What's the Matter with Helen?

1971
R
1h 41m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

2.4K

YOUR RATING

Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters in 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

3 Videos

58 Photos

Serial Killer Crime Horror Musical Mystery Thriller

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

2.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Videos3

Trailer 2:06

Trailer

Clip 3:09

What's The Matter With Helen: Showtime!

Clip 3:09

What's The Matter With Helen: Showtime!

Clip 1:48

What's The Matter With Helen: The Call

Photos58

+ 53

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
According to Debbie Reynolds, Shelley Winters' psychiatrist advised her not to portray a woman having a nervous breakdown because, at the time, she was actually having a nervous breakdown. "She's the kind of actress who becomes the part she's playing..." said Reynolds, "so all through the film she drove all of us insane!"

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 The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008)

Soundtracks
Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
(uncredited)
Written by Harry Revel & Mack Gordon
Performed by Debbie Reynolds

User reviews42

Review

Featured review

7/10

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.