ON THIS DAY
December 14, 2017
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE DECEMBER 14, 1939
THE year’s longest film — Gone With The Wind, from Margaret Mitchell’s famous novel — was previewed in Hollywood today. And for the whole three hours and 58 minutes the critics sat enthralled. Afterwards they called it ‘the greatest motion picture ever,’ and praised Britain’s Vivien Leigh (above), as the ‘perfect Scarlett’. The cost of the picture has been put at £750,000 [£45million today].
DECEMBER 14, 1955
CHRISTMAS presents from the Queen for Prince Charles and Princess Anne will be two corgi puppies. Sugar, the Queen’s own pet, is the mother. Prince Charles will own Whisky. Princess Anne, Sherry.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
YOTAM OTTOLENGHI, 49. The Israeliborn, London-based restaurateur — known for using ingredients such as za’atar and pomegranate molasses — is Prime Minister Theresa May’s favourite chef. Her number one recipe is his marinated rack of lamb with coriander and honey.
CHRIS WADDLE, 57. The former Newcastle, Spurs and Sheffield Wednesday footballer, now a TV sports pundit, was capped 62 times for England. He famously missed the decisive penalty in the World Cup 1990 semi-final shootout defeat against West Germany. He said later: ‘The manager, Bobby Robson, asked for a volunteer. Unluckily for me I put my hand up. Actually, I was the only one who volunteered, so it was really me or nobody.’
BORN ON THIS DAY
JAMES BRUCE (1730-1794). The Scottish explorer spent seven years reaching the headstream of the Blue Nile, then thought to be the source of the Nile. The expert horseman spoke 14 languages, was an avid painter and taught himself tropical medicine. He died falling down a staircase while rushing to accompany a lady to her carriage.
CHARLIE HODGE (1934-2006). The U.S. singer and guitarist was a confidant of Elvis Presley. Only 5ft 3in, he often performed standing on a crate. He sang harmony with the King on I Will Be Home Again, co-wrote You’ll Be Gone and had roles in three of his films, Clambake, Speedway and Charro!
ON DECEMBER 14 . . .
IN 1979, London Calling, by The Clash, was released — it’s ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as the eighth best album of all time. IN 2012, 27 people, including the perpetrator, were killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, U.S.
GUESS THE DEFINITION
Cantrip (coined 1719) A) Witch’s spell. B) Of a girl: forward, romping. C) Diagonally across from. Answer below.
PHRASE EXPLAINED
Ragtag and bobtail: Lower-class people. The phrase ‘rag and tag’ was common in the 16th century with rags being ‘tattered clothing’ and a bobtail a horse’s tail cut short; Samuel Pepys wrote ‘tag, rag and bobtail’ in his 1659 diary.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
FANTASY is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. Sir Terry Pratchett, English fantasy author (1948-2015)
JOKE OF THE DAY
MY FRIEND drowned in a bowl of muesli. He was pulled in by a strong currant. Guess the Definition answer: A.