By Rich Heldenfels, Akron Beacon Journal –
Q: We all want to know if there is going to be another season of “The Killing.”
A: Not on AMC. The network said in a statement that “After much deliberation, we’ve come to the difficult decision not to renew ‘The Killing’ for a third season.” The cliffhanger ending of the first season alienated many viewers expecting plot resolution, and the second season was often a bore. Still, the TVLine website has reported that both Netflix and DirecTV have considered picking up “The Killing,” which would make sense because Netflix has revived “Arrested Development” for telecast in 2013 and DirecTV kept “Friday Night Lights” and “Damages” alive. But I have not seen any official decision yet.
Q: There was a movie version of “Porgy and Bess” in 1959, starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge, and directed by Otto Preminger. I have never seen this movie on TV or available in any form of video. Can you solve the mystery?
A: The movie has a troubled history, which included a fire on the set, problems between Preminger and Dandridge, Poitier’s reluctance to make the film (and his consenting only after considerable pressure), and issues about its racial attitudes, which include a story that film historian Donald Bogle calls “at heart condescending.”
But the film is reportedly kept out of general release by the estate of George and Ira Gershwin, whose music fills the film. George was dead by the time the film was made but Ira was alive, and displeased with how the film handled the material from the original opera — and even more unhappy when the original movie director, Rouben Mamoulian, was replaced by Preminger. As a result, when rights to the production reverted to the Gershwins, the film was pulled from release — aside from a two-day showing in 2007 — and not offered on an authorized video. (There have been bootlegs, but I do not recommend bootlegs.) As a screen production, the official Gershwins website prefers the 1993 television production of “Porgy and Bess” directed by Trevor Nunn.
Q: Is the guy who plays the chief of the SWAT team on “Flashpoint” the same one who has been on “Person of Interest” a couple of times? If so, who is he?
A: If you are referring to the actor who plays Gregory Parker on “Flashpoint,” that is Enrico Colantoni, who has also recurred on “Person of Interest” as mobster Carl Elias, also known as Charlie Burton. Born in Canada, Colantoni has been a frequent presence on U.S. television. He was Keith Mars on “Veronica Mars,” and photographer Elliott DiMauro on “Just Shoot Me,” for example. He was also Mathesar on the fantasy-comedy classic “Galaxy Quest.”
Q: What are the ages of the three guys from the Monkees? I know Mike Nesmith hasn’t played with them. How is he?
A: Actually, Nesmith has reunited with Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork for a series of shows beginning in November. Davy Jones, the fourth original Monkee, died in February at the age of 66. Dolenz is 67, Nesmith is 69 and Tork is 70.
Q: In one of your articles, you talked about the movie “Casablanca” and stated that the phrase “Play it again, Sam,” was never spoken in the movie. I would differ because about two-thirds of the way through the movie Ingrid Bergman pleads to Dooley Wilson to “Play it again, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”
A: I must differ with you. Even though Woody Allen famously called his “Casablanca”-inspired play and movie “Play It Again, Sam,” there is no “again” in the line in the film. (Trust me, I looked at the movie again before answering you.) Bergman says, “Play it once, Sam. For old time’s sake. … Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”
