Pop culture Q&A

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. Can you check your crystal ball and see if there will be any new “Star Trek,” “James Bond” and “Superman” movies in the future?

A. Yes to all three. Although the 23rd official Bond film long has been delayed, it is now reportedly being prepared — with Daniel Craig returning as Bond. Director J.J. Abrams has also dropped hints about a sequel to his 2009 “Star Trek.” And “Man of Steel,” the latest Superman movie (with Henry Cavill in the title role and Zack Snyder directing), is in the works. This could make for a busy holiday season in 2012, since the movies are set for November and December of next year.

Q. I just watched the season finale of “Army Wives.” Does this mean that there will be no more of the show? Really have enjoyed it. Would hate to see it go.

A. Though the season finale of “Army Wives” certainly looked like a farewell, with the show’s military base scheduled to be shut down and the characters scattering, the Lifetime series has been renewed for another season. There was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it teaser for the next run at the end of the season finale.

Q. I read in the paper some time back that there will be a new “Men in Black III” movie. Is that correct? Any word on when it will be released?

A. There is a third “Men in Black” movie in the works. It reportedly will involve time travel and a cast that includes, besides the returning Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, Josh Brolin as a younger version of Jones’ character. The movie is expected in 2012.

Q. I am trying to find the Basil Rathbone “Sherlock Holmes” movie with the Creeper. Do you know the name of it and whether it is available?

A. You are looking for “The Pearl of Death,” a 1944 film with Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. It is on DVD in several packages. The eerie Creeper was played by actor Rondo Hatton, who also played the Creeper in 1946’s “House of Horrors” and “The Brute Man,” released the same year.

The Turner Classic Movies website says that Hatton was exploited by movies because he had a deformity — acromegaly, which enlarges the bones in the hands, feet and face. That created a look that the movies repeatedly treated as frightening. Hatton died of a heart attack in 1946.

Q. Years ago at Christmastime, a Christmas special named “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” was shown. This was such a delightful story, and I look for it each season with no luck. Is there somewhere I can get a copy?

A. The Jim Henson special, which aired on HBO and later in edited form on ABC, has been released on DVD several times, as recently as 2008, and I have seen copies for sale from online vendors. I also have read about controversies surrounding the video releases because of the absence of well-remembered material, such as an introduction by Kermit the Frog. There’s a very good discussion of the issues at the Muppet Central fan site (www.muppetcentral.com).

Do you have a question or comment about movies, TV and other popular culture? Write to rheldenfelsthebeaconjournal.com or the Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, Ohio 44309. Please mark the note for Mailbag and do not phone in questions. Letters may be edited. Individual replies cannot be guaranteed.

2011, Akron Beacon Journal

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