Master's brain sits here ready to spew movie data

Eagan, Minn.

Dear Last Stop For Gas,

I am having a hard time with your words "exhausted all efforts."

What am I, chopped liver?

I have yet to understand why the world runs amok like a chicken with its head cut off while little ole me and my quite substantial brain sit right here ready, willing and able to provide all the details any subsequently grateful person might require.

Because I am who I am, Marilyn, and you are who you are (which is an individual who can't recall all the facts regarding "Schindler's List"), I will relate to you more information than you or your statistic keeper or even your whole office need know. It will require exhaustive efforts to digest. But in all this data will be the answer to balm your chafe.

In 1993, "Schindler's List" had its first premiere at the Cineplex Odeon theater on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington on Nov. 30. Among the attendees: President Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

The following day —- as in Dec. 1 —- the film was screened at the Coronet and Baronet Cinemas on Third Avenue in New York. (Note: The theater has since been demolished but people also referred to it not only as the Baronet and Coronet, but the Coronet I and II).

On Dec. 9, 1993, the film was screened at the Cineplex Odeon in Century City, Calif.

On Dec. 15, the film opened in 15 cities. In New York, it played initially at the Cineplex Odeon Regency Cinema on Broadway and 67th, at the Cineplex Odeon First & 62nd Cinemas and at Cineplex Odeon Chelsea Cinemas on 23rd Street. The first showing at all three theaters was simultaneously at noon.

ALAN

P.S. You get a "Incredible Hulk" cap and a "Sex and the City" pouch.

Dear Mr. Smithee,

In the late 1940s or maybe '50s, I saw a movie in which a young woman was living in an old mansion haunted by two ghosts, one always accompanied by the fragrance of mimosa. I don't know the movie's name or the actress, but she was very good at being terrified. It might have been Joan Fontaine.

I would love to be able to see it again.

DOT BUCKINGHAM

Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Dear It Wasn't Joan Fontaine,

You have good taste in ghost movies.

The film is 1944's "The Uninvited" with Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey and Gail Russell. It was a psychological horror film involving death, hauntings, an impressive mansion and the distinct aroma of mimosa.

If you liked "Uninvited" —- and I suspect you will again —- you would probably enjoy these great movies: "The Haunting" (1963) with Julie Harris, "The Innocents" (1961) with Deborah Kerr, "Lady in White" (1988) with Lukas Haas and "The Old Dark House" (1932) with Boris Karloff and Gloria Stuart.

I am a big fan of "The Blair Witch Project" (1999), though many who don't know better despise it.

And if you are feeling especially open to the bizarre, check out Lars von Trier's full TV miniseries "The Kingdom" (1994). Good stuff.

ALAN

P.S. You get a "Young@Heart" T-shirt and a "Kung Fu Panda" plush toy.

Dear Mr. Smithee,

I say "Napolean Dynamite" (the character) is basically a ripoff of Kevin ("Feelin' 7-Up!") from "Repo Man." What do you think?

I respect your opinion, unless it differs on "Repo Man," then you are wrong.

PATRICK MILLER

Marietta

Dear It's Too Late,

Society made me what I am. It made you you, too. Truth is, my friend, nothing in this world is unique. There's a lattice o' coincidence that lays on top o' everything.

I'm not even the first to say that.

ALAN

P.S. You get a "Wall-E" T-shirt and "What Happens in Vegas" coasters.

Answer man Alan Smithee resolves all sorts of reader movie questions every Friday in Movies & More. Is there really an Alan Smithee? That's one he won't answer. But he does allow that it's a name used for crediting purposes when directors want to disassociate themselves from a movie that, well, stinks.

Have a question for Mr. Smithee? E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can't reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.

For previous Ask Alan Smithee columns, go to accessAtlanta.com and click on movies.