Irving Berlin wrote the music for which of these holiday classics? …Irving Berlin created the music for the 1954 classic “White Christmas,” including the titular song, which was first used in a different holiday movie, 1942’s “Holiday Inn.” Coincidentally, Bing Crosby sang the tune in both films. Not one for false modesty, Berlin reportedly claimed, … Read more
What future star played Rusty in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”? …Before Leonard on “The Big Bang Theory,” and before David on “Roseanne,” there was Rusty. Johnny Galecki was a child actor doing regional work in Chicago when he sent in his audition tape for 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” He had never even been to … Read more
In “Miracle on 34th Street,” what government agency helps exonerate Santa? …When a Macy’s Santa claims to be the real Kris Kringle, he faces a court hearing to determine whether he should be locked away. Just when all hope seems lost, a dozen or so postal workers arrive at the courthouse with several large bags … Read more
In “A Christmas Story,” what does Ralphie hope to get for Christmas? …Despite everyone’s warnings that “he’ll shoot his eye out,” the only thing Ralphie from 1983’s “A Christmas Story” wants under his tree is an “official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle,” with “a compass in the stock and this thing which … Read more
What actor played the Grinch in the 2000 live-action film? …Jim Carrey played the Grinch in the 2000 blockbuster “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The actor was sold on the role after listening to a tape of a children’s choir singing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” It took Carrey more than eight hours each … Read more
Both serving in the 20th century, what is the only last name shared by a U.S. President and UK Prime Minister? While he may not be well-known on this side of the pond, Harold Wilson was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1964 to 1970 and again … Read more
Both serving in the 20th century, what is the only last name shared by a U.S. President and UK Prime Minister? …While he may not be well-known on this side of the pond, Harold Wilson was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1964 to 1970 and again … Read more
Which NFL star changed his last name to his jersey number in Spanish? …In 2008, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson changed his name to “Chad Ochocinco” as a play on his jersey number, 85. (Eighty-five in Spanish is actually “ochenta y cinco.”) “It’s something I don’t think anyone has ever done before,” Johnson … Read more
Which team’s college football stadium holds a record 107,601 fans? …Appropriately nicknamed “the Big House,” the University of Michigan’s stadium in Ann Arbor can pack in 107,601 fans, making it the largest sports venue in the United States. In fact, America’s top 10 largest stadiums are all home to college football teams. The largest NFL … Read more
Who was the first Olympic gymnast to achieve a perfect 10? …In 1976, 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci became the first Olympic gymnast to score a perfect 10. Her 30-second routine on the uneven bars was so unexpectedly flawless that it broke the scoreboard, which was only capable of showing “1.00” instead of “10.0.” Comăneci … Read more