ask doug
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday September 21, 2009
Anne Philp of Willoughby has a few versions of Little Women in her collection but would love to add the 1949 version, featuring June Allyson, Elizabeth Taylor and Mary Astor. Can any L.M. Alcottophile assist?Alf Deeth phoned the editor and let it be known that he would like to contact anyone with a VHS copy of The Phantom of the Opera (2004), which starred Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum. Hopefully someone will come forward but then what? You didn't leave your details, Alf, which is another reason why these matters aren't dealt with by phone. Ditto Trish Lane and your request for Stromboli. I'd be glad to try to find it but you must write so there's a record of your address in the event someone comes up trumps with the necessary disc or tape. Queries cannot be processed by phone and it's preferred that responses are also made by some means involving paper.Frequent writer of letters to the editor, Garth Clark of Kirribilli, wonders if anyone can help with a DVD or VHS print of The Heiress (the 1949 version with Olivia deHavilland and Monty Clift). A copy of Friendly Persuasion (1956) wouldn't go astray, either. If you have either of these films and fancy swapping them for Red River or The Great Ziegfield, now is the time to act.Ross Kemp from Tweed Heads asks for €“ and receives €“ a disc of The 39 Steps. As a result of earlier correspondence involving that drama, a surplus copy of the 1959 version, provided by Lucky Al, was retrieved from the enchanted Guide Cupboard and is on its way north.Let's talk audio. Can anyone with a copy of Ma Baker, played by the Caravelli Orchestra, make a dub for Mike Miceli of Hornsby? Vinyl would be OK but CD is better. Any leads gratefully received.Oh, dear! Routine cleansing conducted in conjunction with the triennial desk-wiping exercise has turned up a bundle of requests dating back months and months €“ even years, perhaps. Who knows what has transpired for readers in the meantime but in the slightly tardy spirit of assistance, here are some answers:Eileen Comans of Bankstown (09/06/08): The Girl in the Cafe is available on DVD from ABC Shops for $19.95. Hagen Henry of Cooranbong: I have turned up a spare set of Edge of Darkness €“ the last one. Sender's details lost, which will save you the price of a stamp. Your letter ended: "Hoping to hear from you soon." Well, you didn't but you finally have. Thanks, as ever, to anon €“ you know who you are.If anyone is still looking for The Uninvited, the subject of a request or two around April last year, Dee Hobbs notes it is available from Box Office Videos (boxofficevideos.com) on DVD for about $15. The store has a good selection of golden oldies.GPO Box 506, Sydney, NSW 2001 or fax 9282 2481.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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