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What's the Matter with Helen?

Year:

1972

Duration:

101 min

Genres:

IMDB rate:

6.4

Director:

Curtis Harrington

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 1972-04-13

Cast

Actor

Character

Robbi Morgan

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)

Timothy Carey

The Tramp

Swen Swenson

The Gigolo

Debbie Van Den Houten

Sue Anne

Teresa De Rose

Donna

Pamelyn Ferdin

Kiddie M.C.

Allen Pinson

The Man

James Dobson

Cab Driver

Sadie Delfino

The Little Lady

Tammy Lee

Adelle's Kiddystars

Sharann Hisamoto

Adelle's Kiddystars (as Sharon Hisamoto)

Stacey Hollow

Adelle's Kiddystars

Marcia Garcia

Adelle's Kiddystars

Bambi Meyers

Adelle's Kiddystars

Rocky Bonifield

Adelle's Kiddystars (as Roxanne Meyers)

Vicki Schreck

Adelle's Kiddystars

Keri Shuttleton

Adelle's Kiddystars

Shawn Steinman

Adelle's Kiddystars (as Shawn Steinmann)

Madelon Tupper

Adelle's Kiddystars

Sian Winship

Adelle's Kiddystars

Peter Brocco

Old Man (uncredited)

Gary Combs

Matt Hill (uncredited)

Annette Davis

Spinster (uncredited)

Douglas Deane

Fanatical Man (uncredited)

Minta Durfee

Old Lady (uncredited)

Helene Heigh

Widow (uncredited)

Peggy Patten

Ellie Banner (uncredited)

Harry Stanton

Malcolm Hays (uncredited)

Peggy Walton-Walker

Young Girl (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

Right after Adelle reads Helen the letter that explains the man whom she just murdered was actually bringing her good news, Adelle strikes Helen with the crumpled letter, almost exactly mimicking the scene in LOLITA, in which after reading Humbert's diary, Charlotte Haze - Shelly Winters - strikes Humbert with his diary.

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The film began production under the title "The Best of Friends," but Otto Preminger protested to the Motion Picture Association because he had already registered the similar title Such Good Friends (1971). Producer George Edwards quickly responded by changing the title to a line from the script: "What's the Matter with Helen?."

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Debbie Reynolds kept many of the props and costumes from the film.

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Goofs

When Helen is talking to the detective, the blood that was all over her hands seconds before has disappeared.

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The film is set in 1934. Yet, in the NYC dance studio, there is clearly sheet music on the piano from the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film Top Hat.

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In the closeup, Helen holds the magazine with Jean Harlow's photo in her left hand and points to it with her right. When it cuts to a wide shot, she's grasping the sides of the magazine with both hands.

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Quotes

Helen Hill: Men can be quite a bit lower than the angels.

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

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