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By Rich Heldenfels
Beacon Journal popular culture writer
Published on Thursday, May 22, 2008
If it's Thursday, this must be the mailbag . . .
Q: Please tell me if there was a series on TV in the '60s starring Audie Murphy. I say there was. My friend says there wasn't. If there was, can you tell me if it is on DVD or cassette?
A: You win. According to The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present, the war hero and actor starred in Whispering Smith, a short-lived series that aired on NBC in 1961. (There were also a real-life Whispering Smith, a novel of that name and several movies with a character of that name going back to the silent days.) Murphy played the title character, a police detective in 1870s Denver. The cast also included singer Guy Mitchell as Smith's sidekick; according to the Complete Directory, the series was intended for the 1959-60 season, but postponed after Mitchell broke his shoulder seven episodes into production.
Unfortunately, I could not find an authorized video release of the series.
Q: I am writing to you to settle a bet if possible. The bet is that there was a program on TV in the '50s called ''Star Tonight'' and some actors who became well-known appeared on it. Among them was Charlton Heston, who played a poor farmer. Sammy Davis Jr. played a soldier who befriended a German waif. Hal Holbrook, I
can't remember his part. I hope you can help.
A: I'm not sure who wins this bet. There was a dramatic anthology series called Star Tonight that aired on ABC in 1955-56. According to the Complete Directory, it was meant to be a showcase for young actors and actresses working in New York. But, judging from credits in the Internet Movie Database and other sources, that does not fit with the actors you mentioned. What does is Star Showcase, which consisted of syndicated reruns of General Electric Theater, a drama anthology on which both Heston and Davis performed — in the episodes Seeds of Hate and Auf Wiedersehen, respectively.
Q: Is Karl Malden still with us? If so, what is his age? If not, when did he die? Also, are there plans to release ''The Streets of San Francisco'' on DVD?
A: Karl Malden, an Oscar and Emmy winner, marked his 96th birthday in March — and his 69th wedding anniversary last December. He is also famous for his ''Don't leave home without it'' commercials for American Express, and for The Streets of San Francisco, a cop show co-starring Michael Douglas, which aired on ABC from 1972 to 1977. The first season of that series has been released on DVD (in two separate sets). The first volume of the second season is due on DVD in July.
Q: Will ''Dog the Bounty Hunter'' ever be back on A&E again? What's his status?
A: Apparently Duane ''Dog'' Chapman has done enough penance for using the n-word in a recorded phone call made public in late 2007. And criminal charges related to his capture of fugitive Andrew Luster in Mexico have been dismissed. The show will begin reruns on A&E in late June, with new episodes to start on July 16. You can catch up on Dog at http://www.dogthebountyhunter.com.
Q: One of my favorite actors, Richard Widmark, has died. Of all the movies he made, one stands out to me and I can't remember the title. He produced, directed and starred, and I think it was made in 1961. Widmark goes into East Germany with a young lady to smuggle her father out.
A: I think the movie you remember is The Secret Ways. Widmark played a man going into Hungary with a professor's daughter to help the father get out. He also produced; Phil Karlson is the director of record, but Widmark reportedly directed portions as well. I do not know of an authorized release on video. I did see a VHS version for sale at http://www.robertsvideos.com, but cannot vouch for the source or quality.
Do you have a question or comment about movies, TV and other popular culture? Write to rheldenfels@thebeaconjournal.com or the Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309. Please mark the note for Mailbag and do not phone in questions.
Letters may be edited. Individual replies cannot be guaranteed.
Rich Heldenfels writes about popular culture for the Beacon Journal and in a blog at http://www.ohio.com. You can find more columns, questions and answers at http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/heldenfels.
If it's Thursday, this must be the mailbag . . .
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