What movie duo was known by the nicknames “The Singing Capon” and “The Iron Butterfly”?
Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald were known by the nicknames “The Singing Capon” and “The Iron Butterfly”.
How many sites did the United Nations occupy before moving to its present location?
The United Nations occupied four sites, three of them in New York. The first regular session of the General Assembly was held in October 1945 at Central Hall in London. The United Nations then moved to Hunter College in the Bronx, before establishing interim headquarters at Lake Success on Long Island in August 1946. The…
What country has the most physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and dentists?
There are more physicians in the USSR than anywhere else. The United States holds top honors for psychiatrists, psychologists, and dentists.
What is the name of the title character in The Monk?
Father Ambrosio, of Madrid is the name of the title character in The Monk. He kills two women who turn out to be his mother, Elvira, and his sister, Antonia, in the 1795 novel by Matthew Lewis. Father Ambrosio, of Madrid. He kills two women who turn out to be his mother, Elvira, and his…
In what movie did Japanese star Toshiro Mifune play Sinbad?
Japanese star Toshiro Mifune played Sinbad in The Lost World of Sinbad (1963).
What was the first American city to be admitted to the National Hockey League?
Boston was the first American city to be admitted to the National Hockey League, in 1924. The Boston Bruins won their first Stanley Cup Championship in 1929 and have won it five times since then (1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 1990).
What was the first TV sitcom?
The first situation comedy on television was a live show called “Mary Kay and Johnny” (1947-50, Dumont). Forerunner to I Love Lucy, the live show concerned the adventurous life of New York newlyweds Johnny and Mary Kay Stearns. The couple’s real-life newborn son was worked into the show in 1948.
Is there anything in astronomy that might explain the Star of Bethlehem?
No comets, novae, or supernovae are recorded for 6 B.C., the estimated year of Christ’s birth. But there was one odd celestial event that stargazing Wise Men might have observed and thought to be the Star of Bethlehem. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn came close together in a small triangle, as they do once every 805…
What product did Marilyn Chambers advertise before she starred in Behind the Green Door (1972)?
Marilyn Chambers’ face was featured on a box of Ivory Snow, before she starred in Behind the Green Door (1972).
Who won the first battle of the War of Independence?
The Massachusetts militiamen won the Battle of Lexington and Concord when they forced the British to retreat from Concord back to Boston. This was the first battle of the War of Independence The British were trying to confiscate colonial arms from a depot at Concord. The battle, which took place on the night of April…
After all his narrow escapes, what finally caused Harry Houdini’s death?
Acute appendicitis overcame the former Erich Weiss known as Harry Houdini on October 31, 1926, Halloween. He was 52 years old.
How many parolees commit crimes while on parole?
A 1979 New York study revealed that only 3.4 percent of state parolees were returned to prison for committing new crimes. 8.5 percent were returned for parole violations. Thirty percent of ex-prisoners, however, were sent back to prison within five years of their release.
What is the most widely cultivated plant?
Wheat, the food base of Western civilization, is by far the most widely grown plant. It has been cultivated for more than 7,000 years in every continent except Antarctica.
How long did “Howdy Doody” run?
The television series Howdy Doody ran from 1947 to 1960.
Who was the voice of Mr. Ed?
Rocky Lane, a cowboy movie hero whose films included: King of the Mounties, Red Gulch Renegades, and Silver City Kid. On at least one occasion, George Burns also supplied Mr. Ed’s voice.
What classical writer told the story of Jason and the Argonauts?
The most complete treatment is the Argonautica by third-century poet Apollonius of Rhodes.
How did the Brooklyn Dodgers get their name?
Dodgers was an abbreviation for trolley dodgers. The term developed during the early to mid-twentieth century, when trolley cars were common sights in urban areas such as Brooklyn. To be a trolley dodger meant that you were able to slip through traffic. The players on the field needed the same kind of agility.
Who was first associated with the term “dollar diplomacy”?
The practice of using economic means to achieve foreign policy goals is known as “dollar diplomacy”. It was first associated with President William Howard Taft (served 1909-13) and his Secretary of State Philander C. Knox.
How many times did William Powell play Florenz Ziegfeld?
William Powell played Florenz Ziegfeld twice: in The Great Ziegfeld (1936), and in Ziegfeld Follies (1945).
What was the first Mark Goodson-Bill Todman TV game show production?
“Winner Take All” (CBS, 1948-51, NBC, 1952) was the first Mark Goodson-Bill Todman TV game show production. Other Goodson-Todman hits have included “Beat the Clock,” “I’ve Got a Secret,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Password,” “The Match Game,” and “What’s My Line.”
What was Operation Torch in World War II?
Operation Torch was the Allied invasion of French North Africa beginning on November 8, 1942. Assault troops, almost all American, captured Morocco and Algiers with mostly British naval support.
How many geographic locations have been named for Queen Victoria?
There are eight geographic locations that have been named after Queen Victoria: Victoria, Australia. The smallest, most densely populated state in Australia. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The largest city on Vancouver Island. Victoria Falls. On the Zambezi River at the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Victoria Island. A large island in the Arctic Ocean off…
Who played Maya Angelou in the TV movie based on her memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (CBS, 1979)?
Constance Good played Maya Angelou in the TV movie based on her memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (CBS, 1979).
What is a montage?
A montage is the assembling together of images in a film, usually in quick succession, often dissolving into one another. It can be used to convey action and the passage of time, newspaper headlines and theater marquees flying by as a dancer rises to stardom, or, as in the work of Sergei Eisenstein, to evoke…
What is the most common species of domesticated bird?
The most common species of domesticated bird is the chicken. There are thought to be 3.5 billion chickens in the world, nearly one for every human.
When were Jim Henson and the Muppets regulars on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 1975)?
Jim Henson and the Muppets were regulars on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 1975) in 1975-76.
What nationality was explorer John Cabot?
Explorer John Cabot was Italian. Born Giovanni Caboto in Genoa, Italy (c. 1450), he sailed under the English flag. He appears to have reached Newfoundland in 1497, a year before Columbus reached the American mainland. Cabot was lost at sea in 1498.
In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies (1954), who is the sadistic leader of the hunters?
Jack was the sadistic leader of the hunters in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Who is the overweight bespectacled boy? Piggy.
Who founded Hasidism?
The Jewish spiritual movement was founded by Israel ben Eliezer, now better known as the Ba’al Shem Tov (Master of the Good Name). He was a healer and holy man who lived in the Ukraine (c. 1700-1760).
What is the name of the title character in The Alchemist?
Subtle is the name of the shady character in the 1610 play The Alchemist by Ben Jonson. He works with two other unsavory characters, Face (a.k.a. Jeremy) and Dol Common.
When was the moving electric sign installed around the New York Times building in Times Square?
The electric sign on 1 Times Square at 42nd Street in New York that displays headlines was installed in 1928. At that time, the building housed offices of the New York Times and was known as the Times Tower. It is now owned by several general and limited partners and runs headlines from New York…
In what year was each U.S. state admitted to the Union?
The 50 U.S. states, with their dates of admission to the Union, are listed below. The original 13 states are marked with an asterisk. Alabama-1819 Montana-1889 Alaska-1959 Nebraska-1867 Arizona-1912 Nevada-1864 Arkansas-1836 New Hampshire-1788* California-1850 New Jersey-1787* Colorado-1876 New Mexico-1912 Connecticut-1788* New York-1788* Delaware-1787* North Carolina-1789* Florida-1845 North Dakota-1889 Georgia-1788* Ohio-1803 Hawaii-1959 Oklahoma-1907 Idaho-1890 Oregon-1859 Illinois-1818…
When was the first public opinion poll taken?
To assess voters’ preferences in the 1824 presidential election, citizens were asked whom they preferred. This was the first public opinion poll. The results, published in the Harrisburg Pennsylvanian on July 24, 1824, gave Andrew Jackson a commanding lead over John Quincy Adams and all others. However, Adams won the election.
Which movie has made more money, E.T. or Star Wars?
Directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982) is the all-time money-making champ at $228.6 million. Star Wars (1977), directed by George Lucas, is in second place at $193.5 million. Either individually or together, Spielberg and Lucas have helped create seven of the top ten money-making movies.
When did the military practice of camouflage come into more general use?
Use of camouflage became standard practice in World War I. This was when airplanes were used to reconnoiter enemy encampments and to direct artillery fire. Armies found it necessary to camouflage uniforms, helmets, and equipment with the colors of leaves and brush.
When were the 10 lost tribes of Israel lost?
The kingdom of Israel, formed in 930 B.C. by 10 of the original 12 Hebrew tribes, was conquered by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. Those 10 tribes were exiled and assimilated into other nations, and so vanished from history. The other two tribes, founders of the separate kingdom of Judah, lived on.
In The Apartment (1960), what does the “C. C.” in C. C. Baxter stand for?
C. C. stands for Calvin Clifford in the 1960 film The Apartment. The character was played by Jack Lemmon.
What football teams constitute the Big Ten?
The football conference that became the Big Ten, or the Western Conference, was formed in 1896 by the Universities of Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, along with Northwestern and Purdue universities. Iowa and Indiana joined in 1899 and Ohio State in 1912. The University of Chicago dropped out in 1946 after terminating its football…
What was the year that put the Ides of March on the calendar?
It was in 44 B.C. that Julius Caesar was assassinated. The date was March 15, the Ides of March.
How much of the earth’s surface is permanently frozen?
About 20 percent of the earth is under permafrost. This means it has had a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for over two years. In Siberia, some sections of land are frozen to depths of 5,000 feet.
What is a scrivener?
A scrivener is a copier of legal documents.
In what movie did Audrey Hepburn play a cigarette girl?
Audrey Hepburn played a cigarette girl in Laughter in Paradise (UK, 1951), starring Alastair Sim and Fay Compton.
What became of Sue Lyon after her debut as the title character in Lolita (1962)?
Born in 1946 in Davenport, Iowa, Sue Lyon appeared from time to time in films such as The Night of the Iguana (1964), The Flim-Flam Man (1967), Tony Rome (1967), Evel Knievel (1971), and Alligator (1980). She was fifteen when she played Lolita, who is twelve in the book.
Who developed the Abacus?
The abacus was probably invented by the Babylonians. It was refined and used by the Romans, Chinese, Arabs, Europeans, and Asians as late as the seventeenth century. It is still used, in various forms, in the Middle East and Japan.
Was Queen Victoria related to King George III of England?
Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901, was the grand daughter of the King George III, who lost the American colonies. This makes Elizabeth II, Queen of England since 1952, George’s great-great-great-great grand daughter.
In what year was the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed?
The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice. The first Temple was razed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The second was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70.
What is the difference between a boat and a ship?
The U.S. Navy defines a boat as “a vessel that can be hauled aboard a ship.” In ordinary usage, however, large vessels are often called boats as well as ships.
Where do we get angora wool?
Angora wool does not come from sheep. Angora is harvested from a domesticated rabbit of the same name. The wool is white, black, blue, or fawn. The rabbits are sheared every three months; each one yields about 12 ounces of wool annually. These rabbits first appeared in the eighteenth century in France.
Who is older, Hume Cronyn or Jessica Tandy?
Jessica Tandy is older than Hume Cronyn, by two years. Cronyn was born in 1911, Tandy in 1909.
Who was the first golfer to win the prestigious grand slam?
Bobby Jones has achieved the feat of winning the grand slam. He did so as an amateur, before the present-day tournament requirements were instituted. He won the British Amateur tournament in Scotland on May 31, 1930. Next, on June 20, 1930, he won the British Open in Holyoke, England, with a four-round total of 291….
Who wrote “Shoot, if you must, this old gray head”?
John Greenleaf Whittier describes the bravery of the fictional title character in his poem “Barbara Frietchie” (1863) who said, “Shoot, if you must, this old gray head”. The aged Frietchie displays a Union flag when Confederate troops march by. Stonewall Jackson forbids his troops to harm the old woman.
Were Homer’s works ever banned?
Yes. Roman emperor Caligula banned Homer’s works during his reign (37-41 A.D.) because they were said to promote unhealthy ideas about Greek freedom.
What play was President Abraham Lincoln watching at Ford’s Theater when he was assassinated?
Abraham Lincoln was watching Our American Cousin, by Tom Taylor, on the evening of April 14, 1865. It was during this play when John Wilkes Booth entered Lincoln’s private box and fired his one-shot derringer. Lincoln’s bodyguard had stepped away for a drink of water.
What is the full name of the Academy that gives out the Academy Awards and when was it founded?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a nonprofit organization for the advancement of the film art and industry that gives out the Academy Awards. It was founded in 1927. Membership is by invitation only.
When was the Ark of the Covenant last seen?
The wooden chest that contained God’s laws as presented to Moses was taken on its last trip to Jerusalem by King David. Eventually King Solomon put it in the Temple. It disappeared when the Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C.
Who provided the voice for Rocky the Flying Squirrel on “The Bullwinkle Show” (ABC, NBC, 1959-1963)?
Voice expert June Foray provided the voice for Rocky the Flying Squirrel on “The Bullwinkle Show”. He also provided the voices on the show for Dudley Do-Right’s girlfriend Nell, and for others.
What was the name of the cab company on the TV series “Taxi” (ABC, 1978-83)?
The the cab company on the TV series “Taxi” (ABC, 1978-83) was called The Sunshine Taxi Company, in New York City.
How many plays did Aeschylus write?
Aeschylus, the “father of Greek tragedy” (525-456 B.c.) wrote some 90 plays, but only 7 have survived. They are: The Suppliants The Oresteia The Persians Seven Against Thebes Prometheus Bound Agamemnon The Libation Bearers
What is the highest natural elevation in the New York metropolitan area?
Todt Hill, on Staten Island, at 426 feet is the highest natural elevation in the New York metropolitan area. In fact, it is the highest point on the eastern seaboard south of Maine. Cadillac Mountain in Maine is the highest point on the eastern seaboard.
What work was the basis for the play and movie On the Town (1949)?
The story of three sailors in On the Town (1949) on a twenty-four-hour leave in New York City was based on the ballet Fancy Free by Jerome Robbins. The movie starred Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin.
From what movie did rock group Duran Duran get its name?
Rock group Duran Duran got its name from the science fiction movie Barbarella (1968). Duran Duran (the Concierge) was a character played by Milo O’Shea. The rock group Fine Young Cannibals got their name from the movie soap opera All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960), directed by Michael Anderson and starring Robert Wagner and Natalie…
In what Alexander Pope poem is reference made to “damning with faint praise”?
In the “Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot” (1735), reference is made to “damning with faint praise”. In the satiric poem, Alexander Pope wrote: “Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,/And, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer.”
What is the original use of the word Chaos in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology, Chaos was the primal void that gave birth to Gaea (Earth), Tartarus (Infernal Regions), Eros (Love), Erebus (Darkness), and Nyx (Night).
What is the national origin of most Hispanics in the U.S.?
Of the 22.4 million Hispanic-Americans counted in the 1990 census, more than 60 percent (13.5 million) are of Mexican heritage. Another 2.7 million are Puerto Rican, 1 million are Cuban, and the rest are “other.” All together, Hispanics, who can be of any race, account for 9 percent of the U.S. population.
When was the Comics Code Authority introduced?
The comic book industry began to regulate itself with the Comics Code Authority in 1954. Among other rules, it required that “Policemen, judges, government officials and respected institutions shall never be presented in such a way as to create disrespect for established authority,” and “In every instance good shall triumph over evil and the criminal…
How many stars, arrows, olive leaves, and olives are there in the Great Seal of the United States?
There are 13 stars, arrows, olive leaves, and olives in the Great Seal of the United States, symbolizing the original 13 colonies. The design of the seal was approved by Congress in 1782. As seen on the back of the dollar bill, the seal consists of an eagle holding olives and arrows in its talons,…
Was there an actual Professor Henry Higgins, main character in George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion (1913)?
The character Professor Henry Higgins in George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion was based on a British scholar of phonetics and Old English named Henry Sweet. His works included History of English Sounds (1874).
What was the average amount of time served by an indentured servant for their passage to America?
The average time the 17th- and 18th-century peasants and laborers spent to pay off the debt incurred by their passage to America (about $100) was four years.
How long was Walter Cronkite anchor of the “CBS Evening News”?
Walter Cronkite, anchor of the “CBS Evening News” could be heard intoning “And that’s the way it is . . .” from April 16, 1962, to March 6, 1981.
Who were the three Graces in Greek Mythology?
Daughters of Zeus, they were Greek goddesses of fertility, later associated with beauty and love, Aglaia (Brightness), Euphrosyne (Joyfulness), and Thalia (Bloom). Their collective name, Graces (they were also known as Chorites), referred to the gracious or pleasing appearance of fertile gardens and fields.
How old is Hanukkah and what does it mean?
Hanukkah was first celebrated in 165 B.C. The word Hanukkah means Rededication. It refers to the cleansing and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after defeating their Syrian-Greek oppressors.
Did Typhoid Mary really exist?
Yes, Typhoid Mary’s name was Mary Mallon (1870-1938). She was an institutional and household cook who spread the disease from house to house in the New York City area in the early twentieth century.
Who are the top three leading NFL touchdown scorers?
As of 1991, the top three leading NFL touchdown scorers are: Jim Brown-126 touchdowns Walter Payton-125 touchdowns John Riggins-116 touchdowns
How much did the U.S. government give Lewis and Clark for their expedition?
In 1803, the U.S. Congress granted Lewis and Clark $2,500 for an expedition to explore the territory west of the Mississippi River. Selected by President Thomas Jefferson to lead the group of 50 people were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Starting out from St. Louis, Missouri, the expedition crossed the Rockies and reached the Pacific…
Who played the title doctor in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)?
Werner Krauss played the title doctor in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919). Conrad Veidt played Cesare, the somnambulist controlled by Dr. Caligari.
How many stars can you see on a clear night?
At any given time on a clear night in a dark place with no obstructions on the horizon, 2,500 stars are visible to the naked eye.
How many muscles does it take to smile and to frown?
Smiling is easier on the face than frowning. It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.
For how long was Mike Ditka the coach of the Chicago Bears?
Mike Ditka was the coach of the Chicago Bears for 11 seasons. He took over as coach in 1982 and was relieved of his position in January 1993, at the close of the 1992 season. He led the Bears to victory in the 1986 Super Bowl.
When were cost-of-living raises first worked into union contracts?
Cost-of-living raises, based on the U.S. cost-of-living index, were first negotiated into General Motors-United Auto Workers Union contracts in 1948.
What percentage of the U.S. population aged 25 and over has completed high school?
In 1989, 76.9 percent of the U.S. population aged 25 and over has completed high school. Only 21.1 percent has completed college.
What was the first Fu Manchu movie made as a sound feature?
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu (1929), starring Warner Oland, was the first Fu Manchu movie made as a sound feature.
What two horror directors appear in The Silence of the Lambs (1991)?
Directors Roger Corman and George A. Romero appear in The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Jonathan Demme directed them.
What was the first American cookbook?
The first American cookbook was the 1796 collection American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, whose pen name was “An American Orphan.” Four editions of the book appeared between 1796 and 1808.
Who played the married butler and cook for millionaire David Wayne in “The Good Life” (NBC, 1971-72)?
Larry Hagman and Donna Mills, future stars of “Dallas” (CBS, 1978-91) and “Knots Landing” (CBS, 1979) played the married butler and cook for millionaire David Wayne in “The Good Life” (NBC, 1971-72).
What Stephen King work is the basis for Stand by Me (1986)?
The Body, a novella was the inspiration for the movie Stand by Me.
How many American lives were lost in World War II?
In World War II, over three times as many Americans died: 405,399, including 291,557 in battle and 113,842 from other causes. An additional 670,846 Americans received nonlethal wounds.
What movie first featured the line, “Do you mind if I slip into something more comfortable?”
Jean Harlow said “Do you mind if I slip into something more comfortable?” in Hell’s Angels (1930).
Where does the United States rank in population?
In 1989, the United States was the fourth most populous country. The top five ran as follows: 1. China. 1.104 billion 2. India. 835 million 3. USSR. 289 million 4. United States. 248.8 million 5. Indonesia. 184.6 million
Who wrote Tom Brown’s School Days (1857)?
Thomas Hughes, English jurist wrote Tom Brown’s School Days. The book for boys tells of young Tom Brown’s adventures at Rugby. Hughes also wrote a sequel, Tom Brown at Oxford (1861).
What are the names of River Phoenix’s siblings?
River Phoenix’s brother is named Leaf; his sisters are Summer, Rainbow, and Liberty. All are actors.