Pop culture Q&A

December 25, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

Q. Sometime after 1947, Mel Ferrer (not Jose), appeared in a movie based on a physician living in Keene, N.H. Two days a week he would go to Boston to help at a black hospital.

The family secret was that not even the children knew they were African-American, being white-skinned. I would love to obtain the movie or book but cannot remember the name.

A. The movie is called “Lost Boundaries,” from 1949. It is available on DVD through Warner Bros.’ on-demand service at www.wbshop.com.

The film was based on a “Reader’s Digest” article and book by William L. White. It does not appear that the book is currently in print.

There are old copies around; Amazon.com has some available, although they can be expensive.

Q. I have been looking for a Christmas-type movie. I believe “The Red Shoes” is the title.

It stars Rob Lowe and a little boy trying to buy a pair of red shoes for his dying mother. Is there a DVD or VHS that you know of?

A. The name of the movie is “The Christmas Shoes,” the same name as the song that inspired the film. It has been released on DVD.

Q. Is Laurence Fox on the “Inspector Lewis” mysteries related to Edward Fox, who played in “Masterpiece” plays such as “Shaka Zulu”?

A. Laurence Fox, who plays Detective Sgt. Hathaway in the series of programs airing under the “Masterpiece Mystery” banner, is the son of actor James Fox, the nephew of Edward Fox and the cousin of Emilia Fox (Merlin), a daughter of Edward.

Laurence also is married to the actress Billie Piper (“Secret Diary of a Call Girl,” “Doctor Who”).

Q. I came across a movie on cable late one night. It starred Aidan Quinn and Kate Beckinsale. Quinn’s character was a ghost hunter investigating an old English manor, where Beckinsale’s character was a ghost along with her two brothers.

I wonder if you could tell me the title of the movie and if it is available on DVD.

A. It would appear you saw the movie “Haunted,” from 1995, with Quinn, Beckinsale, Anthony Andrews and John Gielgud.

There was a DVD release about 10 years ago, and I have seen some copies for sale on Amazon.com. (Note: More than one production has been called “Haunted,” so take care when looking for this one.)

Q. In the summer of 1957, I worked at a Poconos resort called Unity House. Next to our resort was Tamiment.

They were filming a movie I think was called “Marjorie Morningstar” featuring Natalie Wood.

We used to sneak over the fence and actually got a glimpse of her. Was this the movie? How long did they film there? Who were the stars?

A. There is a 1958 movie called “Marjorie Morningstar,” based on a novel by Herman Wouk. It starred Wood, Gene Kelly, Claire Trevor, Martin Milner, Carolyn Jones and Akron’s own Jesse White, among others.

I do not know how long or how much was shot in the Poconos; the movie is available on DVD if you want to see which scenes look familiar.

Q. In 1984, there was a CBS Christmas-themed musical hour starring Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton called “Kenny and Dolly: A Christmas to Remember.” Was it ever released on home video?

A. As far as I can tell, the special, tied to the Rogers- Parton audio recording “Once Upon a Christmas,” is not available on an authorized video.

2011 the Akron Beacon Journal

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