Percy Helton Movies
The son of actors, Percy Helton began his own career at age two in a Tony Pastor revue in which his parents were performing. The undersized Helton was a valuable juvenile player for producer David Belasco, making his film debut in a 1915 Belasco production, The Fairy and the Waif. Helton matured into adult roles under the stern guidance of George M. Cohan. After receiving a Distinguished Service Cross in World War I, Helton established himself on Broadway, appearing in such productions as Young America, One Sunday Afternoon and The Fabulous Invalid. He made his talkie debut in 1947's Miracle on 34th Street, playing the inebriated Macy's Santa Claus whom Edmund Gwenn replaces. Perhaps the quintessential "who is that?" actor, Helton popped up, often uncredited, in over one hundred succinct screen characterizations. Forever hunched over and eternally short of breath, he played many an obnoxious clerk, nosey mailman, irascible bartender, officious train conductor and tremulous stool pigeon. His credits include Fancy Pants (1950), The Robe (1953), White Christmas (1954), Rally Round the Flag Boys (1959), The Music Man (1962) and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (1965), as well as two appearances as sweetshop proprietor Mike Clancy in the Bowery Boys series. Thanks to his trademarked squeaky voice, and because he showed up in so many "cult" films (Wicked Woman, Kiss Me Deadly, Sons of Katie Elder), Helton became something of a high-camp icon in his last years. In this vein, Percy Helton was cast as the "Heraldic Messenger" in the bizarre Monkees vehicle Head (he showed up at the Monkees' doorstep with a beautiful blonde manacled to his wrist!), the treacherous Sweetieface in the satirical western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), and the bedraggled bank clerk Cratchit on the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1971
Enemy agent James Reed (David Sheiner) intends to steal the plans for a new missile guidance system. The IMF is assigned to hoodwink Reed into pilfering a set of bonus plans. Endangering the mission is escaped mental patient Hecker (John Beck), who believes that IMF agent Dana is his former girlfriend. Watch for raspy-voiced cult actor Percy Helton in a typically fleeting role (one of his last). Originally telecast on January 16, 1971, "The Missile" was written by Arthur Weiss. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy, (more)
- 1970
When Floyd (Rufe Davis) retires as conductor-engineer of the Hooterville Cannonball, his successor turns out to be the notoriously lazy Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan). To the surprise of one and all, Joe proves to be super-efficient at his new assignment; unfortunately, he also drives everyone crazy by rigidly adhering to the CF&W Railroad's timetable. Unfortunately, the train company is looking for a quick tax write-off--and what could be quicker than selling the Cannonball? This episode includes clips from the earlier installments "The Valley Has a Baby" and "The Santa Claus Special". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Ubiquitous, squeaky-voiced character actor Percy Helton does another guest-star turn on Green Acres. This time, Helton is cast as eccentric inventor Luke Needlinger, who has all of Hooterville ga-ga over his latest invention -- a milk-making machine. Of course, Luke could use a little extra money to finance his miracle machine. Thus it is that the Hootervillians once again put the squeeze on poor Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert)...who is even poorer as the episode comes to an end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Percy Helton, Foster Brooks, (more)
- 1969
Returning from their Hooterville holiday, Granny and Elly May arrive in Beverly Hills to discover that both Mr. Drysdale -- and Elly's pet bear -- are nowhere to be found. It seems that Drysdale, with bear in tow, had set out for Hooterville to meet the Clampett ladies, unaware that his car carried a generous supply of Granny's white lightning. And now, the bemused banker is languishing in a rustic jail, arrested for vagrancy and bootlegging. "Drysdale and Friend" originally aired on January 1, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Despite all of Mr. Drysdale's strenuous efforts, "Jed Clampett Enterprises" still occupies the fifth floor of Drysdale's bank building. Joining Jed's fix-it shop and Granny's medical clinic, Jethro has put out his shingle as a Beverly Hills psychiatrist -- and soon enjoys a clientele consisting almost entirely of beautiful young ladies. Meanwhile, gold-digging secretary Jeanie (Georgene Barnes) sets her sights on the Clampett millions. "The Happy Bank" made its first network appearance on February 26, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Charles Lane appears in his familiar Petticoat Junction role as all-around meanie Homer Bedloe. Unable to evict Jed and Granny from their bank building offices, Mr. Drysdale hires the troubleshooting Bedloe to do the dirty deed. Naturally, Drysdale wants to keep his own "good" name out of Bedloe's patented skullduggery -- but does anything ever go as planned on this series? "The Hired Gun" first aired on February 19, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
A fed-up Mr. Drysdale evicts "Hollywood agent" Jethro from his lavish fifth-floor offices. Hoping to maintain harmony in the Clampett family -- and to prevent the hillbillies from withdrawing their money -- Drysdale allows Jed and Granny to rent an office in the bank building. Though he offers to set them up in business, Jed and Granny prefer to fend for themselves, converting the office into a combination "medical clinic" and repair shop. "Jed Clampett Enterprises" first aired on February 5, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Once again, the casts of The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and Green Acres converge for a "very special" holiday episode. In Hooterville for Christmas, Granny continues to romantically pursue hapless storekeeper Sam Drucker (Frank Cady, while Elly May is courted by Eb Dawson (Tom Lester). And back in Beverly Hills, Jed, Jethro, and Mr. Drysdale babysit Elly's pet bear. Also in the cast are Petticoat Junction co-stars Edgar Buchanan, Linda Kaye (Betty Jo), Meredith MacRae (Billie Jo), Lori Saunders (Bobbie Jo), and Mike Minor (%teve Elliot), who sings "One Day at a Time." "Christmas in Hooterville" was logically telecast on December 25, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
This episode cashes in on the renewed popularity of frequent Beverly Hillbillies guest stars Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, who wrote and performed most of the background music for the 1967 film hit Bonnie and Clyde. Ever seeking out publicity for the Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills, Mr. Drysdale dreams up a TV commercial wherein the Clampett family dresses up like the Barrow gang and robs the bank. Inevitably, Flatt and Scruggs perform their hit tune "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," as well as a new composition, "The Ballad of Milburn Drysdale." The supporting cast includes buxom Joi Lansing as Mrs. Flatt (sic!), and raspy-voiced Percy Helton, making his first appearance as downtrodden bank clerk Homer Cratchit. "Bonnie, Flatt and Scruggs" was first telecast on November 20, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Monkees -- Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork -- didn't really enjoy being labelled the Prefab Four back when their TV series was all the rage in 1966. With the help and support of Bob Rafaelson (co-producer, co-writer and director) and Jack Nicholson (co-producer, co-writer, and, if you look closely, bit player), the Monkees expressed their displeasure over being packaged for popular consumption in the non sequitur masterpiece Head. At least, it seems that the film is an indictment of the merchandising of pop stars. It's hard to tell at times, because Head literally has no plot; it is instead a patchwork of loopy sight gags, instant parodies, "camp" cutups, musical numbers and wry inside jokes. Clips of such old movies as the 1934 Karloff-Lugosi epic The Black Cat pop up every so often, as does an impressive lineup of pop-culture icons: Victor Mature, Annette Funicello, Sonny Liston, Frank Zappa (he's the one leading a cow) and Ray Nitschke, as well as such movie-trivia "answers" as Timothy Carey, Vito Scotti, Teri Garr, Percy Helton, Logan Ramsey, Carol Doda, and pre-Divine cross-dresser T.C. Jones. The best bits include a lengthy Golden Boy parody which does double duty as a lampoon of the network's efforts to create "personalities" for the individual Monkees, and a psychedelic buck-and-wing performed by Davy Jones. One gag, in which Micky Dolenz blows up a Coca Cola machine, is usually excised from TV showings. Head did zero business when it first came out thanks to poor distribution, but it has since become a fixture of midnight-movie showings and campus cinema classes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Tork, Davy Jones, (more)
- 1967
Leslie Nielsen, who had once studied acting under Bonanza star Lorne Greene in his native Canada, is here cast as Sheriff Paul Rowan, an old friend of Ben Cartwright. Driven to madness after twelve hard years on the job, Rowan holes up in a stable, shooting or threatening to shoot anyone who comes near him. Responding to the pleas of the Sheriff's wife Catherine (Nancy Malone), Ben tries to coax Paul into surrending and seeking out the medical attention he so desperately needs. First shown on January 29, 1967, "The Unseen Wound" was written by Frank Chase. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1966
Once again, the redoubtable Mr. Haney (Pat Buttram) makes life a living heck for city slicker Oliver (Eddie Albert). It all begins when well-digger Willie the Witcher (played by that squeaky-voiced cult favorite Percy Helton) divines the location of a fresh water supply for Mr. Haney's well. Only one problem -- the water is coming from Oliver's liquid reserves. By and by, Oliver hires Willie to "witch" for the water needed to replenish his well...and this time, it is the Ziffels who go dry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In Southern California, Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Rhodes (Stephen Brooks) go undercover as missile-plant works to plug up a security leak and capture an enemy spy. The situation becomes even more precarious when the Communist higher-ups arrange the "accidental" demise of one of their own agents to cover their tracks--and then formulate a plan to kill Erskine as well. In a plot device worthy of Alfred Hitchcock, the spies operate their network out of a local movie theater (which seems to run nothing but old Warner Brothers films!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Unfortunately, the comedy in this film is just about as crummy as its title. On the bright side, it does feature a number of veterans from popular TV sitcoms. It is set in a run-down diner where a bumbling short-order cook and a klutzy waitress work. They are so terrible at their jobs that they soon lose them. Next the two go to help a pal run her recently inherited bookstore. There they found trouble when a Russian spy mistakenly identifies the former cook as a defecting cosmonaut. Meanwhile, two would-be bank robbers are secretly sneaking 'round the bookstore trying to tunnel into the bank vault next door. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Morey Amsterdam, Richard Deacon, (more)
The action in A Big Hand for the Little Lady centers around a high-stake poker game. The participants include some of the wealthiest men in the West (among them Jason Robards Jr., Kevin McCarthy, Charles Bickford and Paul Ford). Into this rarefied atmosphere trudges impoverished farmer Henry Fonda, who despite the protests of his wife Joanne Woodward plunks down his last dollars to join the game. Halfway through the proceedings, Fonda falls ill. With quiet desperation, Woodward sits down daintily at the table and says in a firm voice, "Gentlemen, how do you play this game?" End of story? Not by a long shot! This O. Henry-style shaggy dog story is based on a Dupont Show of the Week TV presentation Big Deal at Laredo. Keep an eye out for two movie veterans in bit parts: silent screen comic Chester Conklin and 1930's leading lady Mae Clarke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, (more)
- 1965
Franklin Shore is supposed to have died ten years ago, but his widow Matilda (Louise Latham) stubbornly refuses to probate Franklin's will, presumably convinced that the man is still alive. It could be that Matilda is right: her niece Helen (Julie Sommars) receives quite a shock late one night when she receives a phone call from her "late" Uncle Franklin, asking her to meet him at a secret place. One thing leads to another, and before long someone has taken a shot at Helen's boyfriend Frank (Alan Reed Jr.), Helen's pet cat Monkey is poisoned, and the man who had been blackmailing Franklin Shores before his "demise" turns up murdered. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) has got a lot on his plate in this episode, which is based on a novel by series creator Erle Stanley Garnder). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When Chris Carlyle's (Jay North) family leaves their farm for the city, Chris must give his pet puma up to the local zoo. When Chris discovers the terrible conditions that the animals are being kept in, he manages to find a way to set all of the creatures free, much to the dismay of the local residents. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jay North, Martin Milner, (more)
Henry Hathaway directs the 1965 psychological Western The Sons of Katie Elder. Four sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. John (John Wayne) is the gunfighter, Tom (Dean Martin) is the gambler, Matt (Earl Holliman) is the quiet one, and Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.) is the youngest. They soon learn that their father gambled away the family ranch, leading to his own murder. The brothers decide to find their father's killer and get back the ranch, even though they are discouraged to do so by local Sheriff Billy Wilson (Paul Fix). When the sheriff turns up dead, the Elder boys are blamed for the murder. Deputy Sheriff Ben Latta (Jeremy Slate) joins forces with the only witnesses of the murder: Morgan Hastings (James Gregory) and his son Dave (Dennis Hopper). A gunfight breaks out between the Hastings gang and the Elder gang. After his brother Matt is killed, John decides to settle the ranch dispute in a court of law with a judge (Sheldon Allman). However, Tom decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Dave. After the final climactic gunfight, John and the wounded Bud retreat to a rooming house owned by Mary Gordon (Martha Hyer). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Dean Martin, (more)
- 1965
In one of Petticoat Junction's rare fantasy episodes, the Bradley girls' beloved dog (played by future Benji star Higgins) is accused of being a chicken killer by sadistic dogcatcher Hinky Mittenfloss (brilliantly played by the inimitable, squeaky-voiced Percy Helton). Thrown into a dog pound that more closely resembles a miniature Alcatraz, the pooch awaits his fate while Betty Jo (Linda Kaye) pleads for his life in a surrealistic courtroom. This episode was cowritten by Al Schwartz, the brother of Gilligan's Island and Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An unusually long pre-credits sequence establishes the roots of faded Southern belle Charlotte's (Bette Davis) insanity; she'd been witness to the dismemberment murder of her fiance (Bruce Dern) and the suicide of the murderer, her own father (Victor Buono). Years later, Charlotte remains a recluse in her decaying southern mansion, zealously guarding the secret of her father's guilt; she is cared for by her slatternly housekeeper (Agnes Moorehead). When her house is targeted for demolition, Charlotte fears that this will uncover her lover's body parts and thus confirm that her father was a murderer. She desperately summons her seemingly sweet-tempered cousin Miriam (Olivia De Havilland) to help her fight off the house's destruction. Miriam brings along the family doctor (Joseph Cotten) to calm Charlotte's frayed nerves. When Charlotte begins to be plagued by horrific visions of the homicide/suicide of so long ago, it appears that she has gone completely insane. But soon we learn who is behind these delusions...and why. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte was intended by director Robert Aldrich as a follow-up to the successful Joan Crawford/Bette Davis horror piece Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962). Ms. Crawford was originally slated to play Miriam, but became seriously ill shortly before filming started. Davis, who disliked Crawford intensely, suggested that the role of Miriam be filled by her best friend, De Havilland. On the first day of shooting, Davis and DeHavilland pulled a "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" routine by toasting one another with Coca-Cola--a catty observation of the fact that Joan Crawford's husband was an executive with the Pepsi Cola company! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, (more)
- 1964
A jaunty harmonica-music score by Tommy Morgan was the main redeeming feature of this otherwise pedestrian Twilight Zone episode. John Dehner stars as Jared Garrity, a frontier con artist who convinces the citizens of a sleepy western town that he possesses the ability to bring the dead back to life. After a few examples of his power, the townsfolk are convinced -- and are willing to pay through the nose to make sure that certain people remain dead. An amusing but predictable twist caps this episode, which was scripted by Rod Serling from a short story by Mike Korologos and first aired May 8, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Dehner, J. Pat O'Malley, (more)
- 1963
This comical farce is a lighthearted lampoon of Wall Street and the vibrant trading and selling on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Henry Tyroon (James Garner) is the chameleonic broker who changes his colors and ethical standards to fit every deal. Molly (Lee Remick) is the novice trader competing in a largely male profession who catches Henry's eye. Her boss is Bullard Bear (Jim Backus), the slick financial veteran Henry runs up against. Chill Wills, Phil Harris, and Charles Watts are the Texas triumvirate who play their parts of super rich good old boys to the pinnacle of stereotypical eccentricity. John Astin is the vigilant government agent just dying to uncover some dirt and blow the whistle at the slightest hint of impropriety. Louis Nye plays an abstract artist who wishes to expand his stock portfolio. Plenty of jabs are taken at Wall Street, Madison Avenue and idle rich blue bloods at the mercy of unscrupulous opportunists. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Garner, Lee Remick, (more)
- 1963
Scripted by Richard Matheson from his own short story, this episode stars 13-year-old Ann Jillian as the title character, a nonverbal young girl named Ilse Nielsen. Apparently the sole survivor of a fire, Ilse is unofficially adopted by Harry and Cora Wheeler (Frank Overton and Barbara Baxley), who cannot understand why such an intelligent child lacks the power of speech. What the viewer knows, but the Wheelers don't, is that Ilsa is telepathic, raised by telepathic parents -- and her special powers may cause her more harm than good. This 60-minute Twilight Zone episode was first seen on January 31, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ann Jillian, Frank Overton, (more)
- 1963
In this comic episode, Adam and Hoss Cartwright want to enter their newly purchased thoroughbred in the Virginia City Sweepstakes. Alas, Hoss loses the horse in a card game, and now must move heaven and earth to win the nag back. Complication piles upon complication, culminating in a wild racetrack finish wherein Little Joe is pressed into service as a jockey. The supporting cast is filled to overflowing with such familiar character actors as William Demarest, Ellen Corby, and Percy Helton. Written by Alex Sharp, "The Hayburner" was originally telecast on February 17, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1963
While tracking down a gang of poachers, Ben Cartwright is shot and left for dead. Convinced that Ben is dead, his griefstricken sons head off in three different directions to bring their father's "murderer" to justice. Meanwhile, Ben recovers from his wounds and makes his way back to the Ponderosa, where he awaits his sons' return-if indeed, they do return. Robert H. Harris costars as Mr. Dormann, the man responsible for Ben's miraculous revovery. One of the best-ever Bonanza episodes, "The Legeacy" was written by Arthur Wilson, and first aired December 15, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
