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Ask Mr. Know-It-All By Gary Lee Clothier
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
• Q: Norma Zimmer sang on "The Lawrence Welk Show." She also performed with Bing Crosby. When and where was she born? How many children does she have? How many grandchildren? -- R.G., Reading, Pa.
A: She was born Norma Larsen in 1923 in Idaho but grew up in Seattle, Wash. As a youngster, she sang in a church choir, and when she turned 18, she traveled to Los Angeles, Calif., to pursue a musical career. She appeared on most of the popular television variety shows and had a small role in the Bing Crosby movie "Mr. Music" (1950). In 1960, Lawrence Welk hired her, and she became the "Champagne Lady," a title she held for 22 years.
In 1944, she married Randy Zimmer, and they remained married until his death in 2008. The couple had two sons, as well as three grandchildren. Norma Zimmer died in May 2011 at age 87. Her autobiography, "Norma," was released in 1976. I have seen used copies for sale online for a penny.
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Q: I used to enjoy the TV series "Dynasty," starring Joan Collins, Linda Evans and John Forsythe. What are they doing? How old are they? How long did the show run on ABC? -- M.C., Torrance, Calif.
A: Joan Collins was born in 1933 in England. Apart from being an actress, she is an author and columnist. Her flamboyant personal life has closely paralleled the flamboyant roles she pursued. She has been married five times and was once engaged to actor Warren Beatty. She continues to work in this country and in Europe.
Linda Evans, born in 1942, is an American actress known for her roles as Audra Barkley in the TV Western "The Big Valley" (1965-1969) and Krystle Carrington on the evening soap opera "Dynasty" (1981-1989). She continues to perform on stage and TV. She is regularly listed as one of the most beautiful women in America.
John Forsythe (1918-2010) starred in three television series that spanned four decades and three genres: as single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the sitcom "Bachelor Father" (1957-1962), as the unseen millionaire Charles Townsend on the crime drama "Charlie's Angels" (1976-1981), and as patriarch Blake Carrington on "Dynasty." Forsythe died from pneumonia at age 92. His widow, Nicole, died six weeks later.
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Q: I was only a wee child, but I recall my grandmother calling sauerkraut "liberty cabbage." I never thought much about it; it was just another name. She is long gone, as are my folks. Why did she call sauerkraut by that name? -- M.L., email
A: During World War I, Americans refused to even say the word "German," as they feared doing so would appear to be unpatriotic. So sauerkraut became "liberty cabbage." Hamburgers were called "liberty sandwiches," children would get "liberty measles" instead of German measles, and frankfurters were called "liberty sausages." I'm sure there are more examples.
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Q: When was the first sporting event televised in the United States? Which teams played? Was there a sportscaster? -- H.M., Ames, Iowa
A: On May 17, 1939, baseball became the first sport ever televised in the United States. The game was between Princeton and Columbia universities at Baker Field in New York City. The National Broadcasting Co. carried the game to the 400 or so television sets then capable of receiving its broadcast signal. Yes, there was a sportscaster -- Bill Stern (1907-1971), who was an actor and radio sportscaster. By the way, Princeton won, 2-1.
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© 2011, Gary Clothier DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK
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Arnold Ahlert | ||||||||||||
