Ask Mr. Know It All

Q. In a grocery store museum, I recall seeing a package of Kool-Ade. Is this the same thing as the Kool-Aid that is currently available?

M.B., Bay Minette, Ala.

A. In 1914, 25-year-old Edwin Perkins started a small mail-order business called Perkins Products Company. The company sold small bottles of perfume and calling cards through magazine advertisements. By 1920, he and his wife, Kitty, were offering more than 125 products, including extracts, spices, medicines and toiletries. One of the best sellers was a 4-ounce bottle of soft drink syrup called Fruit Smack. By the mid-1920s, Perkins had the idea of turning the syrup into a powder concentrate. He named the new product Kool-Ade, but later changed it to Kool-Aid. In mid-1953, Perkins Products was taken over by General Foods.

DID YOU KNOW?

The lead role of President of the United States in the movie “Air Force One” (1997) was written with Kevin Costner in mind, but he had to turn down the role because of other commitments; the role went to Harrison Ford.

Q. A group discussion about food led to the days of TV dinners. The only thing we agreed on was that the first dinner was turkey and it was made by Swanson Co. Can you tell us when TV dinners were introduced? What else made up the dinner? Is there any way of finding out the price? The price is important to us.

B.W., Brownsville, Tenn.

A. It was in 1953 in Omaha, Neb., when the first TV dinner came off the production line. With the turkey and gravy was cornbread stuffing, buttered peas and sweet potatoes in orange and butter sauce, all packaged in a three-compartment tray. The meal sold for 98 cents at the time, equivalent to nearly $9 today.

Q. What can you tell me about actor Louis Hayward? He would have been a perfect James Bond had the movies been filmed back in the 1940s or early 1950s.

L.C., Albany, N.Y.

A. Born Louis Charles Hayward in Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 19, 1909, he was educated in England and the European continent. He appeared in the London theater and then moved across the pond to tackle Broadway and Hollywood in the mid-1930s. Hayward played both heroes and cads.

Hayward was married three times, to Ida Lupino (1938-1945), Peggy Field Morrow (1946-1950) and June Hanson (1953-1985). Hayward died in Palm Springs, Calif., on Feb. 21, 1985, of lung cancer.

Q. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together for years. Has either been married? Any kids?

G.H., Houston, Texas

A. Goldie Hawn was born Nov. 21, 1945, and was married twice, to Gus Trikonis from 1969 to 1976 and to Bill Hudson from 1976 to 1980. She’s been with Kurt Russell since 1983. She has three children, Oliver Hudson, Kate Hudson and Wyatt Russell.

Kurt Russell was born March 17, 1952, and was married to Season Hubley from 1979 to 1983, with whom he had one son, Boston Oliver Grant Russell.

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

2014 Gary Clothier