POP CULTURE Q&A

March 28, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Tribune

Q. Can you tell me when the film and theater actress Sandy Dennis starred in a University of Akron theater production and the production’s name?

A. Dennis was 20 when she appeared in “The Reluctant Debutante,” an English comedy by William Douglas Home, for the University of Akron Theater in November 1957. The mainly student-cast production also included James Kovach, Nancy Lee White, Tom Sweitzer, David Buntley, Dianne Hall, Judy Lewis and Rosemary Deason.

But Dennis — called a “young and pretty starlet of Broadway and television” by the Akron Beacon Journal — was the big name.

Dennis had already done the play on a professional tour with Ruth Chatterton and Arthur Treacher. Her stage career was considerable, and included Tony awards for her performances in “A Thousand Clowns” and “Any Wednesday.” And she worked in films, including “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” for which she won an Oscar as best supporting actress. She died in 1992.

Q. Is it true that McLean Stevenson (actor on TV’s “M*A*S*H”) and Adlai Stevenson (a politician) are cousins? Are they active?

A. The actor was distantly related to the political Stevensons. McLean was a second cousin once removed to Adlai II, the presidential contender in the ’50s, according to several references. And the politician influenced the performer by inviting him to a 1961 party, the New York Times says. “Mingling with show business luminaries like Gower Champion and Sanford Meisner, Mr. Stevenson decided to become an actor.”

McLean died in 1996. Adlai II died in 1965. His son Adlai III, also a politician, is alive and 79.

Q. Just curious as to whether you know what happened to Kate Snow. They announced on the Saturday edition of “Good Morning America” that she was leaving.

A. Snow is joining NBC, where she will be a correspondent for “Dateline.”

Q. The final episodes of “Dirty Sexy Money” seemed to be aired on obscure days. Can you please tell me who ultimately ended up killing the main character’s father?

A. ABC burned off final episodes of the series Saturday nights in summer 2009. Each of its two seasons were released on DVD. So if you want to see the conclusion for yourself, don’t read the next sentence.

OK, if you’re determined to know, it turned out Nick’s father was not dead and was scheming behind the scenes.

Q. Will “Army Wives” be returning to Lifetime?

A. Yes. The fourth season begins April 11.

Q. A movie I enjoyed so much was “The Young Philadelphians.” I think it may have been the debut movie for Barbara Rush and featured some young male actors who developed into movie stars. Is the movie available on DVD or likely to be included in the spate of revivals being shown on TV?

A. Barbara Rush was in the 1959 film (although it was not her first); the cast also included Paul Newman, Robert Vaughn and Brian Keith. It was released as a separate title on DVD, although that appears to be out of production so you may have to hunt a little. It is available still as part of Warner Home Video’s Paul Newman Collection box of seven films. I do not know of a planned televised replay, but you can track Turner Classic Movies’ offerings at www.tcm.com.