David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga are hoping that word of mouth does for their Nov. 7 release Miramax adaptation of "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" what it did for John Boyne's young adult novel — which has sold more than three million copies.

They know they have an uphill push to help make it so, considering the central storyline of the fable involves a friendship between a little boy in a Nazi concentration camp and a little boy on the other side of the electrified fence — who happens to be the commandant's son.

"There is a bit of a worry that if people open the paper and see there's a film set in the Holocaust, they'll think it's too grim and go see 'Pineapple Express' instead," acknowledges Thewlis, the British star known worldwide as Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter movies. Yet, he points out, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" has shown it has a power of its own through unveilings in Ireland, England, Spain and last week's Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. "Wherever we've gone, the reaction is always the same: complete silence as the credits begin to roll, not one person moves, followed by an eruption of thunderous applause."

He's quick to add, "The story is totally relevant. You could set it today with different costumes and locations — it's not particular to the Holocaust." Thewlis says he didn't hesitate to say yes to playing the commandant, a role "apparently difficult and complex immediately."

Seven-months-pregnant Farmiga, who traveled to Spain to support the movie, has her hopes up for it. "So often the films I care most about don't get seen, so being able to support this one is a pleasure," notes the "The Departed" actress, who has promo chores ahead in New York. She'll be taking maternity time off shortly.

"I'm embarking on the biggest role of my life," she notes with a smile. "Fortunately I have a great support system in my husband," she says of Deadsy keyboardist Renn Hawkey. "He's very encouraging."

SOUNDING OFF: Veteran wrestler Mick Foley has left the WWE to join TNA wrestling, but he claims it's not about having any ill will toward his previous longtime employers. "If I thought my move was going to really hurt Vince McMahon, then I may have had reservations, but I really have no doubt that competition is the best thing for WWE," says Foley of, he hopes, inspiring the WWE's chairman. "I remember when wrestling was really at its peak in the late '90s. Fans had a choice, and it spurred both companies, and it especially spurred Mr. McMahon to do his best work, but I feel like they've been coasting," he claims.

"There will always be some people who will be negative and feel like I'm jeopardizing my legacy, but for the most part fans are very enthusiastic. There were certain things they liked about what I did with the WWE, and they realized that I have not had a chance to do those things in quite a while and I probably wasn't going to get a chance to do them in the future."

As for Foley's future with TNA, he tells us fans can expect to have their questions answered on the Oct. 23 live broadcast of Spike TV's "TNA iMPACT!" wrestling series. "We're looking at this Thursday's live broadcast on Spike as kind of our big coming out party. I kind of left people with a shocking cliffhanger saying that I'll make a declaration that will shake the foundation of the wrestling world, and hopefully, we won't disappoint people," says Foley, who will also be defining his future role with the organization. "I think it will lead to a more regular on-air role, but I've also learned over the years that no role can be complete without the willingness to get in the ring once in a while."

J.O.N.A.S.N.E.W.S.: Attention, fans of The Jonas Brothers who've been anticipating the forthcoming Disney Channel series in which the It Teen Trio were to play pop stars with double lives as super spies. Here's some news. The secret agent aspect of "J.O.N.A.S.!" has been dropped. Seems that with the real brothers' vast popularity, "now it's just about the band," according to Chelsea Staub. The beautiful blonde of the Disney Channel's "Minutemen" telepic fame is currently shooting the series, playing Stella, the neighbor girl who's known Kevin, Joe and Nick so long she's the only one who doesn't go ga-ga over them — and can help them stay grounded.

HELLO, AGAIN: Jason Priestley's just completed a turn on "My Name is Earl" — in a forthcoming episode in which Joy's (Jaime Pressly's) list of past lovers is unearthed, with the most galling inclusion that of Earl's (Jason Lee's) cousin, from the well-heeled, well-educated, lucky, annoying branch of the family.

With reports by 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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