ASK MR. KNOW-IT-ALL Whatever happened to Burns and Allen’s children?
by Gary Clothier
Q: I’m watching reruns of “Emergency!” When the station is called, particulars of the emergency are given and the radio caller says “KMG-365” when he is finished. It’s never been explained as far as I know. What is KMG-365?
J.N.L., Saratoga, Fla.
A: KMG-365 is the Federal Communications Commission station license number for the base radio. It is similar to call letters used by radio and TV stations, as well as HAM operators, which must be announced as per FCC regulations. The call sign is real, and it is used by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Did you know? Before Danny DeVito became an actor, he was a qualified hairdresser.
Q: Whatever happened to Ronnie Burns, the son of George Burns and Gracie Allen? Didn’t they have a daughter, too?
B.N.L., Palmdale, Calif.
A: Ronald “Ronnie” Jon Burns (1935-2007) was born in Evanston, Ill., and adopted by George and Gracie when he was 2 months old. When he was 17, he joined his parents on the “The Burns & Allen Show” from 1950 to 1958. After Gracie Allen retired, Ronnie appeared on “The George Burns Show” with his father. He dabbled in a few projects before retiring from the industry. He got into real estate, and in later years, he raised horses.
Sandra Jean Burns (1934-2010) worked briefly with her adoptive parents before deciding to leave acting and raise a family. She was twice married and had four children.
Q: In a fashion magazine, there was an individual wearing thick-soled shoes; the caption called them “brothel creepers.” Why that name?
S.G., Beaverton, Ore.
A: The shoes were inspired by the crepe rubber-soled desert boots worn by North African soldiers in World War II. Because of the intense heat of the sand, thicker soles helped protect their feet. The name “brothel creepers” does not make sense to me. Sources say they were so named because of the soldiers who found themselves in unsavory parts of a city. If that’s the case, I’m sure glad they were not wearing Oxfords. Creepers were popular in the 1950s and are now making a comeback with various subcultures.
Q: My grandmother used to call a ball of yarn a “clue.” I tried to look it up several times with no luck. Did she just make it up for some reason?
H.M.K., Bay City, Mich.
A: No, she did not make it up — you just misspelled “clew.” According to the dictionary, a clew is “a ball of yarn, thread or cord.” The word comes to us from Middle English. Clew can also be used as a nautical term applied to the lower corner of a square sail.
Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.