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IMDbPro

What's the Matter with Helen?

  • 19711971
  • RR
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
21,564
327
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.
Play trailer2:06
1 Video
58 Photos
CrimeHorrorMusical
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
21,564
327
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Curtis Harrington
    • Writer
      • Henry Farrell
    • Stars
      • Debbie Reynolds
      • Shelley Winters
      • Dennis Weaver
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Curtis Harrington
    • Writer
      • Henry Farrell
    • Stars
      • Debbie Reynolds
      • Shelley Winters
      • Dennis Weaver
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:06
    Trailer

    Photos58

    Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters in What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
    What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Debbie Reynolds
    Debbie Reynolds
    • Adelle
    Shelley Winters
    Shelley Winters
    • Helen
    Dennis Weaver
    Dennis Weaver
    • Linc Palmer
    Micheál MacLiammóir
    Micheál MacLiammóir
    • Hamilton Starr
    • (as Micheal Mac Liammóir)
    Agnes Moorehead
    Agnes Moorehead
    • Sister Alma
    Helene Winston
    Helene Winston
    • Mrs. Greenbaum
    Peggy Rea
    Peggy Rea
    • Mrs. Schultz
    Logan Ramsey
    Logan Ramsey
    • Detective Sgt. West
    Paulle Clark
    • Mrs. Plumb
    Yvette Vickers
    Yvette Vickers
    • Mrs. Barker
    Molly Dodd
    Molly Dodd
    • Mrs. Rigg
    Samee Lee Jones
    • Winona
    • (as Sammee Lee Jones)
    Robbi Morgan
    Robbi Morgan
    • Rosalie
    Timothy Carey
    Timothy Carey
    • The Tramp
    Swen Swenson
    • The Gigolo
    Debbie Van Den Houten
    • Sue Anne
    Teresa De Rose
    • Donna
    Pamelyn Ferdin
    Pamelyn Ferdin
    • Kiddie M.C.
    • Director
      • Curtis Harrington
    • Writer
      • Henry Farrell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Debbie Reynolds drove Shelley Winters to work each day. One morning on her way to pick up Shelley, Debbie noticed a woman standing on Santa Monica Boulevard in a nightgown trying to flag down a ride. When Reynolds stopped and asked why she was not waiting at home, Winters replied, "I thought I was late."
    • Goofs
      The second time Linc drives Adelle home, he reaches down with his right hand to turn the key off. In the next scene, his right arm is firmly wrapped behind Adelle's shoulder.
    • Quotes

      Sister Alma: I offered you my blessing, but you refused it. Now move along.

    • Connections
      Featured in House of Harrington (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
      (uncredited)
      Written by Harry Revel & Mack Gordon
      Performed by Debbie Reynolds

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    Two women move to 1930's Hollywood in order to build new lives.
    Slick, colorful Gothic horror tale features the veteran leading ladies in top form. Debbie Reynolds perfects that 1930's platinum blonde/Jean Harlow image, and Shelley Winters gives what is possibly her all-time best performance as the maniacal Helen. The film was directed by cult favorite Curtis Harrington, and was written by Henry Farrell author of the novel on which the classic film WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? was based. Farrell has concocted an equally effective mixture of horror and hollywood here. Harrington's next venture into the macabre was the similarly Gothic and atmospheric WHO SLEW AUNTIE ROO?, also featuring the inimitable Shelley Winters in the titular role.
    helpful•18
    2
    • verna55
    • Sep 15, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 26, 1971 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Best of Friends
    • Filming locations
      • General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Filmways Pictures
      • Raymax Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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