You have questions. I have some answers.
Q: We recently visited the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie for the “Ghost Army” exhibit. It was very interesting. I looked online to see if any movies have been made of this remarkable feat. It said Ben Affleck had looked into it in 2019. When will it be coming out?
A: For those of you tuning in late, the Ghost Army “used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and imagination to fool the Germans on the battlefields of Europe,” according to the Ghost Army Legacy Project website. Kept secret for many years, more recent attention has included the 2013 documentary “The Ghost Army,” directed by Rick Beyer; a 2015 book, “The Ghost Army of World War II,” also by Beyer, and the exhibit at the Illinois museum. In 2019, Affleck was announced as director and star of a movie based on Beyer’s book, but such announcements often do not say when such a movie might happen — especially with performers with packed schedules.
Since 2019 Affleck has reportedly acted in four movies not counting appearances in DC projects; co-written two movies with his friend Matt Damon (and directed one of them), started a new production company with Damon, and been mentioned as director of two films in development, neither of which is “Ghost Army.” You may also have read about his renewed romance and marriage to Jennifer Lopez.
Q: I saw recently that Clarence Gilyard Jr. died. What age was he when he died, and why did he?
A: It’s a sadly appropriate time to mention Gilyard, born on Christmas Eve in 1955 and the tech expert in the original, Christmastime-set “Die Hard” (1988). He was also known for supporting roles in “Matlock” (1989-1993) and “Walker, Texas Ranger” (1993-2001). He was an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, when he passed away in November; reports referred only to a long, unspecified illness.
Gilyard is not the only “Walker, Texas Ranger” player on readers’ minds.
Q: I was and am a big fan of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” (The new “Walker” just doesn’t get it.) What happened to Noble Willingham, who played C.D. on the old show? I don’t remember why he left.
A: Willingham played C.D. Parker from the series premiere in 1993 until 1999, when he left to run for a Texas seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Willingham lost the 2000 election but did not return to “Walker” since his character had been killed off by then. He did resume acting and died in 2004.
Q: There was a movie that I think was called “The Guardian,” with Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, that was shown on TV years ago. Considering all the old movie reruns, why is this never shown anymore?
A: You are thinking of “The Bodyguard,” from 1992, with Costner as the bodyguard for a singer-actress played by Houston. And it is shown, and listings for Lifetime include "Bodyguard" telecasts on Dec. 26 and 27. It’s also on streaming service HBO Max, although that's been undergoing changes. There have also been DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Q: Are there any plans to start a new “Rizzoli & Isles” series since it only shows repeats now?
A: The crime drama inspired by the novels by Tess Gerritsen ended its run in 2016, and I have not seen any news about a revival or reboot. The main performers have moved on to other projects. For example, Angie Harmon, who played Jane Rizzoli, was seen this summer in the first of a planned series of Lifetime movies, “Buried in Barstow.” Because that ended with a cliffhanger, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next film.
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