is wealthy takes a liking to her she thinks she's got it made. Helen thinks that someone who blames them for what their sons did is stalking them. But Adelle thinks it's all in her mind.

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Plot Keywords:

school | hollywood california | murder | 1930s | millionaire | 

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Taglines:

So you met someone and now you know how it feels. Goody, Goody!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Musical | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 1972 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Best of Friends

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Pictures, Raymax Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Curtis Harrington shot certain scenes with the intention of using dissolves as a transition between scenes. He reluctantly had to remove the dissolves when producer Martin Ransohoff matter-of-factly stated that he didn't like them.

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Goofs

The second time Linc drives Adelle home, he reaches down with his right hand to shut off the car. In the subsequent shot, his right arm is firmly wrapped behind Adelle's shoulder.

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Quotes

Sister Alma: I offered you my blessing. You refused it. Now move along!

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Connections

References Polly of the Circus (1932)

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Soundtracks

"Oh, You Nasty Man"
Written by Ray Henderson, Jack Yellen & Irving Caesar
Performed by Robbi Morgan

User Reviews

Great acting helps an uneven horror film

The movie takes place in the 1930s--The mothers (Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters) of two murdering sons run away to Hollywood after their sons are convicted. They change their names and open a dance studio for children. Reynolds quickly adjusts to her new life and falls for a nice guy (Dennis Weaver). However Winters keeps having flashbacks to her husband's bloody accident that killed him--or was it an accident? This film looks fantastic. Curtis Harrington was a very good, underrated director and he did a great job here. The settings and costumes are incredible and perfectly fit the 1930s. However the story doesn't flow smoothly. It runs in fits and starts and comes to a screeching halt for THREE musical numbers with the kids and Reynolds! Also a certain murder at the end was drastically cut to avoid an R rating (the director was not happy about it). But the acting saves it. Reynolds is superb in a very dramatic and hard role. I never thought she could act till I saw this. Winters chews the scenery (as usual) but in a fun way. Also, despite the GP (now PG) rating this is pretty bloody and the shock ending is totally ruined by being on the poster AND the theatrical trailer! Still it's worth catching.