DEAR STACY: Whatever happened to Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie on "The Honeymooners"? — Eugene M., Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

DEAR EUGENE: Randolph appeared in the 2000 movie "Everything's Jake," but for the most part, her public outings these days consist of play openings, fundraisers and such. Looking chic and fit at 82, she's known to frequent Sardi's and other favorite haunts of the theatrical community. Randolph, the sole surviving "Honeymooners" star, remains involved with the U.S.O. She has a 47-year-old son, Randolph. Her husband, marketing executive Richard Lincoln Charles, died in 1997.

DEAR STACY: Is Talia Balsam of "Mad Men" related to Martin Balsam? — John S., Torrance, Calif.

DEAR JOHN: Balsam is the daughter of the late revered "Bronx Barrymore," Martin Balsam, and highly regarded actress Joyce Van Patten, the niece of Dick Van Patten, the wife of John Slattery and the former wife of George Clooney.

DEAR STACY: What is actor Steve Howey of "Reba" doing lately? — Sonya D., Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR SONYA: Howey, who played Van Montgomery on "Reba," did a Fox TV pilot about a veterinarian who doesn't like animals, titled "The Beast," last year. He has an upcoming big-screen comedy called "Still Waiting." The 30-year-old is reportedly in a relationship with former "The L Word" actress Sarah Shahi, a one-time student of acting coach Bill Howey, Steve's father.

DEAR STACY: My granddaughter was playing a "Duck Tails" tape, which made me wonder, is Alan Young still around? — Angela W., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR ANGELA: Yes. The former "Mr. Ed" star, who has lent his voice to the character of Scrooge McDuck for decades in a variety of Disney productions, including the "Duck Tails" series and "Mickey's Christmas Carol," is now 88. Married since 1948 to Virginia McCurdy, he has three children. He still does occasional appearances and voices the character of Jack Allen on the Focus on the Family audio series, "Adventures in Odyssey." He offers signed copies of his 2007 "Mr. Ed and Me and More" book, vintage posters, photos and other items on his Web site, www.mister-ed.tv.

DEAR STACY: I'm trying to find an old movie about a statue of a goddess that comes to life.

Can you help? — L.P., Austin, Texas

DEAR L.P.: You must be thinking of the 1948 "One Touch of Venus," which starred Ava Gardner as that icon of femininity. The adaptation of the S.J. Perelman-Kurt Weill-Ogden Nash musical about a shy window dresser who brings a statue of Venus to life also stars Robert Walker. Much of the music was cut from the beloved Broadway show and the film was considered a disappointment in its time. It was released on VHS, but no DVD yet.

DEAR STACY: For a change of pace, whatever became of former child star Freddie Bartholomew? I've recently seen his "Captains Courageous" and "Kidnapped" films on TV and can't help wondering how far his marvelous acting abilities took him on the big screen. Got any details? — Sarah A., Bayside, N.Y.

DEAR SARAH: Bartholomew, who was born in Dublin, was abandoned by his parents as a baby and raised in London by his aunt. After he became a hugely successful child actor who worked alongside such stars as Greta Garbo ("Anna Karenina"), Tyrone Power ("Lloyds of London") and Spencer Tracy ("Captains Courageous"), his birth mother filed suit several times, in the United States and England, attempting to get a piece of his earnings. The legal battles garnered media attention and ate up much of the fortune he had made. When he hit his teens, his popularity waned. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in WWII (during which time he broke his back in an accident), and afterward, his attempts to return to acting failed. After tumultuous years of two broken marriages and a bout of alcoholism, he finally pulled his life together again in the 1950s, married a third time and developed a behind-the-scenes career in advertising and TV producing ("As the World Turns"). He died of emphysema in 1992 at age 67.

DEAR STACY: What became of the 50s movie "Haji Baba" with John Derek? Nat King Cole sang the lyrics of "Haji Baba." — F.S.T., Long Beach, N.Y.

DEAR F.S.T.: The racy 1954 flick, with Derek as a Persian barber (!) who attempts to seduce a princess and winds up the boy toy of a group of Amazons, was released on VHS but never on DVD, and copies are said to be hard to find. It's been shown on Turner Classic Movies.

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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