The Daily Teaser — 28-12-2013

You know, I like a good documentary, I really do.

One thing I am thankful for, over the Christmas period … ?   Has been the fact that there’s been one or two interesting ones: including the one I’ve got playing in the background at the moment, part 2 of Ben and James vs The Arabian Desert.

Which shows us Ben Fogle and James Cracknel’s attempt to cross not Sahara: just the nastiest part of it.

The Rub’ al-Khali.   The Empty Quarter.   The part of the world we think of as ‘desert’, when we’re introduced to the concept, and the one that’s literally miles — some 50000 square miles — of sand dune.

Quite possibly the most testing part of the planet, both in terms of the environment, and the effect it’s having on the two presenters.

It’s something to watch, I know that … 

~≈†≈~

Moving on … yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting us know which Terry Pratchett novel a family member had been given, ALSO scoring ten out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 28th December, 1941, saw the start of Operation Anthropoid: the plot to kill which Nazi leader … ?

Q2) That leader was in charge of what was then called the ‘Protectorate Of Bohemia and Moravia’: which is now in which European country … ?

Q3) 28th December, 1993, saw British Customs officials seize £70 million worth of cocaine.   Cocaine they felt was linked to whom: the Mafia, the Yakuza or the Cripps … ?

Q4) 28th December, 1944, saw Maurice Richard become the first professional player to score eight points: in which US sport … ?

Q5) 28th December, 1973, saw the Endangered Species Act signed into US law: by which US President … ?

Q6) Finally … 28th December, 1895, saw Wilhelm Röntgen publish the paper describing his discovery of what kind of radiation … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th December, 1977. saw the original UK release of the first Star Wars film: what was it called … ?

A1) Originally, just Stars Wars.

Q2) What is it now called … ?

A2) Star Wars Episode iv: A New Hope.

Q3) Mark Hamill played the film’s hero: who was that hero?

A3) Luke Skywalker.

Q4) The hero and his companions end up rescuing Princess … who … ?

A4) Princess Leia.

Q5) One of those companions — Ben ‘Obi Wan’ Kenobi — was what kind of knight … ?

A5) A Jedi knight.

Q6) Who played that knight, in that original movie … ?

A6) Real world knight, Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE.

Q7) The film had two main villains: Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin.   Who played Grand Moff Tarkin … ?

A7) Peter Cushing.   (Apparently, Cushing found the boots given to him by the wardrobe department, very uncomfortable: and managed to persuade George Lucas to film him from the waist up, as much as possible, so he could wear a comfy pair of slippers.)

Q8) Darth Vader was voiced by James Earl Jones: and (physically) played by who … ?

A8) David Prowse.

Q9) Name either of the two main robot characters in the film.

A9) R2-D2 and C3-PO.

Q10) Finally … what’s the name of the space-going battle-station destroyed at the end of the film … ?

A10) The Death Star.   (The White House response to a petition to build a Death Star is still a highlight of my year …)

I’ll leave you with THIS though from a certain well known comic book publisher …

“Face front, true believer!”

Stan Lee, born 28th December, 1922.

And with this song … 

Have a good day.

*        Carpet People, Debbi … ?   Blimey, I haven’t read Carpet People in years!   (I know it was originally released in 1971, then revised and re-released in 1992.   I might have to dig it up again: after I finished everything else … !)