Dark Bilious Vapors

I swear, I never intended to make this a weekly feature, but I've got some good questions collected, so what the heck. Answers on Sunday, probably. Unless I am bogged down by work; not a chance I'll get lucky this weekend.

1) In the movie The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, where is the headquarters of defense contractor Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems? What is the significance of that location in U.S. history, and how did the movie tie historic events related to that place to the plot of the movie?

2) In 1933, Will Rogers made a memorable mistake when he was hosting the Academy Awards ("Oscars") that year, and it came time to hand out the Oscar for Best Director. What happened?

3) November 19, 1999 was a special day. Why?

4) In the movie Rocky, during a news conference prior to his match with Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa was asked by a reporter to "say something derogatory" about the champ. What did Rocky say to dis Creed?

5) It's Good Friday evening. You're at a theater. On stage, an actor delivers the line, "You sock-dologizing old mantrap!", and then there's a pause for a big laugh. What happens next?

6) What was weird about the New York Times's obituary of Bob Hope?

7) What is the deadliest animal in the United States? In the world? (i.e., what animals are responsible for the most human deaths in the U.S., and worldwide?)

8) These two master spies combined to make up 185 while remaining in control. Who are they?

9) What do Superman, Moses, and Cabbage Patch Dolls have in common?

10) Who is the proofreader in the comic strip "Dilbert"?

11) It's probably the rarest defensive play in baseball; it's only been turned 12 times in major league history, the last time on August 10, 2003 by Rafael Furcal of the Atlanta Braves in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. What is it? (For a very large amount of extra credit to be determined, describe how Furcal accomplished it.)

12) The "Razzies" are the anti-Oscars of filmdom; they exist to acknowledge the worst movies and performances of the year. Only two Razzie winners have actually shown up at the ceremony to receive their awards in person. Who are they?

13) Gary Hoy was a well-respected Toronto lawyer who died in an extremely stupid fashion. How did he shuffle off this mortal coil?

14) Given that the classic cult horror film Halloween is set in a small town in Illinois, anyone who's a car buff might notice a glaring continuity error. What might that be?

15) A well known fictional character boasts that his experience with women "extends over many nations and three continents", a fact which would surprise most of us. Who is this unlikely stud?

16) Only one actor in Mel Brooks's 1976 film, Silent Movie has a spoken line. Who? For extra credit, what is the line?

17) The opening voiceover begins: "A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist: a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law." What show are we watching?

18) One for BSTommy: Who is the largest person ever to compete in professional sports? (Hint: He also had a brief career as an actor.)

19) In 1957, Lloyd's of London would have charged you a premium of US$74 to insure you against a rather unlikely accidental death. What would have had to happen for you to have collected under this policy?

20) He was born in Scotland in the 1860s, started making money in a Montana copper mine, and ultimately his fortune would be estimated at $1 multiplijillion, 9 obsquatumatillian, 623.62. Who is he?

Len on 10.15.04 @ 09:37 PM CST