Pop culture Q&A

May 2, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Tribune

Q. I am interested in the Western actor Lee Van Cleef. Is he still living? What year did he make his first movie? What year did he make his last movie? If still living, where is he now?

A. The actor famous for playing villains in movies such as “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” died in 1989. He was 64. According to the Internet Movie Database, he made more than 160 appearances on television and movies in a career ranging from 1952, when he was in “High Noon,” to a posthumously released film called “Thieves of Fortune.”

Q. We like Jesse Ventura’s “Conspiracy Theory” show. Did they remove/cancel it?

A. The truTV series has been renewed for a second season of eight episodes, although an air date has not been set.

Q. I would like to know if Rossif Sutherland is related to Donald and Kiefer Sutherland.

A. He is Donald Sutherland’s son, and the half brother of Kiefer.

Q. Could you please tell me if “Mad Men” has been canceled by AMC? I have not seen anywhere if it has been renewed or canceled.

A. The series recently began production on its fourth season, which will start airing July 25.

Q. For many years I have been searching for a movie made for TV and not a documentary. The main star was Booth Powers playing the role of Jim Jones in the Jonestown massacre in Guyana.

A. That was Powers Boothe, not Booth Powers, giving an Emmy-winning performance in “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.” It has been released on DVD more than once, and I have seen it for sale on Amazon.com. However, customers on that site have complained loudly about the video and audio on the DVD, so buyer beware.

Q. When I was in elementary school back in the late ’50s, every Christmas we would be herded into the auditorium and we would watch an animated movie called “The Littlest Angel.” It was about a child angel trying to find the right gift for the new-born Jesus. I’ve never seen it on TV or on tape or DVD. Has it ever been released? I would love for my grandkids to see it.

A. This is one of those reminders of different viewing generations. For some, “The Littlest Angel” is a live-action film from the late ’60s, starring Johnny Whitaker of “Family Affair” fame. For an earlier generation, there was this 14-minute animated film, made in 1950, and — like the later production — based on the Charles Tazewell book of the same name. (There is also a 1997 animated version.) The film you want is currently available through the Phoenix Learning Group, http://www.phoenixlearninggroup.com, for about $20.

Q. What is the name of the great song at the end of HBO’s “Big Love” on Feb. 21?

A. According to HBO, the song playing over the end credits of the “Blood Atonement” episode of “Big Love” is “Your Protector” by Fleet Foxes.

Q. A classic TV series was named “Combat” and was made in the ’60s. The main character was Sgt. Saunders, played by Vic Morrow. We would very much like to know if it is on DVD.

A. The series, which originally aired from 1962-67 on ABC, is very fondly remembered. The entire series has been released on DVD, in several sets consisting of part of each season, some “best-of” packages and a complete-series box. If your local retailer cannot get it for you, try online sellers such as Amazon.com.