The Misplaced General Knowledge Quiz: Vol. 11

Answer: Pernell Roberts

Pernell Roberts was born Pernell Elven Roberts Jr. in Waycross, Georgia, U.S.A., on May 28, 1928. He played Adam Cartwright for six seasons. He left the series in 1965. He died of pancreatic cancer in Malibu, California, U.S.A., on January 24, 2010, aged 81.

Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz in Queens, New York, New York, U.S.A., on October 31, 1936. He played Joseph "Little Joe" Cartwright for 14 seasons, when the series ended in 1973. He died of pancreatic cancer in Malibu, California, U.S.A., on July 1, 1991 aged 54.

Lorne Greene was born Lyon Himan Green in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on February 12, 1915. He played Ben Cartwright, the father of the three Cartwright sons, for 14 seasons when the series ended in 1973. He died from complications of pneumonia, following ulcer surgery, at Saint Johns' Hospital in Santa Monica, California U.S.A., on September 11 1987 aged 72.

Dan Blocker was born Bobby Dan Davis Blocker in De Kalb, Texas, U.S.A., on December 12, 1928. He played Eric "Hoss" Cartwright for 13 seasons until dying of a pulmonary embolism after a cholecystectomy operation at the Daniel Freeman hospital in Los Angeles, U.S.A., on May 13, 1972 aged 43.

The TV series "Bonanza" ran for 432 episodes, from 1959 to 1973.

Question submitted by shipyardbernie

Answer: Bern

In fact Switzerland does not have a stated capital, but, as the legislative bodies sit in Bern it has become the de-facto capital. Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, along with Basel are all major cities of Switzerland. Many international organisations are headquartered in the major Swiss cities.


Question submitted by Desimac.

Answer: 1605

Born on 13th April 1570, raised and educated in York, Guy Fawkes (also known as Guido Fawkes while fighting for the Spanish} was a leading member of a group of English Catholics involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. They failed to blow up parliament, when the pile of gunpowder was discovered. Guy Fawkes was arrested and put to death by hanging, drawing and quartering. This event is remembered every year on 5th November in UK with bonfires and fireworks.

Question submitted by esspee

Answer: William Hartnell

William Hartnell was a well respected, classically trained, English actor, best known for portraying the first Doctor. He was an acclaimed actor who appeared in the first 'Carry On' film, "Carry on Sergeant", playing the part of the sergeant. He also had a starring role in the hit series "The Army Game", a popular tv comedy series of the 1960s. Hartnell was forced to quit "Doctor Who", and acting, when his undiagnosed arteriosclerosis began to affect his ability to learn lines.

Question submitted by esspee

Answer: Nothing

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in Ohio in 1822. He attended West Point in 1839-43 and graduated as a 2nd lieutenant. Grant decided to reverse his given names and enrolled at the academy as Ulysses Hiram Grant (most probably to avoid having the acronym HUG embroidered on his clothing), somehow his congressional appointment was erroneously made in the name Ulysses S. Grant, he maintained that the middle initial stood for nothin.

During the Civil War he rose to the rank of General, commanding the Union troops. He accepted the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in Virginia in 1865. In 1869 he became the 18th US president, serving two terms, until 1877. He died in New York in 1885 at the age of 63.

Question submitted by nebwary

Answer: Road bridge

The two road tunnels, (The King's Way and The Queen's Way), the rail tunnel, (from Hamilton Square, Birkenhead to James Street, Liverpool) and the ferries (from Woodside, Birkenhead, to Liverpool and from Seacombe, Wallasey, to Liverpool), carry passengers directly into Liverpool. The odd one out is the Silver Jubilee Bridge (informally the Runcorn Bridge); it carries traffic over the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes.

Question submitted by shipyardbernie

Answer: The Mamas And The Papas

The Mamas And The Papas, originally a folk group, were known for their tight harmonies. Their foray into the pop world resulted in their number one hit "Monday Monday" which followed their massive hit, "California Dreamin'" in 1966. The song is still played on radio today. "California Dreamin'" was originally recorded by Barry McGuire with The Mamas and The Papas as backing singers.

Question submitted by esspee

Answer: Saturday Night Live

Queen performed on Sept 25, 1982, live on "Saturday Night Live (SNL)", playing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Under Pressure". Freddie Mercury had lost his voice the day before, and sang "Under Pressure" in a lower register than the original.

Question submitted by JamesFree

Answer: Pan Am

The 707 was first flown in 1954, and in October of 1958 was the first regular service on Pan Am Airways. It was a flight from New York City to Paris. It was a swept wing quadjet with podded engines and was produced in various models until 1979. Over 800 were built.

Question submitted by James Free

Answer: The Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby, also known as "The Derby", has been run annually in England since 1780.

The Kentucky Derby was first raced in 1875, the Melbourne Cup in 1861 and the Irish Derby commenced in 1866.

How The Derby got its name may have been embroidered somewhat over time. It is said that it was to be be named after either Lord Derby or a member of the Jockey Club, Sir Charles Bunbury. According to legend, the matter was settled in Derby's favour on the toss of a coin. Maybe Sir Charles just deferred to Lord Derby's rank.

Question submitted by Desimac