Post by gagman66 on Jul 25, 2010 1:53:08 GMT -6
At long last. I finally got to see this movie for the first time ever. Based on the amount of letters in Vintage movie magazines this was a very popular film back in the day. Still running in Theaters more than a year after it's original release. The two little girls Toodie, and Budge, pride of the Lawrence family played by Baby Peggy and Jean Carpenter are just adorable. Clair Adams is quite a stunning beauty as the Mother Helen. Hubby Tom Lawrence (Richard Tucker) has learned how to rear his little darling's by following all the detailed technique's found in this wife's brother's book on child care to the letter. They consider that man a true godsend. So much that they will allow the famous author to tend to the well behaved little tykes while the parents slip away for the weekend. No concern's after all good old Uncle Harry himself a Bachelor, played by a young though still very recognizable Edward Everett Horton, is the reining authority on Children, Isn't He?Headed into town for a vacation Uncle has no idea what He is getting himself into. Alice Mayton (Clara Bow) a winsome neighbor of the Lawrence's who lives down the road, is a strong admirer of the acclaimed writer's work. She shows up at the station with the family, and is quickly fascinated, with the unsuspecting Uncle. On the way to the Lawrence home they spot the two little girls in a predicament. Toodie and budge are stuck up high on a tree, attempting to retrieve a beloved Rag Doll that got snagged on a branch. Swiftly Uncle Harry dashes to the rescue. He saves the girls but leaves the toy behind. Now He will need to play the hero a second time. To bad He isn't very skilled at this. Ker-plunk goes the Child rearing expert! Toodie scrambles back up the tree, as if it is second nature, and finally gets her dolly. While Uncle Harry who having taken a nasty spill attempt's to collect his numbers. Catch me if you can Uncle! Toodie is headed down and believes on taking the shortest rout. Flying like a Bird! Successfully, breaking the fall, Toodie is all set for another go around! That was so much fun! No more of that! Uncle has had enough outdoor adventures for one afternoon!
Back home now and Harry can relax at last. Wishful thinking! Toodie and Budge mean well, but are constantly getting into things. Uncle Larry's things. Popping open a canister chuck full of his starched collars, Toodie will roll them up as small as she can in order to fit them back in the container. Baby Peggy is to Cute for words with her little Colleen Moore type Bob and bangs. There is one mishap after another, as the toddlers try to be helpful. Soon poor Harry is fit to be tied! And when inquisitive Toodie spy's Uncle shaving, she can't wait to try out it herself! Watch out that things sharp!
Next morning, while visiting Alice, the girls wander from the grounds, chasing a shy stray dog to a gypsy camp several blocks away. Before long they end up facing a speeding train! Oh, my! The stubborn Pooch won't move from the tracks! Yikes! Wouldn't you know Mommy and Daddy are aboard! Meantime, Harry and Alice in pursuit have been fending of accused Baby-Nappers in the gypsy camp! What happens now?
HELEN'S BABIES is great fun, a real charmer and appears to be in pretty decent shape. There are a couple scenes with some nitrate deterioration. Over all not to bad though. Director William Seiter who made several films with Laura La Plante, keeps the comedy business, all very plausible. The Silent Edward Evertt Horten isn't much different than the talking one. Giving the impression that most of the time, He has no idea what his next move is going to be. Clara Bow is terrific as Alice, though one is inclined to question her taste in Men falling as she does for the rather dim-witted Harry!
A Public-Domain Clara Bow title, It would be nice to see a restored print of this in the future along with the newly discovered MAYTIME. and maybe EMPTY HEARTS. There's an idea for a future Flicker Alley, Milestone, or Kino project. Hey, If KID BOOTS is really Public Domain, certainly wouldn't mind seeing them take a look at that either. I would definitely buy such a collection.
