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.
Sextuplets star Marlon Wayans takes cues from Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor to transform into an entire fictional family.
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Title: What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Debbie Reynolds | ... | Adelle Bruckner aka Adelle Stuart | |
| Shelley Winters | ... | Helen Hill aka Helen Martin | |
| 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 Palmer (as Sammee Lee Jones) |
| Robbi Morgan | ... | Rosalie Greenbaum | |
| Timothy Carey | ... | The Tramp | |
|
|
Swen Swenson | ... | The Gigolo |
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
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. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com
Taglines:
Her friends die so suddenly and violently! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
13 April 1972 (Mexico) See more »Also Known As:
The Box Step See more »Filming Locations:
General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USACompany Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(uncredited)
Written by Ray Henderson & Mort Dixon
Performed by Debbie Reynolds
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Joanne Woodward, Shirley MacLaine and Estelle Parsons were each offered roles in the film but passed. Rita Hayworth was approached to play Adelle, but she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, and was therefore unfit to take the part. See more »Goofs
In the final scene showing a dead Adelle strung up on the ladder, the close-up shot shows her throat moving. See more »Soundtracks
Bye Bye Blackbird(uncredited)
Written by Ray Henderson & Mort Dixon
Performed by Debbie Reynolds
See more »
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It has taken me 24 years to find the courage to see this film again. Like another reviewer here, I was too young when I first saw this movie back in 1971 at the tender age of 7 (what were my parents thinking?!), and it's disturbing visuals have haunted me all of my life. This is a gory, gruesome film, all things considered, with quick, effective shots of mangled bodies and cute furry creatures. And that ending! Seeing Debbie's face again in the finale after all these years conjured up my repressed childhood chills once again.
Overall, a very effective film with a "Tales from the Crypt-esque" ending and some superb acting.