The AnswerBank Articles

Was Alma's death in Coronation Street believable

A. The Coronation Street character Alma Halliwell, played by actress Amanda Barrie, died from cervical cancer last week, only a few months after discovering she had the disease. She apparently had no00:00 Tue 26th Jun 2001

Why are film stars attracted to Scientology

A. The Church of Scientology has a huge following among Hollywood's movie stars. The devotees include John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Lisa-Marie Presley, Demi Moore and Kirstie Alley. John Travolta even00:00 Mon 25th Jun 2001

How many films has Pinewood Studios made

The studios say they have made the best part of 1,000 films as well as many TV programmes. For many cinema-goers, it is most famous for making the British classics - Bond, Doctor and Carry On00:00 Mon 25th Jun 2001

Are the Ealing comedies making a comeback

A. The studios are to have a 50 million facelift in an effort to rekindle the 'magical days' of British cinema. The studios traditionally made films featuring lovable rogues and gentle eccentrics in00:00 Mon 18th Jun 2001

Is Miami Vice still being shown

A. Miami Vice, the Eighties detective series, still has a worldwide audience through satellite and cable television in the UK and abroad. The show still has a massive following. Q. Will they00:00 Mon 18th Jun 2001

How much do soap stars earn

A. Big name soap stars can earn up to 170,000 a year. Many stars can boost their earnings with guest appearances or after-dinner speaking, and most channels pay their stars while on holiday and a00:00 Mon 18th Jun 2001

Is there a sequel to Here Comes Mr Jordan

A. There is a new film out soon called Down to Earth, a remake of the 1978 Warren Beatty film, Heaven Can Wait, which was itself a remake of 1941's Here Comes Mr Jordan. The latest version of the00:00 Mon 11th Jun 2001

What big films will be released this summer

A. Science fiction and fantasy is very much the genre of this summer's hottest new films. The big blockbusters of 2001 are tipped to be Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Lord of the Rings:00:00 Mon 11th Jun 2001

How did Angelina Jolie train for Lara Croft role

A. She endured months of training and had to put on a lot of weight for the role. In her first week, the producers banned cigarettes, alcohol and bread, and she followed a strict food regime to00:00 Mon 11th Jun 2001

Who won at the Montreux Television Festival

A. British comedian Lenny Henry beat competition from around the world to win the Golden Rose top prize at the Montreux Television Festival. The panel of international judges decided Henry's Pieces00:00 Tue 05th Jun 2001

Is it true Sean Connery got the 007 role, because he was cheap

A. According to Sir Sean, he got his big break as agent 007 in the first Bond thriller Dr No in 1962 because he cost very little. Sir Sean had appeared in Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People00:00 Tue 05th Jun 2001

Why is the film Pearl Harbour causing so much fuss

A. The $150 million Disney blockbuster, which opened in the States last week, tells the story of the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. The film, which opens in Japan in July, has00:00 Tue 05th Jun 2001

Does anyone understand Survivor

A. The new ITV programme is about 16 men and women who have been cast away on a desert island off the coast of Borneo and made to fend for themselves until one emerges triumphant from the test. The00:00 Tue 29th May 2001

What is Equity

A. The British Actors Equity Assocation (Equity) is the only trade union to represent artists from across the spectrum of artists and entertainment in the UK. It was formed in 1930 by a group of West00:00 Tue 29th May 2001

When does Big Brother 2 arrive on our screens

A. The new series goes out on Channel 4 at the end of this month. The ten new contestants will be named on Friday and the new series of the programme will be screened for 64 days. Q. Will the00:00 Tue 29th May 2001

When did Miss World start on TV

A. It was started in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations. Officially titled 'Festival Bikini Contest', it was the British press who dubbed it Miss World. It instantly attracted huge00:00 Tue 22nd May 2001

What is the Children's Film Foundation

A. The Children's Film Foundation (CFF) was created in 1951 and it enjoyed the support of the industry and government of the day. It was launched by Lord Rank and had a specific remit to make films00:00 Tue 22nd May 2001

Can Cantona act

A. The former Manchester United star most recently appeared in the 1999 film Les Enfants Du Marais (Children of the Marshland). This is the whimsical tale of two friends - Garris and Riton - living00:00 Mon 21st May 2001

Can you get Top of the Pops in the States

Q. Can you get Top of the Pops in America A. According to the BBC, producer Chris Cowey has been in negotiations with American networks for a US version of TOTP for some time. The US version would00:00 Mon 14th May 2001

When was the first commercial on British TV

Q. When was the first commercial shown on British TV A. The first British commercial was shown in 1955 and advertised Gibbs SR toothpaste. It began... it's tingling fresh, it's as fresh as ice...The00:00 Mon 14th May 2001