Q.
I saw "Poltergeist II" the other night and I'd like to know more about Craig T. Nelson. Has he done anything else? - Laura Waldmar, Liverpool, N. Y.A. - Nelson's features include "Poltergeist," "The Killing Fields," "Silkwood," "The Forumla," ". . . And Justice for All," "All the Right Moves," "Private Benjamin." He helped write "Poltergeist II." In fact, Nelson started as a writer then went into acting and did many series and TV movies. Most recently, he starred in the ABC summer series "Coach."
Q. - I saw a movie years ago in which a very young George Hamilton played the son of rich and powerful landowner Robert Mitchum in bayou country. Any idea of the name of the movie and if it's on tape? - Carolyn Scheer, Grand Forks, N.D.
A. - "Home from the Hill" a 1960 drama, was the second movie for Hamilton, then 21. Another newcomer in the cast whose career got a boost from the movie was George Peppard. It's not on tape.
Q. - I'd like some information on movie actor Edward Arnold. Name his movies. When did he die? - Diane O'Neill, Farmington Hills, Mich.
A. - Character actor Arnold, real name Gunther Edward Arnold Schneider, was 66 when he died in 1956. Arnold made over 50 two-reel silent westerns and 150 features after 1932, too many to list. Check the public library.
Q. - My wife and I have been arguing about the movie "Swiss Family Robinson." Were there two versions, one by Disney, another a British film with James Mason? - George Tennant, Simi Valley, Calif.
A. - There have been three movie versions of Johann Wyss' tale: a 1940 version with Thomas Mitchell, considered the best by critics; the 1960 Disney version with John Mills; a 1975 TV version with Martin Milner, which was a pilot for a short-lived TV series.
Q. What happened to the original Mason Capwell on "Santa Barbara"? Why did he leave the show? - P.B., Wyandotte, Mich.
A. Lane Davies quit the series in July saying he was going on a trip around the world. The show's producers wanted to know when he'd be back but he wouldn't make a commitment, so he was replaced by Terry Lester, who played Jack Abbott on "The Young and the Restless." He quit that show because he felt he wasn't getting enough to do.
Q. What feature films has the lovely Melody Thomas Scott, of "The Young and the Restless," been in? - H.S., Cape May Point, N.J.
A. As Melody Thomas, she made her movie bow at 8 in "Marnie." Her other features, "Dirty Harry," "The Beguiled," "Posse," "The Fury," "The Shootist," "The Car" and "Piranha." Since she joined "Y and R" in 1979, she's concentrated on TV.
Q. I'd like to know more about actor Gary Busey. When was he born, where? is he married? Where does he live? What's his next movie? - D.B., Lombard, Ill.
A. Busey was born June 29, 1944, in Goosecreek, Texas. He and wife Judy are parents of Jake, 18. They live in Los Angeles. Busey has made two movies since his near fatal motorcycle crash in December 1988: "The Neon Empire" for Showtime cable and "Cadence."