ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE
MARCH 16, 1967 SCIENTISTS have produced a new breed of non-barking dog — for medical research.
The U.S. scientists crossed four breeds to produce a well-behaved dog which would resist stress, have short hair (for skin tests) and a short, curly tail (for hygienic reasons). The result is the Lab Dog — friendly, frisky, with a short muzzle and intelligent face. MARCH 16, 1968 WHEN stars of the national Theatre break out into films they do so with a splash. Pretty soon it will be Maggie Smith’s turn.
In the film Hot Millions she has her first major part — or rather five parts. As Patty Terwilliger, she is called upon to impersonate a secretary, a bus conductress, a traffic warden, a cinema usher and a lady flautist.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JENNY ECLAIR, 58. The first woman to win the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe has also appeared on Holby City and The Bill. Eclair, who has described herself as looking like ‘a fat Margaret Thatcher’, says she enjoys getting older because ‘you can fritter your tampon money on pickles and chutneys’. BERnARDO BERTOLUCCI, 78. The Oscar-winning Italian director is best known for his 1972 film Last Tango In Paris, starring Marlon Brando. He admitted in 2013 he did not tell 19-year-old actress Maria Schneider about the use of butter in the infamous rape scene. He said he wanted her to react ‘as a girl, not as an actress’. Before her death in 2011, Schneider called the director ‘fat and sweaty and very manipulative’, telling the Mail she felt ‘a little raped’, sparking outrage and calls for Bertolucci to be stripped of his awards.
BORN ON THIS DAY
JERRY LEWIS (19262017). The U.S. star, described as ‘the ultimate 20th-century village idiot’, had a decade-long partnership with Dean Martin (pictured with Lewis), working on 17 films together. At one point he was the highestpaid film star in the world, with movies such as Cinderfella and The nutty Professor. PAT NIXON (1912-1993). The American First Lady admitted on the eve of Richard nixon’s inauguration that she had not wanted him to enter politics: ‘After all, you don’t see as much of your husband as you would like.’ She met nixon when they both auditioned for an amateur theatre production, and he proposed within hours.
ON March 16 . . .
IN 1940, James Isbister, 27, became the first World War II civilian casualty on British soil, when his Orkney home was bombed.
IN 1995, Mississippi became the final U.S. state to officially ratify the 13th amendment to the U.S. constitution abolishing slavery.
WORD WIZARDRY
GUESS THE DEFINITION: Deasil (coined 1771) A) Diagonally. B) Sideways. C) Clockwise. Answer below
PHRASE EXPLAINED
Fifth column: A group within a country working for its enemies. The phrase originated in the Spanish Civil War when a fascist general attacking Madrid said he had five columns: four encircling the city and a fifth inside working for him.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
THe green belt was a Labour idea and we are determined to build on it. John Prescott, former deputy PM
JOKE OF THE DAY
HOW did the boy feel when his torch ran out of batteries? Delighted. Guess The Definition answer: C. Compiled by ETAN SMALLMAN and ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD