Banana Ray David

Something that's always confused me about the original Dickens novel: When Marley says Scrooge will be visited by three ghosts, he says the first will appear when the bell tolls one, then the second "on the next night" and the third "on the next night." That sounds like three nights in succession -- but I thought it was Christmas Eve, and they all appeared in the same night, in time for Christmas Day...? (It certainly happens that way in all the films.)

In the Pink Panther films, Inspector Clouseau is a Frenchman who speaks English badly. What happens to his accent when the films are dubbed into French?

I'm a guy with long hair and a phobia of going to the barber/hairdresser, due to social anxiety. Would it grow back okay (to normal length) if I just shaved it all off? Need to get rid of it for the summer, but am anxious whether it might grow back awkwardly or take a long time to get past the bald stage.

Please provide references.

Any more details appreciated.

I would assume that the fact of not having had a credit card (or never having had a loan, or bought anything on credit etc) would itself constitute your credit history. But my partner is a bit confused, and thinks it might mean he has *no* credit history. Which is it?

Percentage-wise, per income bracket.

McDonalds restaurant with playground, Vancouver, c1982?

So, when I was a kid (say 1982, 1983) I used to go to a McDonalds in Vancouver.

It had a playground based on all the McDonalds characters. For example, that giant purple thing was like a cage that you kinda bounced around in. I think the Hamburglar was a spiral slide. The policeman with the hamburger for the head was something you could climb up inside and look out his head.

Anyone recognize the description? Where was it? Is it still there? It could be anywhere in the general Vancouver area. We lived in Delta at the time.

So, when I was a kid (say 1982, 1983) I used to go to a McDonalds in Vancouver.

It had a playground based on all the McDonalds characters. For example, that giant purple thing was like a cage that you kinda bounced around in. I think the Hamburglar was a spiral slide. The policeman with the hamburger for the head was something you could climb up inside and look out his head.

Anyone recognize the description? Where was it? Is it still there? It could be anywhere in the general Vancouver area. We lived in Delta at the time.

Pretty sure it's black and white, 1940s sometime, and probably a detective movie. Could be Sherlock Holmes (Rathbone) or possibly Charlie Chan.

The scene I remember is set on a train, and I think the detective calls everyone back into the carriage (there's a bar or something) and has them resume their places. I think one of them remembered giving a match to the person they're looking for. Think there's a black waiter, too, though that's not all that unusual for the era.

I remember watching it on Saturday morning TV in the mid-eighties (in the UK). It was probably a US movie.

It was about a family with at least one older son.

It was probably a bit futuristic or sci-fi, as I remember troopers in some sort of jets or flying vehicles or spaceships. The best comparison I can come up with is that the troopers were a bit like Darth Vader's men in Star Wars (the ones in grey).

I'm pretty sure the oldest son joins them at one stage, like he's recruited or something.

Any ideas...?

Maria von Trapp from the Sound of Music?

Make a cogent argument if you can.

Are there any websites for public art covering the whole of the UK? I'm thinking of a site that provides maps, background info, pictures etc. Aimed at tourists/visitors etc, not artists.

Take your pick. Max Schreck, Bela Lugosi, John Carradine, Christopher Lee, Jack Palance, Frank Langella, Klaus Kinski, Gary Oldman, Marc Warren... and many others. Who was the best of all time?

And (perhaps a separate question) which is the best Dracula movie?

Anyone else find it kinda cute when someone asks for help identifying an "old movie", and when they get the answer you find out that by "old" they mean pre-2000?

Can I remain a faithful church-going Anglican and continue practising the Christian faith quite sincerely, and yet be an antisupernaturalist? A skeptic? An atheist (to all intents and purposes)?

(Thoughtful answers only. Zealots need not apply.)

I have a Valentine's date with a very sensitive, feminine girl. I thought we might watch a movie. I have a few to choose from. Which do you think would be most appropriate? I'm really stuck on this one.

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Hostel: Part II

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Love Actually

I run an arts festival. The opening night will most likely be several community groups (bands, orchestras, choirs etc) performing a fairly mixed programme of several different styles.

Rather than call it "Community Concert", what would be a good, imaginative name to give the event? Something that reflects the broad range and creativity of the evening?

Could be a movie that cheers you up, or one that just lets you kinda wallow in your sadness.