Helen Morgan Story

Director: Michael Curtiz
Actors: Ann Blyth, Paul Newman, Richard Carlson, Gene Evans, Alan King
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: Video

Buy New: $64.50

New (1) Used (4) from $23.23

Rating:

6 reviews
Sales Rank: 10983

Format: Black & White, Hifi Sound, Ntsc
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1

ISBN: 6303406971
UPC: 085391236238
EAN: 9786303406978
ASIN: 6303406971

Theatrical Release Date: October 5, 1957
Release Date: February 21, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW AND SEALED---IN STOCK---SHIPS FROM OKLAHOMA

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Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

1957- BAD YEAR FOR A GOOD MOVIE June 8, 2007
Joe L. Parrish
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I FIRST SAW THIS MOVIE AS "THE HELEN MORGAN STORY". I WAS SO INPRESSED I MUST HAVE VIEWED IT 500 TIMES. THE CAST WAS WONDERFUL & THE MOVIE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVIEWED MUCH BETTER THAT IT WAS. AFTER 50 YEARS IT STILL LIVES WITH THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN IT.
THE BIG STAR OF THIS MOVIE IS THE WONDERFUL SOUNDTRACK FEATURING GOGI GRANT I ADORE HER AND ALL HER MUSIC AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE HER IN CONCERT IN 2002. STILL BEAUTIFUL AND SINGING THOSE GREAT SONGS AT 78 IS A TRIBUTE TO THIS STAR. THIS MOVIE AND SOUNDTRACK HAVE ADDED MUCH JOY TO MY LIFE.

3 out of 5 stars

A typical Hollywood "biography" that transforms an artist's life into a cliché-ridden soap opera... January 1, 2007
Roberto Frangie (Leon, Gto. Mexico)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The film explains the decline of Helen Morgan (Ann Blyth) into alcoholism as the result of unsuccessful romances, especially one with Larry Maddux (Newman), a two-bit bootlegger...

Larry is an almost one-dimensional and ultimately unbelievable character, but he does have qualities that are developed further in later Newman films: he is opportunistic, exploitative, smooth-talking, a man from the wrong side of the tracks who tries to better himself...

Like other Newman characters, he is an outlaw--a con man and gangster--and it is noteworthy that Curtiz had directed Cagney, Bogart and other tough guys in Warners' Golden Era... Larry is also the first of Newman's womanizers--detached, rough, abusive, but irresistibly charming and sexy... He manages to seduce Helen while remaining nasty and cynical, then abandons her, only to keep reappearing and ruining her life... At best he can say, "In my own way, Helen, I love you," although in the unconvincing ending, he reforms...

3 out of 5 stars

The Little Girl on the Piano with the Great Big Voice May 7, 2004
Michael C. Smith (San Francisco, CA United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

The Helen Morgan Story is a formula biopic with equal parts soap, song and gin. The thing that makes it stand out are three very good performances and a wonderful parade of vintage 1920's hits voiced for the star by Gogi Grant.
From the moment the film begins to unreel with its Broadway marquee titles you know you are in for a good old-fashioned tearstained campy drama. Loosely based on the life of Helen Morgan, who is most famous today for creating the role of Julie in the groundbreaking "Show Boat" in the 20's. The film centers on her rise and fall as well as her unrequited love for gangster Larry Maddux.
Playing the title role is Ann Blyth who does her best to give Helen all the pathos, drama and tragedy required in such a story. She does a fine job but one can't help but recall her best work as Veda in Mildred Pierce. Some years earlier.
The real stars of the show are comedian Alan King, TV star Cara Williams and a new guy to pictures by the name of Paul Newman. These three pros take a filmland formula and mix it until it explodes.
Alan King is quite a fine actor as well as a gifted comedian. He imbues the character of Benny Weaver, Larry's partner with life and humor. As Helen's best friend and Benny's moll Cara Williams shines.
But the best performance is given by a very young Paul Newman who shows us just what he could do with the good for nothing huckster role. He soars in the role and gives us a preview of some of the better roles he will fill out in the future from Fast Eddie to Hud.
The black and white cinematography by Ted D. McCord is stunning as are the sets and costumes. And the Warner Brothers orchestra makes the mono soundtrack burst its boundaries to near stereophonic sound. The dirction by Michael Curtiz who had been making films since 1912 is solid and dependable.
One hopes that there may be a DVD release of this film in the future.

4 out of 5 stars

musical melodrama supreme September 29, 2001
Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Ann Blyth stars as ill-fated torch singer Helen Morgan in the musical biography THE HELEN MORGAN STORY.

Ann Blyth (ROSE MARIE, KISMET), and Paul Newman (CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, TORN CURTAIN) make for an electrifying screen couple. The story of Helen Morgan is given a reverent re-telling with an intelligent if overly-sentimental script. Helen Morgan is perhaps best-known for creating the role of Julie LaVerne in the original Ziegfeld production of "Show Boat".

Ann Blyth's vocals were dubbed here by Gogi Grant. The supporting cast includes Richard Carlson, Gene Evans, Alan King and Cara Williams.

Directed by Michael Curtiz.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Movie May 21, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I happened to be in the video store and was looking through my favorite section (classical movies) when I decided this looked interesting. I had no idea I would be so pleased! Paul Newman gives a wonderful performance of a man set to achieve his ambitions by using the woman he loves, never realizing how his actions are working to destroy them both. The songs are great and Blyth is also wonderful. I will be buying my own VHS of the movie soon.

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