Have questions - will answer

By Gary Clothier

Question:"Have Gun -- Will Travel" was my favorite old TV show. The main character, Paladin, used a calling card with a chess knight on it along with the slogan. What was the significance of the knight?

L.O.S., Tyler, Texas

Answer: The symbol of the chess knight refers to the hero's name, Paladin. I turned to the dictionary for a description: Paladin is defined as "1. Any of the 12 legendary peers or knightly champions in attendance of Charlemagne. 2. Any knightly or heroic champion. 3. A determined advocate or defender of a cause." I believe Nos. 2 and 3 appropriately describe Paladin's missions. An avid chess player, he often compared himself to the playing piece.

"Have Gun -- Will Travel" was an American Western series starring Richard Boone that aired from 1957 to 1963. In the early days of television, it was common for a show to have its origin in radio, but this series was an exception -- it was one of the few television shows to spawn a successful radio version. The radio series debuted Nov. 23, 1958.

Question: When was the movie "G.I. Blues" released?

T.T., Orwigsburg, Pa.

Answer: "G.I. Blues" was Elvis Presley's first movie following his Army stint. It was released Aug. 18, 1960, and received "warm" reviews.

Question: I looked up the word "harbinger"; I knew the meaning of the word, but I was curious about its origin. I was surprised that it's from Old Saxon, meaning "lodging." What's the connection?

P.N.J., Columbus, Ohio

Answer: You are right, the word's root has little connection to its current meaning. In the 12th century, the word meant someone who provided lodging as an innkeeper. At some point in the following century, the term took on a new meaning, referring to someone who was sent ahead to seek lodging for others. In the 1500s, its usage changed once again to its current meaning of a premonition of upcoming events.

Question: What can you tell me about Gracie Allen? Where and when was she born? I once heard a story about her teaming up with the wrong person for a performance. Can you explain that for me?

W.E.Z., Flagstaff, Ariz.

Answer: Most sources say that Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen was born July 26, 1895, in San Francisco, though the exact year of her birth remains a mystery: All public records were destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. Allen made her stage debut with her father, a local entertainer, at age 3. She dropped out of school at 14 to join the family on stage. In time, she became dissatisfied with her stage career and quit the entertainment field.

In 1922, while in secretarial school, Allen visited backstage at the Union Theater in Union Hill, N.J. She had learned that the comedy group of George Burns and William Lorraine was going to break up and Lorraine would need another partner. Gracie confused the two men and approached Burns about forming a team. After three days, Burns confessed his identity, but Gracie still wanted to give the new group a chance. They opened at the Hill Street Theater in Newark, N.J. Burns quickly realized his partner was a natural comedienne; he rewrote their sketches to give her the witty lines. After three years traveling together, they married on Jan. 7, 1926, in Cleveland. The duo brought top vaudeville billing and later moved to radio, television and movies. Allen retired from show business in 1958. She died of a heart attack in her sleep on Aug. 27, 1964.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.