What’s the Matter with Helen? (1971): Cast & Plot
What’s the Matter with Helen? is a 1971 horror thriller directed by Curtis Harrington, starring Shelley Winters as Helen Hill, Debbie Reynolds and Micheál Mac Liammóir. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Curtis Harrington
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Filmways Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is What’s the Matter with Helen? About?
The premise of What’s the Matter with Helen? without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After their sons are sentenced for a high‑profile murder, two middle‑aged women relocate to Hollywood, California, where they open a dance school for ambitious children hoping to tap their way to fame. The film follows their fresh start, the challenges of rebuilding their lives, and the bright optimism of the youngsters they teach.
What’s the Matter with Helen? Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- murder
- death
- father daughter relationship
- radio show
- woman murders a woman
- dance school
- hollywood california
- corpse
- singing
- gore
- violence
- stabbed to death
+38 more Show fewer
- detective
- shock
- choir
- revenge
- psychopath
- character name in title
- title spoken by character
- stabbing a woman
- murderess
- deception
- girl in mary jane shoes
- cutout
- dead woman
- dead body with eyes open
- death of pet
- postal worker
- vision
- check
- taxi
- psychotronic film
- mini golf
- reference to jack the ripper
- band the musical group
- the past
- reynolds and moorehead
- children
- women
- serial killer crime
- threat
- dancing
- millionaire
- evangelist
- 1930s
- reference to franklin d. roosevelt
- religious fanatic
- fireplace
- letter
- newspaper article
What’s the Matter with Helen? Cast & Characters
Shelley Winters leads the cast as Helen Hill, with Debbie Reynolds as Adelle Bruckner and Micheál Mac Liammóir as Hamilton Starr. Directed by Curtis Harrington; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director Curtis Harrington
-
Shelley Winters as Helen Hill -
Debbie Reynolds as Adelle Bruckner - Micheál Mac Liammóir as Hamilton Starr
- Dennis Weaver as Lincoln Palmer
Also Starring in What’s the Matter with Helen?
· 28 more- Samee Lee Jones Winona Palmer
- Agnes Moorehead Sister Alma
- Timothy Carey The Tramp
- Logan Ramsey Detective Sgt. West
- Peggy Rea Mrs. Schultz
- James Dobson Cab Driver
- Pamelyn Ferdin Kiddie M.C.
- Helene Winston Mrs. Greenbaum
- Allen Pinson The Man
- Yvette Vickers Mrs. Barker
- Vicki Schreck Adelle's Kiddystars
- Robbi Morgan Rosalie Greenbaum
- Molly Dodd Mrs. Rigg
- Paulle Clark Mrs. Plumb
- Rocky Bonifield Adelle's Kiddystars
- Tammy Lee Adelle's Kiddystars
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Swen Swenson The Gigolo
- Sadie Delfino The Little Lady
- Sharann Hisamoto Adelle's Kiddystars
- Debbie Van Den Houten Sue Anne
- Teresa De Rose Donna
- Stacey Hollow Adelle's Kiddystars
- Marcia Garcia Adelle's Kiddystars
- Bambi Meyers Adelle's Kiddystars
- Keri Shuttleton Adelle's Kiddystars
- Shawn Steinman Adelle's Kiddystars
- Madelon Tupper Adelle's Kiddystars
- Sian Winship Adelle's Kiddystars
More from Curtis Harrington
More films directed by Curtis Harrington: Mata Hari, Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell, Ruby and The Dead Don’t Die.
What’s the Matter with Helen? Plot Summary
What happens in What’s the Matter with Helen? from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In mid-1930s Iowa, two mothers facing an unimaginable verdict become the focus of a tense, spiraling drama. Leonard Hill and Wesley Bruckner are shown being loaded into a paddy wagon to serve life sentences for the murder of Ellie Banner. Their mothers, Helen Hill, Shelley Winters, and Adelle Bruckner, Debbie Reynolds, push through a scorching crowd to reach their car, a fleeting moment of defiant love and desperation.
Full summary
The whole story of What’s the Matter with Helen?, scene by scene
What’s the Matter with Helen? Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Larry Karaszewski on What's The Matter With Helen
How Well Do You Know What’s the Matter with Helen??
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which two actresses play the mothers Helen Hill and Adelle Bruckner?
Cars in What’s the Matter with Helen?
10 cars on screen, including the 1931 Duesenberg J and the 1936 De Soto Airstream.
-
1931 Duesenberg J Important role -
1936 De Soto Airstream Minor role -
1931 Dodge Six Minor role -
Rolls-Royce New Phantom Minor role
Seen What’s the Matter with Helen??
Movies Like What’s the Matter with Helen?
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Haunts, Blood and Lace and Hollywood Kills.
What’s the Matter with Helen? FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of What’s the Matter with Helen?, each answered in a sentence.
How long is What’s the Matter with Helen??
What’s the Matter with Helen? runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was What’s the Matter with Helen? released?
What’s the Matter with Helen? was released on June 30, 1971.
Who directed What’s the Matter with Helen??
What’s the Matter with Helen? was directed by Curtis Harrington.
More films by Curtis Harrington Who is in the cast of What’s the Matter with Helen??
What’s the Matter with Helen? stars Shelley Winters as Helen Hill, Debbie Reynolds as Adelle Bruckner and Micheál Mac Liammóir as Hamilton Starr, among 32 credited actors.
Does What’s the Matter with Helen? have a post-credit scene?
No. What’s the Matter with Helen? has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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