Steven Helmer Publications

I managed to get a walk in yesterday morning, before the bad weather hit. It was humid enough outside though to both make it hazy and to cause my camera lens to fog up multiple times, making it very difficult for me to get much in terms of photos. However, I did manage to get a couple decent photos of a pair of rabbits I came across on my walk, one older and one that looks like it was born not that long ago. Here they are. ______________________________________________________________________ Here are some other nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/13/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (6/1/2026) Front Yard Bird Photos Lunchtime Walk Photos (4/30/2025)

Synopsis: Coming to Los Angeles in the 1940s after serving in World War II, Fred Otash first joined the Los Angeles Police Department but after clashes with his new boss, quit to become a private detective. Using his connections with the police and relationships he built with many of Hollywood's elite, Otash first worked for a gossip magazine before becoming a sought-after fixer, someone who could keep celebrity indiscretions out of the press and protect both their careers and the studios investing money in them. This biography tells his story along with stories about Hollywood's dark side.   Review: I had a bit of a Hollywood history theme the last time I checked out books from the library and, as part of that, ended up selecting The Fixer simply because it sounded interesting. While I didn't know who Fred Otash was before reading the book, I was familiar with the concept of Hollywood "fixers" and what they did for the studios and figured it would be entertainin...

Synopsis: A fashion model decides she wants to live on her own and moves into an old apartment building filled with eccentric neighbors. Shortly after moving in, she discovers her neighbors aren't what they seem and sinister supernatural forces might be at work. As she begins to show signs of illness from the stress, it is up to her boyfriend to find a way to save her. Who's in it?  The movie stars Chris Sarandon , Cristina Raines, Eli Wallach , John Carradine , Ava Gardner , Burgess Meredith and Christopher Walken .  You can read my review here:  Movie Review: The Sentinel (1977) ______________________________________________________________________ Here are some reviews of other movies from the 1970s: Movie Review: Tentacles (1977) Movie Review: The Giant Spider Invasion (1975) Movie Review: The Car (1977) Movie Review: Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo (1977)

Synopsis: Music producer M. Harry Smilac is struggling financially while his lone client, a band known as Kick, remains un-booked. At first, there is no hope for his financial woes but, after a chance encounter with professional wrestler Rick Roberts, he decides to become a manager representing both Rick and his new tag team partner, Tonga Tom.  Smilac has almost immediate success, especially after bringing his team on the road and pairing them with Kick for a "Rock 'n Wrestling" show. However, his success draws the ire of rival manager Captain Lou Murano, leading to a showdown that pits Roberts and Tom against Murano's world champion Cannibals with the losing manager forced to leave the business. Who's in it? The movie stars Dirk Benedict , Roddy Piper , Sam Fatu, Lou Albano, Kellie Martin , T anya Roberts and Barry Gordon. Review: I forgot to pick out a movie to watch this morning and, with nothing else on top the list as a result, decided to finally take th...

Synopsis: The valuable Stonehaven necklace is set to be transferred to the Chicago branch of the Cartell & Co. jewelry store, which had a recent unsolved robbery. Shortly before it is delivered, a man first calling himself Mr. Adams and then Everett G. Northrup arrives, claiming to be from the New York office to check on security. When the doubtful store manager, Frank Randall calls to check up on his visitor he speaks with the real Everett G. Northrup, who arrives on the next plane, assumes the name Jimmy Dale and goes to work as the imposter's secretary to keep an eye on him. Only, it is all a ruse. The men know each other, have assumed each other's identities and are working together, only not in the way that first seems. Who's in it? The movie stars Peter Cookson , Tim Ryan , Marjorie Weaver , Pierre Watkin, Clara Blandick and John Hamilton. Review: For reasons I've never been able to explain, I occasionally pick out a movie to watch only to not be able to f...

Synopsis: After being raised by parents who stole from her and becoming a widow at 24, Hollywood star Mary Astor was involved in relationships with multiple men, including playwright George S. Kaufman, while she was married to Dr. Franklyn Thorpe and wrote about her affairs in her diary. In 1936, after agreeing to give Thorpe both a divorce and custody of their daughter, Marylyn because he possessed her diary and threatened to use it to derail her career, Astor took her ex-husband to court to contest the custody arrangement, putting Hollywood on high alert as the case threatened to expose the details of her private journal, including the famous stars she slept with. This non-fiction book gives a play-by-play detail of the trial, the events leading up to it and the aftermath. Review: As a classic movie fan, I am familiar with Mary Astor's work and knew enough about her history to be familiar with her infamous "Purple Diaries," named after the color ink she used to write...