Ask American Profile 10/18/2009

James Baskett, Charles Kuralt, Robert Osborne, Christina Hendricks

Q  What is the name of the actor who played Uncle Remus in Song of the South? Did he sing the songs himself? What other films did he make?
—Ellen Collins, Camden, Ohio

The actor was Indianapolis native James Baskett, and the 1946 Disney classic provided him with his signature role and earned him an honorary Academy Award. Sadly, it was his last film. Baskett died in 1948 at the age of 44 of heart disease. He appeared in a few other films, including Harlem Is Heaven, Straight to Heaven and Revenge of the Zombies. From 1944 to 1948, he played lawyer Gabby Gibson on radio's Amos 'n' Andy. And yes, that is Baskett singing "Zip-a-dee Doo-Dah"—and providing the voice of Brer Fox—in Song of the South.


Q  Are any episodes of CBS' On the Road With Charles Kuralt available on DVD?
—Bobby Daniel, Provo, Utah

Your wait is almost over! A boxed set of 18 episodes goes on sale Oct. 27. For 20 years, Emmy Award-winning journalist Kuralt traveled through all 50 states, beginning in 1967, wandering America's byways talking with horse traders, worm hunters, singing mailmen and sharecroppers. He and his small crew logged more than a million miles and wore out six motor homes. Kuralt once said, "There are sights in this country and people in this country to banish any gloom you ever may feel and to fill you instead with wonder." The man who noticed the ordinary and celebrated originality died in 1997 at age 62.


Q  Tell me something about Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies.
—Anne Stephens, Andrews, Texas

Osborne, 77, the primetime host and anchor of Turner Classic Movies since its inception, is also a columnist-critic for The Hollywood Reporter. A native of Colfax, Wash., he graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism and eventually went to Hollywood as an actor under contract to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It was Lucy who advised him to become a writer.


Q  I really enjoy watching Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan on Mad Men. Is it true she is dating Geoffrey Arend from Trust Me?
—Delaina Carter, Summerville, S.C.

Not only are Hendricks, 34, and Arend, 31, dating—they're engaged and plan to be married soon. Hendricks, who won't reveal the location of her nuptials, passes along only a couple of kernels of information. "It is a tiny, tiny wedding," she says. "I am wearing a gown by Carolina Herrera." And she adds that she and co-star Elisabeth Moss, 27, who also is engaged, are "helping each other with tips on florists and cakes."

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