The Boatniks & The American Treasure Tour - 8/21

Adorning a wall above a row of Nickelodeons in our Music Room is a row of original movie posters, including the one for the 1970 Walt Disney Productions film The Boatniks (below):

Any movie that stars the inimitable Phil Silvers as the ringleader for a group of jewel thieves promises to be a silly experience.  Norman Fell (Mr. Roper from the popular tv show "Three's Company") is one of the gang of hoodlums led by Silvers, while a cast of classic comedians from the 1960s and 70s appears that includes Wally Cox (Underdog), Al Lewis, (Grandpa on The Munsters), and Stephanie Powers (Hart to Hart).  The Boatniks tells the story of a young Coast Guard ensign who struggles in the shadow of his war-hero father, while he tries to woo the pretty owner of a sailing school.  The appearance of the jewel thieves only complicates the situation.

Don Ameche stars in The Boatniks as Commander Taylor.  What popular comedy did he star in as a rich Philadelphian who placed a bet that he could transform, pygmalian-like, a beggar who accosted him for money into a city sophisticate?

a)  Cocoon

b)  Harry and the Hendersons

c)  Coming to America

d)  Heaven Can Wait

e)  Trading Places

Answer Below.

Today in History.

It was on this day in 1888 that the first United States patent was awarded to an inventor for an adding machine.  The patent request was submitted by William Seward Burroughs.  He was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his invention.

August 21, 2013 marks the 54th anniversary of Hawaiian statehood.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the executive order making this official on this day in 1959.

Today's Birthdays

American jazz great Count Basie was born today in the year 1904.  He was one of the finest and best-regarded bandleaders of the 1930s and remained in the limelight for almost fifty years.  He passed away in April, 1984.

One year to the day after Count Basie was born, Friz Freleng entered the world.  If his name is unfamiliar to you, hopefully his art is not.  He introduced such characters as Bug Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird and Yosemite Sam to the world as one of the most prolific directors of Warner Brothers animated shorts.  He won four Academy Awards during his career and has made countless people laugh over the years.

Today's Quote:

Don't take life too seriously.  You'll never get out alive. -- Bugs Bunny

Answer:  e)