Terry Gross

Film critic Stephen Schiff analyzes the reasons behind the popularity of the thriller "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle."

Writer ThulaniI (pronounced "tah-lawn-nee") Davis. Her new novel, "1959," is the story of a young black girl coming of age at the dawn of the civil rights movement. Davis' earlier works include reporting for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and writing the libretto for the opera "X: The Life and Times of Malcom X." ("1959" is published by Grove Weidenfeld.)

Actor David Mcallum. He's still known for the TV role he had back in the 60s, as secret agent Illya Kuryakin in "The Man From UNCLE." Since then, he's had dozens of stage, TV, and movie roles. Currently, he has a supporting role as a police detective in the new English movie "Hear My Song."

Writer Eddy L. Harris. Like many African Americans, Harris felt a kinship to the continent of his ancestors. He went to Africa, traveled throughout the continent, and came away feeling disillusioned and feeling that he was not an African at heart after all. He's written about his journey in the new book, "Native Stranger" (published by Simon and Schuster). Harris' earlier book was the critically acclaimed "Mississippi Solo."

Writer Nik Cohn (pronounced "cone"). Cohn walked the length of Broadway in New York City, talking with the various characters along the Great White Way. His chronicle of that experience is "The Heart of the World." (published by Knopf).

Satirist Harry Shearer. Shearer has an eclectic career: he does many of the voices on the TV series "The Simpsons," he has a weekly program on many public radio stations called "Le Show," he often has character roles in movies, and he's one of the members of the parody heavy metal rock group "Spinal Tap." This year, Spinal Tap's releasing a new album and going out on tour.

Today we look at the growing problem of inhalant abuse. More and more kids and teenagers are getting high by inhaling substances like glue, gasoline, solvents and industrial cleaners. We'll talk with Doctor Marvin Snyder, of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. We'll also speak with "Jimmy" and "Kathy," a teenager who became addicted to inhalants and his mother (they prefer to use pseudonyms).

Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Alex Chilton. He was a teenage rock star in the late 60's as the singer with the group the Box Tops. Their major hits included Cry Like a Baby and The Letter. Chilton went on to found the group Big Star. Their two albums in the early seventies, Number 1 Record and Radio City are highly acclaimed by rock fans and musicians. Chilton has continued a solo career. Last year, Rhino Records released a new compilation CD called, "19 Years: A Collection Of Alex Chilton." (Rebroadcast. Original date May 29, 1991).

Economist Robert Heilbroner (rhymes with "runner"). He'll discuss the current recession, and our long-standing obsession with the deficit. He'll also give some suggestions about how to end the recession, and he'll tell us why sometimes a deficit isn't a bad thing.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new thriller, "Final Analysis," starring Richard Gere, Kim Bassinger, and Uma Thurman.