Ask Mr. Know It All

Q. I have fond memories of my childhood. I remember more than once my grandmamma made something that we ate with molasses and a spice, maybe cinnamon, for breakfast. My memory tells me it looked like yogurt, but I’m not sure. Both my grandparents are long gone, as are my parents. Do you have any idea what it was that I enjoyed?

T.U., Iowa City, Iowa

A. I talked to several culinary experts, and they seem to think you may have had bonny clabber. It’s easy to make: Leave raw milk on the counter until the milk solids separate from the whey, leaving a thick, yogurtlike consistency.

Q. How many peanuts are there in a pound of peanut M&Ms?

G.H., Stowe, Vt.

A. Mars Inc. tells me there are, on average, 192 candies per pound, which should mean 192 peanuts.

Q. How long were Abbott and Costello a comedy team?

L.R., Madison, Wis.

A. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello teamed up in 1935. Their first radio appearance was on “The Kate Smith Hour” in 1938, where they performed their most famous routine, “Who’s On First?” After that, they were on a rocket ride to stardom, destined to become one of Hollywood’s most successful comedy teams. In 1957, after 20 years together, they dissolved their partnership. It was an amicable split. William “Bud” Abbott was 60 and wanted a break from the limelight. Lou Costello hoped to explore other areas. Two years later, Costello had a heart attack and died at age 52. Abbott died of cancer in 1974 at age 78.

Q. Did the person who started Weight Watchers need to lose weight?

S.P., Salisbury, Md.

A. In 1961, Jean Nidetch weighed more than 200 pounds. She found a diet she liked and invited her overweight friends to her apartment in Queens, N.Y., to meet and support one another in losing weight. Nidetch never thought of it as a business, but two participants — Felice and Al Lippert — convinced her otherwise. In 1963, Weight Watchers became an incorporated business and had its first meeting. By the time Nidetch and the Lipperts sold the company to H.J. Heinz Co. in 1978, it fetched about $71 million. As for Nidetch, a year after starting her meetings, she lost 70 pounds. She lives in a retirement home in Florida.

Q. “Have Gun —Will Travel” was my favorite old TV show. The main character, Paladin, used a calling card with a chess knight on it along with the slogan. What was the significance of the knight?

L.O.S., Tyler, Texas

A. The symbol of the chess knight refers to the hero’s name, Paladin. I turned to the dictionary for a description: Paladin is defined as “1. Any of the 12 legendary peers or knightly champions in attendance of Charlemagne. 2. Any knightly or heroic champion. 3. A determined advocate or defender of a cause.” I believe Nos. 2 and 3 appropriately describe Paladin’s missions. An avid chess player, he often compared himself to the playing piece.

“Have Gun — Will Travel” was an American Western series starring Richard Boone that aired from 1957 to 1963. In the early days of TV, it was common for a show to have its origin in radio, but this series was an exception — it was one of the few TV shows to spawn a successful radio version. The radio series debuted Nov. 23, 1958.

Q. What can you tell me about Gracie Allen? I heard a story about her teaming up with the wrong person for a performance. Can you explain that?

W.E.Z., Flagstaff, Ariz.

A. Most sources say that Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen was born July 26, 1895, in San Francisco, though the exact year of her birth remains a mystery: All public records were destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. Allen made her stage debut with her father, an entertainer, at age 3. She dropped out of school at 14 to join the family on stage. In time, she became dissatisfied and quit the entertainment field.

In 1922, while in secretarial school, Allen visited backstage at the Union Theater in Union Hill, N.J. She’d learned that the comedy group of George Burns and William Lorraine was going to break up and Lorraine would need a partner. Allen confused the two men and approached Burns about forming a team. After three days, Burns confessed his identity, but Allen still wanted to give the new group a chance. They opened at the Hill Street Theater in Newark, N.J. Burns realized Allen was a natural comedienne; he rewrote sketches to give her the witty lines. They wed Jan. 7, 1926, in Cleveland. The duo brought top vaudeville billing and moved to radio, TV and movies. Allen retired in 1958, and died of a heart attack Aug. 27, 1964.

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