I’D LIKE TO KNOW

QCan you please tell me if the actor Robert Wagner is related to Michael Weatherly, who plays the role of Anthony Dinozzo in “NCIS” on TV? Mrs N.T., Leeds.

AAmerican actor, producer and director Michael Weatherly is not related to Robert Wagner, who starred in many film and TV roles including “Hart To Hart”. However, you’re not the only one to think there’s a striking resemblance, as producers cast Wagner as the father of Weatherly’s character on “NCIS” and Weatherly portrayed Wagner in “The Mystery Of Natalie Wood”, the movie which explored the mysterious death of Wagner’s wife.

QMy mother had a book called “The White Flag”. I cannot remember the author, but one of the characters was a girl called Mahala and I think the story was set in America. I would love to know who the author is. Ms D.M., Plymouth.

A“The White Flag” was written by American author Gene Stratton-porter. Born in Indiana in 1863, Stratton-porter was also a nature photographer and naturalist. Many of her writings were moralistic and romantic novels and they’ve been translated into more than 20 languages, with some being adapted into films. “The White Flag” was published in 1923 and some of her other works include “A Girl Of The Limberlost” and “Her Father’s Daughter”. The books are available from Amazon, Waterstones and other good book stores.

QMy granddaughter has just bought a Mini and I’ve noticed they seem to be incredibly popular again. When did they first come out? Mrs L.C., Forfar.

AThe British Motor Corporation (BMC) brought out the Mark I Mini in 1959 – the perfect response to tackling fuel rationing which was caused by the Suez Crisis.