Question: I have often wondered what happened to the old truck Jethro drove during the opening scenes of "The Beverly Hillbillies." -- L.G., West Chester, Pa.

Answer: "The Beverly Hillbillies" aired on CBS from 1962 to 1971. Despite being panned by the critics, the show was a commercial success. The series lasted more than 270 episodes.

The truck featured in the opening credits was a 1921 Oldsmobile Model 46 Roadster. Famed car customizer George Barris combined a touring car body with the back of a flatbed pickup. In 1976, the producer of the show, Paul Henning, donated the truck to the Ralph Foster Museum at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo. The college is a few miles from Branson. You can view the museum's website at

Q: Maybe you can settle a dispute. I recently watched the 1943 movie "Girl Crazy" on TV. In it, there is a scene where Mickey Rooney plays the piano with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. I watched it closely, and I think he is really playing the piece. My friend says it was dubbed in. Who wins? -- G.H., Lockport, N.Y.

A: Mickey Rooney does play the piano, and he plays it well. Rooney really played along with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in the song "Fascinatin' Rhythm."

Q: I have come across the term "bread and cir cuses" when describing an unpleasant situation several times over my many years of existence. I have no idea what the term means and how it applies to harsh times. -- C.L., Alliance, Neb.


A: The term is said to have originated in the satires of Roman poet Juvenal as "panem et circenses," so it's been around for quite some time. In this instance, "circus" refers to the games of ancient Rome, like the chariot races. "Bread and circuses" is a term that describes the things that keep people happy and divert attention from problems.

Q: A few years back, I met a couple from Austra lia who raised sheep. They had an unusual name for the animals. I knew I would never re member it, so I wrote it down. I was right, I don't remember the word, and I don't remember where I put the note. Can you help? -- I.L., Bakersfield, Calif.

A: I bet your Aussie friends used the word "jumbuck."

Q: I have a question about the 1950 film "Riding High," starring Bing Crosby, Coleen Gray, Charles Bickford, Frances Gifford and William Dema rest. Crosby was a horse trainer who fell on hard times. Out of desperation, he relies on his horse, Broadway Bill, to win a major race. I love the movie! It seems eerily fa miliar though. Was this film based on another with a similar plot? -- G.U., Spring Hill, Fla.

A: "Riding High" (1950) is a remake of the 1934 film "Broadway Bill." Frank Capra directed both films. "Broadway Bill" starred Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy. Raymond Walburn and Clarence Muse appeared in both movies.

Q: I heard part of the following quote, "Scars remind us of where we've been..." What is the rest of the quote, and who said it? -- D.L., Beaumont, Texas

A: "Scars remind us of where we've been. They don't have to dictate where we're going." The line was spoken by Special Agent David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) to agent Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) on "Criminal Minds."

Q: I am looking for a movie I watched in the late 1950s about Col. Tib bets and his aircraft, the Enola Gay. The lead actor in the film was Robert something. What is the name of this movie, and where can I get a copy? I think my kids and grand kids would like to see it. -- B.T.S., via email

A: The movie is "Above and Beyond" (1952), starring Robert Taylor as Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets and Eleanor Parker as Lucy Tibbets. The film tells the story of the pilot of the Enola Gay -- the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan -- and his wife. It is available to buy or rent at

Q: When the Shroud of Turin was put on display in Turin, Italy, an an nouncer used a term that applies to the study of the shroud. What is the term? -- J.K.M., Oswego, N.Y.

A: "Sindonology" is the formal study of the Shroud of Turin. From the Gospel of Mark 15:46: "Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb." It is this linen cloth that many believe is the Shroud of Turin, the cloth bearing the image of a crucified man. The word "sindon" is Greek and refers to a fine and costly cloth that is used to wrap dead bodies.

Q: I recently watched the movie "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." Is it the true story of Chuck Barris? Your answer will settle a debate. -- S.S.M., Sweeny, Texas

A: The film "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" (2002) is a thriller based on Chuck Barris' memoir, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography." In the book, Barris claims to have been an assassin for the CIA. Is the story true? Only Barris knows for sure.

Barris is an American songwriter, game show producer and author. His most successful venture in the music industry is "Palisades Park," a song recorded by Freddy Cannon. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in 1962. He also wrote the theme songs for the game shows he created. Among the most notable shows were "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game." Barris is probably best known for "The Gong Show," which was a spoof on talent contests. Unable to find an appropriate host for the show, Barris took over the duty. His bumbling mannerism proved perfect for the show, which quickly achieved cult status.

Q: In the days before TV, my brother and I en joyed some wonderful radio programs. Some of these were "One Man's Family," "Vic and Sade," "Easy Money" and, of course, "Fibber McGee and Molly." Are any of these available for sale? -- A.H., Eureka, Ill.

A: There is a website called Radio of Yesteryear that has all the programs you mentioned, plus many, many more. Visit to purchase CDs and MP3 downloads. If you do a Google search for "old-time radio shows," you can also find places where you can listen for free.

Q: Who played the roles of Nick and Honey in the movie "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" -- E.B., Torrance, Calif.

A: The 1966 film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as Martha and George. Nick was played by George Segal, and Sandy Dennis played Honey. Taylor and Dennis both won Oscars for their roles.

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