The Wombat File Is Yours to Keep

Here we go:

1. The author Diane Johnson is widely known as the author of trans-Atlantic comedies of manners such as Le Marriage, L'Affaire and Le Divorce, which was shortlisted for the 1997 National Book Award. When Le Divorce was adapted for the movies several years later, she did not join on the writing of the screenplay. However, she does have one screenplay co-writing credit -- an adaptation of a different novel, for a film released in 1980. What was the film?

2. British playwright John Osborne, the author of the famous play Look Back in Anger, won an Academy Award for his 1964 screenplay adaptation of what classic novel?

3. The formerly blacklisted screenwriter Waldo Salt won academy awards for adaptations of two novels, one by James Leo Herlihy and one by George Davis. Although they were by two different directors, they both had a male star in common. One film is considerably more well-known than the other. What were their titles?

First correct answer to all three wins two passes to the omnibus press screening for the following failed superhero movie projects: Green Lantern: His Ring Can Only Make Green Things, Power Man and Iron Fist Attempt to Mine the Last Vestiges of 70's Nostalgia, and Bat-Mite vs. Mister Mxyzptlk in the Museum of Giant Replicas. No Googling or saying Mister Mxyzpltk's name backwards. One guess at any part of any question per comment, but comment as often as you like.

Posted by BT at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

A quick one this week, a little nibblet of etymological trivia to munch on before the weekend. And, before we get started, the missing answers left over from last week: #2 is India, #5 is Armenia.

After the arrival of the American Commodore Perry in Japan in 1853, and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa, American envoys used a Japanese honorific when addressing the shogun, the military ruler who held power. This term found its way back to the U.S. and Britain --John Hay, President Lincoln's private secretary, later picked up on this and used it, humorously, in addressing Lincoln. And Sir Rutherford Alcock popularized the term in Britain by including it in the title of his memoir of service in Japan: The Capital of the [word]: A Narrative of a Three Years' Residence in Japan.

What's the word?

First correct guess posted to comments wins a rare set of Aleister Crowley bobblehead dolls, perfect for mounting on your home altar in the secret chamber in the basement. No Googling or using Enochian Magick to get the ascended spirit masters to give you the answer. One guess per comment, but comment as often as you like.

Posted by BT at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Since I was so late in posting clues/responses to guesses to Friday's multi-part geography quiz, I thought a new post was in order. To sum up:

1. We've heard about Ukraine, Slovakia, Austria...but the jury is still out on the other nations which border Hungary.
2. Still no word on the country with the biggest documented population of the Romani.
3. Thanks to Bootsy, we know about Clark. But who was "Pompey"s parent?
4. Swaziland it is! Anyone know what 2 countries are its immediate neighbors?
5. This continent-straddling nation is still a mystery to our players.

Posted by BT at 01:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Today's late-coming brain-pickler: answer as many of the following as fast you can. It's that simple.

1. Name the countries that border Hungary.
2. What country has the largest documented population of Roma (the ethnic group often known as "gypsies")
3. The U.S. National Historic Monument called "Pompey's Pillar" is a sandstone pillar. It acquired its name from the classical nickname of the son of a famous Native American -- bestowed upon him by a famous man of European descent, who also gave the rock formation its name. Who are these two famous people?
4. Name the smallest landlocked nation in Africa.
5. What country's mythological founding patriarch is described here? "Hayk was a handsome, friendly man, with curly hair, sparkling eyes, and strong arms. He was a man of giant stature, a mighty archer and fearless warrior. Hayk and his people, from the time of their forefathers Noah and Japheth, had migrated south toward the warmer lands near Babylon. In that land there ruled a wicked giant, Bel. Bel tried to impose his tyranny upon Hayk's people. But proud Hayk refused to submit to Bel. As soon as his son... was born, Hayk rose up, and led his people back to the land of his forefathers, the land of Ararat. At the foot of the mountains, he built his home, Haykashen."

Best of five wins a copy of Bender Bondage: The Best of Futurama Slash Fiction, Vol. 5. No Googling or asking Globey, the talking globe from Pee-Wee's Playhouse. One guess at each part per comment, but comment as often as you like.

Posted by BT at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Tomorrow you'll no doubt be celebrating your independence from many things, including your tiresome obligations to our little quasi-weekly natterings. With that in mind, here's a damp sparkler to wave in the mental gloom of a Thursday afternoon…

The website of a musician well-known in the 1960s contains a lengthy "tribute" to the life of an even more well-known figure from history, containing biography, chronology of accomplishments, and illustrations. In the explanation for his interest, the musician writes:

In the summer of 1981 I attended a weekend seminar on the problems of Vietnam veterans. The event was sponsored by the Berkeley Veterans Assistance Center and took place in the City of Berkeley Veterans Memorial in the civic center. It was a lightly attended event but featured movers and shakers in the veterans movement who would soon change just about everything for the better. One speaker was a Vietnam War nurse named Lynda Van Devanter, who was the first Vietnam War nurse to "come out" and speak for women in the military. As a member of the audience I was stunned at the realization that I was also guilty of ignoring women in the military in my writings.

Who is the musician? Who is the figure that this event moved him to research?

First correct answer wins a Bear Force One (warning, YouTube link, which may not be precisely appropriate for work, although there's nothing really graphic in it) 2008 World Tour pastel polo shirt. No Googling or calling up Lynda Van Devanter. One guess per comment, but comment as often as you like.

Posted by BT at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)