What's the Matter with Helen? - A Movie Review

There has to be a reason why all this is happening. I cannot keep a secret any longer.

What’s the Matter with Helen? is a 1971 mystery-thriller about two women who escape from their lives after their sons were convicted of murder. Believing that the past is behind them, someone is stalking them.

For October, I asked around for horror, thriller, and psychological film recommendations. When I was suggested to watch this film, I searched everywhere for it. What’s the Matter with Helen? is a suspenseful film. Not only does it don a message about mental health but also to avoid running from past mistakes.

Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters are outstanding as Adelle and Helen. They worked very well together in their interactions, specifically in their arguments. Guilt affects them differently. We get to see how their guilt affects their overall relationship and how they slowly become distant.

Each shines in their talents. Reynolds bestows audiences with her dancing and singing. Her blonde hair was beautiful. Adelle would rather move on from the past to live the life she always wanted. Selfish at times, she is easily affected by the events from the past.

At the time of filming, Winters was actually going through a real mental breakdown. For most of the film, Winters stayed in her character. I was impressed with her reactions to horror. It’s sad how nobody takes Helen seriously in her ailing mental health. Helen’s behavior is a demonstration that whether family or friends, we should all take mental health seriously.

Other credits to include are Dennis Weaver, Michael MacLiammoir, Agnes Moorehead, Helene Winston, Peggy Rea, Logan Ramsey, Paulie Clark, Yvette Vickers, and Molly Dudd. I enjoyed the actresses who played the mom’s in the dance sequences who constantly asked questions. There was one small character who was not necessary to the film at all.

An ensemble of talented young girls did a wonderful job in the dance sequences. I got a kick at how they were portraying the late Shirley Temple in her famous number ‘Animal Crackers in my Soup.’ They were cute numbers, but I feel that they took attention away from the main plot.

There is one cringe-worthy scene that exploits the glamorization of a young girl singing a very raunchy song number. It just goes to show how values have changed since the distribution of how women were viewed in the 1930s.

Editing for the film conveyed the suspense. The terror is real. An anonymous caller leaves threatening messages to the women. The stalker becomes so menacing that they do things like wrecking property. If you haven’t learned already this film reminds you of the importance of locking your front door at night.

The conclusion of What’s the Matter with Helen? shocked audiences when it was first released into theaters. I was not expecting the ending to be so dark. Curtis Harrington captured the essence of a murderous story.

While Harrington did a terrific job reflecting suspense, he should not have cut out a moment that would have given more depth to one of the characters. And some plot points could have been given more time to expand, such as the backstory with their sons.

Mental health is vital. The way we pay attention to mental health now is very contrasting to the early 1900s when it wasn’t taken seriously. We can never ignore someone’s ailing mental health. Give yourself a break. Seek help.

What’s the Matter with Helen? Is an effective thriller. And very e ntertaining. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This film deserves to be talked about more.