Ask Mr. Know It All

Q. Can you please tell me what happened to Alisan Porter, the actress who played Curly Sue in the movie of the same name?

V.A., Bonita Springs, Fla.

A. “Curly Sue” was released in 1991 and starred Jim Belushi, Alisan Porter, Kelly Lynch, Steve Carell and Fred Thompson.

Alisan Porter was born in Worcester, Mass., on June 20, 1981. She’s been singing and performing since age 3, and at 5, she became the youngest person ever to win “Star Search.” She’s appeared on several TV shows and films; she’s also had major roles on Broadway.

In March 2012, she married her longtime boyfriend; they have one son. The family lives in Los Angeles, where Porter is pursuing a career in music and writes a regular column for a dance magazine, Movmnt.

Q. What happened to Clark Gable’s son, who was born after Gable’s death?

F.C., Normandy, Tenn.

A. John Clark Gable was a celebrity while still in his mother’s womb. When he was born on March 20, 1961, his father had been dead for four months, the victim of heart failure.

John Gable has been described as a gangling and ruggedly handsome. In 1990, he appeared in his first film, “Bad Jim.” He has been in a few other movies over the years, and he is filming “Sunset at Dawn” now. John Gable inherited $400,000 from his father’s estate, which is equivalent to more than $3 million today.

Q. In the fall of 1943, former child star Jackie Cooper enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in a program that developed U.S. Navy officers. He was later dismissed and was sent to Great Lakes, Ill., as a regular enlistee. What happened?

J.W.J., Charles City, Iowa

A. Cooper enrolled in the U.S. Naval training at the University of Notre Dame, but he flunked out after a delinquency trial. He faced charges of contributing to the delinquency of a 15-year-old girl during a drinking party July 22, 1944. The trial began Sept. 29, 1944, and lasted several days.

Cooper was not charged with any sexual improprieties, but he was accused of supplying a bottle of whiskey. The then-21-year-old Cooper was acquitted. By early November 1944, Cooper had flunked out at Notre Dame — due to missing so many classes — and was assigned to the Great Lakes naval training center.

Cooper, an Oscar nominee at age 9, died May 3, 2011, at age 88.

Q. Is there a place called Kangaroo Island? I looked at Australia in my World Atlas, but I could not find it.

F.R., Sarasota, Fla.

A. Yes, indeed, there is a Kangaroo Island; it’s about 70 miles southwest of Adelaide, in South Australia. The island is 96 miles long and covers a little more than 1,700 square miles. The island has a year-round population of 4,500, but thousands of tourists flock there each year to enjoy the spectacular beauty, conservation parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as the fine food and excellent wine. According to the visitor guide, there are 30 wineries on the island.

Q. In the early 1960s, a Japanese-language single was a big hit in the U.S. What can you tell me about the song and the singer?

L.B., Peoria, Ill.

A. Kyu Sakamoto (1941-1985) was a Japanese singer and actor, best known outside of Japan for his international hit song “Sukiyaki.” You are right: The song was sung in Japanese, and it sold more than 13 million copies.

Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 in 1985. Minutes after departing Tokyo International Airport, the plane suffered mechanical failure and crashed into a mountainous area, killing all 15 crew members and 505 (out of 509) passengers.

Q. When someone “stands pat,” he is refusing to change his opinion or belief. Where did the term originate?

G.T., Mesa, Ariz.

A. Most wordsmiths agree that the term comes from the game of poker. To “stand pat” is to play the hand you were dealt.

Q. Many years ago, I attended a party in which a woman was lavishing attention on a male guest. I overheard someone say that she was “molly-something” the guy all night. I don’t know what the word was, and I’m curious.

I.S.L., Elmira, N.Y.

A. The word is “mollycoddling.” According to Merriam-Webster, mollycoddling means to “treat [someone] with an excessive ... degree of indulgence and attention.”

Q. Is there really a pawnshop in Las Vegas run by the Harrison family?

J.E., Bonita Springs, Fla.

A. This question refers to the reality TV series “Pawn Stars,” which airs on the History Channel.

The series is filmed in Las Vegas, and it follows the daily activities at Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, a 24-hour family business opened in 1989. The fully operational store is run by Richard “Old Man” Harrison; his son, Rick Harrison; Rick’s son, Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison; and Corey’s childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell.

Q. Who is the pretty redheaded girl in the Wendy’s commercials? Is this the same girl who plays Reba McEntire’s daughter, June, on “Malibu Country”?

C.R., Dover, Pa.

A. The name of the actress in the Wendy’s commercials is Morgan Smith Goodwin. She’s an actress/singer originally from Birmingham, Ala. She has worked mostly in New York theater.

Juliette Angelo plays June Gallagher on “Malibu Country.”

Q. Did Native Americans really use smoke signals to communicate?

S.H., La Puente, Calif.

A. They did, but Native Americans are not the only group of people who have used smoke signals to communicate. In ancient China, soldiers along the Great Wall used smoke signals to warn of danger.

The meaning of smoke signals is not as clear-cut as other forms of communication. There is no general code or standard meaning for the different shapes, numbers and type of smoke puffs. Since enemies are able to see the signals, the sender and the receiver must predetermine the code.

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

2013 Gary Clothier