Ask Mr. Know It All

By Gary Clothier

Q. I recently saw the 2011 movie “Atlas Shrugged: Part I,” based on the 1957 novel by Ayn Rand. I am anxiously awaiting Parts II and III. I hope you can give me some information as to when these sequels will be available.

W.D., Bridgewater, Mass.

A. After Part I of the planned trilogy received poor reviews — and fared equally poorly at the box office — there was some question as to whether Parts II and III would be filmed. As of now, Part II of “Atlas Shrugged” is scheduled to be released in fall 2012. Part III is scheduled for fall 2013.

DID YOU KNOW?

Christopher Plummer turned down the role of Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. He has since admitted regretting that decision.

Q. I just read that bananas were introduced to the United States at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, where they were sold wrapped in foil for 10 cents each. Is this true? I thought bananas had been around for hundreds of years.

G.L., Santa Rosa, Calif.

A. Some food historians say the banana has been around for thousands of years and predates the cultivation of rice. These bananas of yesteryear were not the sweet, yellow bananas we know today, but the red and green cooking variety now usually referred to as plantains.

The sweet, yellow banana is a mutant strain of the cooking banana that was discovered in 1836. Once tasted, it was enjoyed and quickly cultivated. According to the United Fruit Co., the banana was first imported to the United States from the Caribbean in 1870. I can only guess that the banana was introduced to a wider audience during the Philadelphia exhibition. By the way, the 10 cents charged per banana in 1876 is equivalent to $2 today.

Q. What happened to Julie Hagerty and Robert Hays of the movie “Airplane!”?

S.S., Mankato, Minn.

A. Julie Hagerty appeared as flight attendant Elaine Dickinson in the comedy classic “Airplane!” She remains active as an actor and has appeared in 70 movies and TV shows since the release of “Airplane!” in 1980. She is currently married to her second husband, whom she wed in 1999.

Robert Hays played the role of Ted Striker in the film. He has appeared in nearly 80 film and TV roles. He has since tried directing and producing. From 1990 to 1997, he was married to Cherie Currie, a member of the female rock band The Runaways.

DID YOU KNOW?

The maiden name of astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s mother was Moon. Aldrin was the second human to set foot on the moon.

Q. I watch a lot of Westerns, and the women often have stuff added on their backsides to make them look bigger. Why did they do this? Was it just a fashion style?

E.D., Cheboygan, Mich.

A. During the late 1850s and 1860s, women of fashion wore hoop skirts or crinolines that were 3 feet to 6 feet in diameter under their skirts. In addition to looking fashionable, the hoops helped keep women’s skirts from drooping. By 1870, the hoop skirt had been replaced by the bustle, which made a woman’s backside appear larger and supported the heavy dress fabric. In the late 1880s, fashion moved on and the “bustled” shape was no longer desirable.

Q. I was sitting in a coffee shop and noticed a patron who appeared to be reading. Someone came up to him and began talking; the patron appeared to ignore him. The other person touched his shoulder and asked if he was OK. The seated person seemed startled and apologized, saying something like he must have been having a “Walter Mitty moment.” They both laughed and started a conversation. Who is Walter Mitty?

F.N., Ames, Iowa

A. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a short story by James Thurber, published in 1939. Walter Mitty is a henpecked husband who, among other things, dutifully drives his wife to town to run errands and visit a hairdresser while he patiently waits. One day Mitty has five heroic daydreams in which he is a Navy pilot, a brilliant surgeon, an expert marksman and a bombardier on his way to attack a German ammunition dump. In his final fantasy, he defiantly faces a firing squad. The story was made into a stage play and, in 1947, a movie. A remake of the film, starring Ben Stiller, is planned for 2013.

Q. In my woodworking shop, I have an old Shopsmith with all the attachments. It needs new belts, and the top shelf also needs to be replaced. Where can I get replacement parts? Is Shopsmith still being made?

D.S., Toluca, Ill.

A. Shopsmith is a multipurpose woodworking tool that was introduced in 1953. The Shopsmith company currently manufactures the Mark 7, which includes a table saw, lathe, drill press, disc sander and three other tools. Call Shopsmith’s customer service staff for product maintenance and repair information at 800-762-7555.

Q. I enjoy wine, but I know very little about it. I go by the rule of thumb of serving white wine chilled and red wine at room temperature. I store my whites in a refrigerator that is set in the upper 30-degree range. My reds are on a shelf in the basement, but in the summer in my un-air-conditioned home, the temperature may be in the 90s, while in January and February, the temperature is in the upper 60s.

I’m going to order a refrigerated wine-storage unit. What is the ideal temperature to set it?

V.L., Marblehead, Mass.

A. Red wines stored at 65 degrees or higher will lose flavor and balance. When overly chilled, white wines also will lose flavor and aroma. Wide fluctuations in temperature will damage wine.

The ideal temperature for storing red wine is between 50 and 55 degrees. White wines can be stored at lower temperatures, say, 45 degrees. However, opinions differ on the proper storage temperature. I suggest you discuss this with your wine merchant.

DID YOU KNOW?

The most-nominated actress for an Academy Award is Meryl Streep, with 16 (13 for Best Actress and three for Best Supporting Actress). In second place is Katharine Hepburn, with 12 nominations.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

2012 Gary Clothier