Steamboat Willie

These questions all relate to today’s date, December 5th.

Walt Disney’s business envelope featured a self-portrait, c. 1921.
Image Wikipedia

One

Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, this visionary American producer created a global entertainment empire that truly began with a mouse. What was that mouse originally going to be called?
A. Maxwell Mouse
B. Meredith Mouse
C. Mortimer Mouse


Two

Which pope issued the 1484 papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus, condemning witchcraft and empowering inquisitors in Germany?
A. Pope Alexander VI
B. Pope Julius II
C. Pope Innocent VIII


Three

Which modern television series featured the Great Smog of London as the central focus of a Season 1 episode, portraying the political and social impact of the 1952 crisis?
A. Downton Abbey
B. The Crown
C. Call the Midwife


Four

Born in Vienna, which director known for visually striking films such as Metropolis and M became one of the major figures in early cinema?
A. F.W. Murnau
B. Sergei Eisenstein
C. Fritz Lang


Five

On December 5, 2006, which military commander declared himself acting president of Fiji after leading a coup?
A. Sitiveni Rabuka
B. Frank Bainimarama
C. Epeli Nailatikau

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Hatches, Matches and Despatches Part Deux—Answers

Apocalypse Now. See question 3.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Today’s questions focus on individuals born, married or deceased on December 3rd.

One

Which heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 and known for pioneering the genre, featured Ozzy Osbourne as its original lead vocalist?

Answer: Black Sabbath

Ozzy Osbourne was born this day in 1948. Black Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled debut album is often cited as one of the first true heavy-metal records, in part because its tritone-based title track was considered unusually dark and ominous for its time.


Two

Which pioneering psychoanalyst, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became one of the founders of child psychoanalysis?

Answer: Anna Freud

During World War II, Anna Freud co-founded the Hampstead War Nurseries in London, providing care for bomb-displaced children and shaping her influential theories on child development. She was born in Vienna, Austria, on this day in 1895.


Three

Which Polish-born British novelist wrote Heart of Darkness, the novella that later inspired the 1979 film Apocalypse Now?

Answer: Joseph Conrad

Conrad did not speak fluent English until his twenties, yet became one of the language’s most celebrated stylists. He was born on this day in 1857.


Johann Sebastian Bach.
Image Wikipedia

Four

Which Baroque composer, known for works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, married Anna Magdalena Wilcken on 3 December 1721?

Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Anna Magdalena herself was an accomplished singer, and Bach compiled two Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach, collections of keyboard pieces for her to study and perform.


Five

Which co-founder of the Jesuit order, famed for missionary work in India, Japan and Southeast Asia, died off the coast of China in 1552?

Answer: St. Francis Xavier

Xavier’s extensive travels—over 60,000 miles by ship—made him one of the most widely travelled religious figures of the 16th century.

Hatches, Matches and Despatches Part Deux

Apocalypse Now. See question 3.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Today’s questions focus on individuals born, married or deceased on December 3rd.

One

Which heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 and known for pioneering the genre, featured Ozzy Osbourne as its original lead vocalist?


Two

Which pioneering psychoanalyst, daughter of Sigmund Freud, became one of the founders of child psychoanalysis?


Three

Which Polish-born British novelist wrote Heart of Darkness, the novella that later inspired the 1979 film Apocalypse Now?


Four

Which Baroque composer, known for works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, married Anna Magdalena Wilcken on 3 December 1721?


Five

Which co-founder of the Jesuit order, famed for missionary work in India, Japan and Southeast Asia, died off the coast of China in 1552?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

76 Totters Lane—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.

All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.

One

At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.

The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?

Answer: Doctor Who

The very first episode was An Unearthly Child—Susan Foreman, played by Carole Ann Ford, being the title character. Doctor Who, a British science fiction television series, follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-travelling Time Lord from Gallifrey who regenerates into different forms. The Doctor travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling various evils including the Daleks. Originally airing from 1963 to 1989, the show was revived in 2005 and has featured multiple actors in the title role, with the most recent being Ncuti Gatwa. Doctor Who is a significant part of British popular culture and has influenced generations of television professionals.

The post title 76 Totters Lane is spoken by Barbara Wright in this episode, and is the address of the junkyard where they find Susan and her grandfather in the TARDIS.


Two

What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?

Answer: Party in the U.S.A.

Despite the famous lyric, Miley later revealed she wasn’t actually listening to Jay-Z at the time—the line was written by the songwriters Jessie J, Dr. Luke, and Claude Kelly before she recorded it.


Three

In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?

Answer: Antarctica and Ellsworth Land

In 1935, explorer Lincoln Ellsworth landed in Antarctica during his transcontinental flight, raised the U.S. flag, and claimed the territory between about 80°W and 120°W, naming it Ellsworth Land. The U.S. government never formalised this claim, and later overlapping national claims were suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.


Four

Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?

Answer: The BFG; Roald Dahl

The BFG, a 1982 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, has sold 37 million copies and inspired adaptations including a 1989 animated film and a 2016 Disney live-action film.


Five

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?

Answer: Georgian Orthodox Church

Georgia’s dominant religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. Its roots stretch back to the 1st and 4th centuries AD, and it is currently led by Patriarch Ilia II. The main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, which was built between 1995 and 2004.


76 Totters Lane

All of the questions relate to today’s date, November 23rd.

One

At Coal Hill School, teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright have concerns about pupil Susan Foreman, who has an alien outlook on England.

The above quote from the Wikipedia article’s ‘Plot’ section describes the opening episode of which contemporary television series first aired on 23 November 1963?


Two

What 2009 hit single by Miley Cyrus includes the lyric ‘And a Jay-Z song was on’?


Three

In 1935, an American explorer landed at about 79° S, 102° W. He raised the U.S. flag and ‘claimed’ the land between roughly 80° W and 120° W for the United States. On what continent did this occur, and what is this area of land known as today?


Four

Which 1982 novel features characters called The Maidmasher, The Manhugger and The Meatdripper? Secondly, who wrote it?


Five

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in its country, was consecrated in 2004. It is the main cathedral of which autonomous church?

Good luck! As usual the answers will be posted later.

2025-10-29 Bridge to Somewhere—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.

The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1.
Image Wikipedia

One

The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?

Answer: Shannon Airport, Republic of Ireland and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The European route E20 is part of the United Nations International E-road network and runs roughly west-east through Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and finally Russia. The road is not continuous and, at three points, a ferry must be used to continue along its length; although at one of those there is no ferry! The Øresund Bridge, which is known for featuring in the Nordic noir television series The Bridge, carries European Route E20.


Two

A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?

Answer: St Elsewhere

St. Elsewhere, a medical drama series, aired on NBC from 1982 to 1988. Although it never ranked higher than 47th in Nielsen ratings, it gained a loyal following and critical acclaim, winning 13 Emmy Awards. Set at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston, the show was known for its realistic portrayal of the medical profession and featured a large ensemble cast. It tackled contemporary issues like breast cancer, AIDS, and addiction, while also incorporating humour and inside jokes.


Three

In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?

Answer: Bleak House

Bleak House, a Dickens novel, satirises the legal system through the long-running case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The novel, partly narrated by Esther Summerson, is set in London and is credited with introducing urban fog to Gothic literature.


Four

The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?

Answer: Copper (smelted copper)

The Chalcolithic, or Copper Age, was a period characterised by the increasing use of smelted copper, following the Neolithic (latter part of the Stone Age) and preceding the Bronze Age. It occurred at different times in different regions, with the earliest evidence of copper smelting dating back to around 5,000 BC in Serbia. In Britain, the Chalcolithic was a short period between 2,500 and 2,200 BC, marked by the arrival of Beaker culture people and the introduction of copper and gold objects.


Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III in the Sistine Chapel, October 2025.
Image thedialog.org

Five

In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?

Answer: King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV

The reigning British monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, currently King Charles III. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American pope. King Charles and Pope Leo met at the Vatican to pray together in the Sistine Chapel. It was the first occasion that the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the Pope had prayed together since the reformation 500 years ago.

Bridge to Somewhere

Today we have five unrelated and unconnected questions.

The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1.
Image Wikipedia

One

The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?

Two

A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?

Three

In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?

Four

The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?

Five

In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Connections—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Marlene Dietrich, The Blue Angel. See question two.
Image Wikipedia

One

A rock group’s first album, which was self-titled, was released in 1964 while their latest Hackney Diamonds was released in 2023. Which group is this?

Answer: Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in 1962, are one of the most influential bands of the rock era. Known for their gritty, rhythmically driven sound, they pioneered hard rock and were at the forefront of the British Invasion. With over 250 million album sales, they have won four Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.


Two

Who played Lola Lola in 1930’s film The Blue Angel?

Answer: Marlene Dietrich

The Blue Angel (1930) is a German musical comedy-drama film directed by Josef von Sternberg, starring Marlene Dietrich. It is based on Heinrich Mann’s novel and follows a professor’s transformation into a cabaret clown.


Three

What is the one word name used for the prestigious institution, part of a larger university, which Marie Curie attended for her studies in physics and mathematics, and where she became the first woman professor?

Answer: Sorbonne

Marie Curie studied at the Sorbonne, which is part of the University of Paris. She earned her degrees in physics and mathematics there and later became the first woman professor at the Sorbonne — National Geographic


Four

What, since February 2025, is the hereditary title of Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis?

Answer: Aga Khan

The Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the spiritual leader and Imam of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shias, a branch of Islam.  Currently, the 50th hereditary Imam is Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini. He succeeded his father in February 2025 and oversees development and humanitarian work.


Five

Founded by the Greeks in the first millennium BCE, this city is now Italy’s third-largest as well as Campania’s regional capital.  Please name it?Question

Answer: Naples

Naples, the regional capital of Campania, is Italy’s third-largest city and a significant cultural centre. Founded by Greeks in the first millennium BCE, it has a rich history, having served as the capital of various kingdoms. Today, it is a major economic hub with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre and numerous cultural sites nearby.

Peter Sarstedt Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?
Image chordify.net

Six

What connects the five answers above?

Answers: (The song) Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?

Peter Sarstedt’s 1966 hit Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)? features all five of these answers in its lyrics.  The song tells the story of Marie-Claire, a girl who rose from poverty in Naples to become a jet-setter. It achieved chart success in the UK, Ireland, Australia,  New Zealand and South Africa, reaching number one in all of them. In the US, it peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and 36 on Canada’s RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The lyrics are shown below.

Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)

by Peter Sarstedt

You talk like Marlene Dietrich
And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire
Your clothes are all made by Balmain
And there’s diamonds and pearls in your hair, yes there are

You live in a fancy apartment
Off the Boulevard St. Michel
Where you keep your Rolling Stones records
And a friend of Sacha Distel, yes you do

But where do you go to my lovely
When you’re alone in your bed?
Tell me the thoughts that surround you
I want to look inside your head, yes I do

I’ve seen all your qualifications
You got from the Sorbonne
And the painting you stole from Picasso
Your loveliness goes on and on, yes it does

When you go on your summer vacation
You go to Juan-les-Pins
With your carefully designed topless swimsuit
You get an even suntan on your back, and on your legs

And when the snow falls you’re found in St. Moritz
With the others of the jet set
And you sip your Napoleon brandy
But you never get your lips wet, no you don’t

But where do you go to my lovely
When you’re alone in your bed?
Won’t you tell me the thoughts that surround you?
I want to look inside your head, yes I do

You’re in between twenty and thirty
That’s a very desirable age
Your body is firm and inviting
But you live on a glittering stage, yes you do, yes you do

Your name is heard in high places
You know the Aga Khan
He sent you a race horse for Christmas
And you keep it just for fun, for a laugh, ha-ha-ha

They say that when you get married
It’ll be to a millionaire
But they don’t realize where you came from
And I wonder if they really care, or give a damn

But where do you go to my lovely
When you’re alone in your bed?
Tell me the thoughts that surround you
I want to look inside your head, yes I do

I remember the back streets of Naples:
Two children begging in rags
Both touched with a burning ambition
To shake off their lowly-born tags, they tried

So look into my face, Marie-Claire
And remember just who you are
Then go and forget me forever
But I know you still bear the scar, deep inside

I know where you go to my lovely
When you’re alone in your bed
I know the thoughts that surround you
‘Cause I can look inside your head

Genius


Connections

His Highness Prince Rahim al-Hussaini. See question 4.
Image Wikipedia

One

A rock group’s first album, which was self-titled, was released in 1964 while their latest Hackney Diamonds was released in 2023. Which group is this?

Two

Who played Lola Lola in 1930’s film The Blue Angel?

Three

What is the one word name used for the prestigious institution, part of a larger university, which Marie Curie attended for her studies in physics and mathematics, and where she became the first woman professor?

Four

What, since February 2025, is the hereditary title of Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailis?

Five

Founded by the Greeks in the first millennium BCE, this city is now Italy’s third-largest as well as Campania’s regional capital.  Please name it?

Six

What connects the five answers to the above questions?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Shrouded in Mystery—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.

Nero.
Image Wikipedia

One

Is it true or false that in 1988 the Archbishop of Turin announced that carbon-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin placed its date in the first century CE?

Answer: False

He admitted the shroud’s origins date back to the Middle Ages. The Shroud of Turin, traditionally believed to be Jesus’ burial cloth, was radiocarbon dated in 1988 to the period 1260–1390 CE This contradicts its traditional association with Jesus’ crucifixion. While some question the reliability of the 1988 test, no expert has deemed it substantially unreliable.


Two

The 1972 Andes flight carrying the Old Christians Rugby Club became international news when it was revealed that the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to survive. Is it true or false that the flight originated from Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Answer: False

They were flying from Montevideo, Uruguay to Santiago, Chile. Old Christians Club, a Uruguayan sports club from Montevideo, is known for its rugby union team. The club also has football and field hockey branches. Forty rugby club members and five crew members were on board a plane that crashed in the Argentinean Andes. They endured an avalanche and weeks of starvation, resorting to eating the frozen bodies of the deceased. Sixteen survivors were rescued after two trekked across the mountains to seek help.


Three

Is it true of false that in 54 CE the Roman emperor Claudius died from poisoning and was succeeded by his son Caligula, rather than his son with Messalina?

Answer: False

He was succeeded by his adoptive son Nero rather than Britannicus, his son with Messalina. Ancient historians believe Claudius was poisoned, likely by his wife Agrippina, to secure Nero’s succession. However, some argue he died from illness or old age, citing his poor health and the lack of evidence against his taster Halotus.


Four

Is this statement true or false: In 2010, 33 miners were rescued from South America’s Patagonian Desert after spending a 69 days underground.

Answer: False

It was the Atacama Desert in Chile. The 2010 Copiapó mining accident trapped 33 miners 700 metres underground for a record 69 days after a cave-in at the San José mine in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The rescue operation, involving multiple countries and organisations, successfully brought the miners to the surface. The mine’s owner, San Esteban Mining Company, had a history of safety violations and negligence.


Margaret Thatcher.
Image Wikipedia

Five

Margaret Thatcher, who was born today in 1925 was the British Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990. Is it true or false that she was Member of Parliament for the constituency of Finchley for more than 32 years?

Answer: True

She became the MP for Finchley on 8 October 1959 and held the position until her retirement in the spring of 1992. Thatcher was Europe’s first female prime minister and the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century, also the only one to secure three consecutive terms.