Q. I'd like to know about Gary Oldman, star of "Bram Stoker's Dracula." - M.P., Roseville, Mich.
A. Oldman was born in London, England, March 21, 1958, started acting at 17 in a London children's theater, made his movie debut in 1981 in "Remembrance" and hit it big five years later in the cult movie "Sid and Nancy." He's been married twice, to actress Lesley Manville, mother of son Alfie, and actress Uma Thurman.Q. Many years ago, I watched a series of five movies called "The Mexican Spitfire Movies." I don't remember who starred or when they were made. Are they on tape? - E.W., Milltown, Mont.
A. The series of B movies actually started with "The Girl From Mexico" starring Lupe Velez, Donald Woods and Leon Errol in 1939. It went over so well, it was remade the same year as "Mexican Spitfire" with the same three stars. It was followed by six more "Spitfire" movies ending with 1943's "Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event," all with Velez and Errol but with various actors taking Woods' place. None of the movies is listed as on tape.
Q. I recently saw the new version of "Of Mice and Men." I'm interested in the stud who plays George, Gary Sinise. What else has he done; how old; married? - L.M., Plymouth Township, Pa.
A. Sinise, 35, is best known for his theatrical work, particularly as the co-founder of Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theater. He's directed as often as acted. With Steppenwolf, he played Tom Joad in the 1990 Tony-winning "Grapes of Wrath," another Steinbeck work. Sinise also directed the feature "Miles From Home," has acted in "A Midnight Clear" and will be seen in "Jack the Bear." Currently he's directing a new Steppenwolf production, "The Road to Nirvana." He's married and the father of four.
Q. Phil Harris, a voice in many animated movies, sounds so familar. Was he ever seen in any movies? - B.T., Saint Clair Shores, Mich.
A. Harris made a few movies, most notably "The High and the Mighty," but he's better known for his years on radio. A band leader, he joined Jack Benny's show in 1936 and turned out to be a comedian as well. His "Hi ya, Jackson" was a show trademark. Later, Harris co-starred with his wife, Alice Faye, on a comedy show from 1946-54. In more recent years, Harris was a commentator for the Bing Crosby Golf Tournament. Harris, now 88, and Faye, now 80, married in 1941. They are retired and live in Nevada.
Q. Tom Skerritt, the taciturm minister in "A River Runs Through It" - do I remember correctly that he started about 30 years ago in a TV series "It's a Man's World"? What else has he done? - M.E., Corvallis, Ore.
A. Before his current foray into series TV, CBS's "Picket Fences," Skerritt was a regular on a 1983 bomb called "Ryan's Four" and briefly on "Cheers" as bar owner Evan Drake. Skerritt made his feature debut in a low-budget 1962 movie "War Hunt" with another newcomer, Robert Redford, who directed "River." Skerritt's done many features, including "M*A*S*H," "Alien," "Top Gun," "The Turning Point" and a flock of TV movies. ("It's a Man's World," seen 1962-63, starred Glenn Corbett, Mike Burns, Ted Bessell and Randy Boone.)
Q. Refresh my memory: Was there such a movie as "Soylent Green" with Edward G. Robinson and Charlton Heston? I remember it as far out. My friends say that I'm the one that's far out. - M.M.M., Philadelphia.
A. It's on tape and laser disc. Rent it and show your friends who's far out. The 1973 sci-fi movie was an adaptation of "Make Room! Make Room!" by Henry Harrison, about an overcrowded New York in 2022. The title refers to a kind of food. It was Robinson's last movie.
Q. Whatever happened to beautiful Jennifer Beals of "Flashdance" fame?
A. She recently co-starred in her husband's movie, "In the Soup," which won the Grand Jury Prize, the top award, at the Sundance Film Festival. She also played the lawyer in last year's popular summer series, "2000 Malibu Road." Beals has been married to writer-director Alexandre Rockwell for seven years. Her work since "Flashdance" (1983) has been mostly low-budget, including "Soup," which cost $800,000, and some of that was borrowed from family.
Q. What's next for Tom Selleck?
A. After an extended tour promoting "Mr. Baseball" in the fall and winter, Selleck seemed to be enjoying being between movies. He even let his hair grow to his shoulders, explaining that it would be easier to cut, rather than grow, for the next role. Selleck says he might start a new film in the early spring. There has been talk of a second sequel to the top-grossing "Three Men and a Baby" (the sequel earned a measly $150 million worldwide) and a "Magnum" movie. Meanwhile, spouse Jillie Mack is developing her own one-woman show.
Q. Is the actor who played the Marine accused of murder in the movie "A Few Good Men" an old hand in the business?
A. Not at all. Wolfgang Bodison, 25, made his movie debut in the role. The former defensive back for the University of Virginia was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Hired to deliver mail at Castle Rock production company, he became Rob Reiner's personal assistant for "Misery" in 1990. He walked by Reiner one day in 1991 when the director was puzzling over his cast for his next movie. "I'd found some good actors," said Reiner, "but none who had this image of the recruiting-poster Marine - this ramrod-straight, taut-looking kind of guy." Bodison is hooked; he has an agent and an acting coach.
Q. How do the Red Hot Chili Peppers account for their superstardom in 1992?
A. Their sex-obsessed lyrics (and that Rolling Stone cover in the nude) seem to offer the right dose of rebellious nuttiness for the times. Not to mention their rhythmic metallic funk album, "Blood Sugar Sex Magik," and their headlining stint on the alternative-music Lollapalooza summer tour. "I've felt successful from the first day we ever played," said co-founder Anthony Kiedis, the supposed singer of the group whose audience goes from the MTV crowd to aging rock 'n' rollers. "As for mainstream popularity, we've been working at it for 10 years now. It can take time for the general population to warm up to a concept that isn't made readily obvious by the mainstream media. . . . I just get on the boat and go."
Q. I've been trying to find a tape of "Cavalcade," the 1920s British movie that won one of the early Oscars. - S.M., Orlando, Fla.
A. The 1933 Oscar winner (best picture, best director and interior decoration) was a star-studded Hollywood adaptation of a Noel Coward hit play. So far, it's not on tape.
Q. It is my recollection that Chuck Woolery ("Love Connection") died several years back. Am I nuts? - C.A.K., Louisville, Colo.
A. Well, a very alive Woolery will be found on NBC starting Jan. 18 hosting a new version of the game show "Scrabble." Could you have confused him with another gamesman, Bert Convy, who died in 1991?
Q. Tell me about Ella Joyce, of "Roc." Where can I write to the cast? - R.R., Oak Park, Mich.
A. Joyce, born Cherron Hoye in Chicago, was raised in Detroit and worked as a secretary at General Motors before heading for Los Angeles, where she started acting. After a move to New York, she did theater and won several awards. Her first major feature role was in "Stop or My Mom Will Shoot." She's married to actor Dan Martin. Write: Fox Broadcasting Co., Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213.
Q. Can you tell me what the term "kinescope" meant in the early days of television? It seems to me it was a forerunner to videotaping. - F.K., Philadelphia.
A. In a way. Kinescope recording, to give the full name, was made by filming a live TV presentation, program, newscast or news event from the television monitor. The quality was poor and the kinescopes deteriorated rapidly, one reason some of TV's early programs no longer exist.
Q. My brother, who has multiple sclerosis, would like to write to Annette Funicello. What's her address? - V.J., Orlando, Fla.
A. Funicello has been getting mail through Disney Studios, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521.
Q. What can you tell me about the old "Price Is Right"? I can remember watching it years ago, but my friends don't recall it at all. Pass on what information you can and tell me the format of the show. - A.J., Lancaster, N.Y.
A. "The Price Is Right" made its debut in 1956 on NBC with Bill Cullen as host. The format was more rigid than the current show; four contestants bid on items via tote machines. That version ran until 1963 on NBC, then moved to ABC until 1965. In 1972, the show was revived, titled briefly "The New Price Is Right," with a looser format of several price-guessing games. Bob Barker was and still is the host. A syndicated version with Dennis James ran from 1972-74, and another syndicated version in 1985 had Tom Kennedy at the helm.
Q. Give me the address of Angela Lansbury's "Murder, She Wrote." I've been bothered by ungrammatical English on the show. Since J.B. Fletcher (Angela) is a former English teacher, I feel the writers should be more careful. - E.B., W. Bloomfield, Mich.
A. Lansbury probably would be delighted to hear your comments. Write: Universal Televsion, Universal City, CA 91608.
Q. Tell me the address of the studio that produces "Delta." I would like to write her. - G.S., Gary, Ind.
A. "Delta," along with "Room for Two" and "Homefront," ABC's three lowest-rated series, were jettisoned in December but will turn up again in the spring to play out their contracted episodes. "Delta" isn't in production but you can write Delta Burke at Universal TV, Universal City, CA 91608.
Q. I understand that "People's Court" with Judge Wapner is being taken off the Fox network. I am very upset. It is the only program on the air that you know will be fair. I do hope some other network will pick up this fine program. - G.J.T., Norfolk, Va.
A. "People's Court" isn't a Fox network show. It's syndicated, and it's the syndicator that has decided to drop the show after a 12-year run. The reason: The shows were so similar, it was hard to tell them apart. There'll be reruns available.
Q. I'd like to know where Mindy Lewis is and when she will come back to "The Guiding Light." - Mrs. J.L.G., San Marcos, Calif.
A. Kimberly Simms, who was Lewis, departed in a contract squabble. The show wanted her to sign for two years because of big plans for the Lewis character. Simms didn't want to commit to more than a year. She wants to do other things, features for instance. The role has been recast. Ann Hamilton is taking over.
Q. I recently watched "Matlock" and I recognized Brynn Thayer. I can't recall what soap she was in but she's familar. - B.R., St. Joseph, Mo.
A. Thayer spent nine years, 1978-86, as Jenny Wolek in "One Life to Live." She left the New York-based soap to try her luck in Los Angeles. She's done one series, 1988's "TV101" and many guest roles in TV series and movies.
Q. Tell me what Bill Hayes is doing now. I loved to hear him sing on "Days of Our Lives." - Mrs. E.M., Haverton, Pa.
A. That's what he's doing: singing. Hayes does concerts and theater around the country.
- Send your questions to Celebrity Questions, Detroit Free Press, 321 W. Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48231.