Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2011 May 30

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May 30

old fantasy movie i saw on betamax

greetings. i would like to inquire if anyone could recall this movie. the protagonist is an adolesent dwarf, who took care of a baby, and with him are his dwarf companions. i think a dwarf named 'blubber tuck'(?) was one of them, a bald adult dwarf. humans are also seen in the film. thanks for any help. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.1.67.147 (talk) 02:47, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Maybe Willow (film)? Incidentally, the entire film was up in little pieces on YouTube. To avoid tedious WP:ELNEVER arguments I'll avoid linking to it directly; besides, that is unnecessary if you can use a search bar. I won't pretend to evaluate the odds that that is a licensed distribution... Wnt (talk) 03:22, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Yes, this is it, thank you very much. i just want to read this story on wikipedia but i didnt know the title. thanks gain. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.1.67.147 (talk) 04:30, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

FYI, the bald guy was Burglekutt. Staecker (talk) 23:06, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Networks' past projects

Sometime in the 1980's, ABC had these public service announcements. One was for Don't Do Drugs. One was for Don't Drink and Drive. One was for Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS). Meanwhile, CBS had this literacy project called Read More About It. The project had referals to books after the closing credits of certain television specials, mini-series and television movies. In the early 1990's, ABC had these public service announcements. One was for Children First. One was for Never Stop Learning. I'm interested in more information about all of the past projects I've mentioned. Where can I find the information? Anyone know?24.90.204.234 (talk) 04:09, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

The networks all have websites for the PSAs; ABC's is A Better Community, NBC's is The More You Know, and CBS's is CBS Cares. I assume the ones you mention are all part of the same series, but if not, hopefully this is somewhere to start. Adam Bishop (talk) 11:40, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I already know about A Better Community, The More You Know, and CBS Cares. The ones I've mentioned are older. The ones you've mentioned are more recent. Additionally, in 1986, as the Statue of Liberty was bound to celebrate its centennial, CBS had this project called An American Portrait. It profiled Americans who've impacted many people's lives. They included sports figures, entertainers, etc. In 1988, as America was bound to elect a new President, CBS had this project called A Presidential Portrait. The concept was similar to An American Portrait. I'm also interested in more information about those other two projects.24.90.204.234 (talk) 20:45, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

If it is of any interest, GI Joe always ended with "now I know and knowing is half the battle." I don't think that was from the studio. I think it was from the GI Joe show itself. -- kainaw™ 12:37, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

That was endorsed by the National Child Safety Council. Anyway, what does that have to do with the projects I'm trying to find more information about?24.90.204.234 (talk) 17:52, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Identify the music in this commercial

Is it something familiar? Or was it composed just for the commercial? Thanks, Oh, well (talk) 09:58, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

You can email Coca-Cola here to ask them. Nanonic (talk) 12:50, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

The main melody is similar to Coca-Cola's current musical jingle, so the music is probably proprietary (that is, written for the commercial). --McDoobAU93 21:17, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Patton (Movie)

First a thank you today to those that have served. About 18m into the movie, Patton rolls into II Corps HQ on a halftrack. He is standing up front holding onto a Ma Deuce. On the front fenders is a flag with 2 stars on the right, and a sign with WTF on the left. As the scene progresses it is obvious that he feels that no one in the outfit knows what they are supposed to be doing. So my questions: Does WTF refer to its common usage today? and Was this common knowledge at the release of the film ('70) or during WWII? 70.177.189.205 (talk) 16:48, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

WHAG here but the letters "TF" in a military setting generally refer to "task force". --TammyMoet (talk) 17:37, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

WTF lists Western Task Force. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:20, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Freshwater boating in the U.S.

Hey all. I recently acquired a used ski boat, and have been enjoying it putting around near my home and watching the sunsets with my wife. But now I am comfortable with driving the boat, and I'd like to do more things. My main concern is understanding right-of-way on the water, as well as correctly navigating channels by the channel-markers. Are the rules for this pretty much universal, and, if so, is there a good, easy to understand, resource someone could point me to? I am getting conflicting information from various "seasoned" boaters regarding my questions. For instance, I was told that you should always yield to a boat that has someone (or something) under two. A skier, for instance. I've also been told to stay to the right of the channel markers. But then someone tells me the exact opposite, or gives conflicting advice. Websites seem to conflict one another as well. I have a very good understanding of right-of-way and yielding laws when driving...but with a boat there are so many more variables. Plus, boats don't have the luxury of brakes :) Thanks! Quinn ^{❀ BEAUTIFUL DAY} 23:22, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

It's possible that the "rules of the road" vary by state. In all likelihood your state's Department of Natural Resources (or equivalent) will have a website and/or pamphlet describing how to operate boats on state waterways. (e.g. Minnesota ("Land of 10,000 Lakes") is here - your state probably has something similar.) These tend to be less extensive than (road) motor vehicle laws, and "don't be a jerk" tends to summarize most of them. Regarding yielding to boats with skiers under tow, even if not required that's a good rule to follow, as if the boat has to slow down/turn suddenly the skier may be thrown or loose hydroplaning (on the flip side, the person towing the skier shouldn't be a jerk and should keep clear of other boats' paths). Likewise with yielding to/slowing to no-wake speeds around non-motorized boats. I believe that which side of the channel markers you pass on depends on which side of the channel they're marking. -- 140.142.20.229 (talk) 23:44, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I strongly suggest a boating class, either through the state or through United States Power Squadrons [1]. The basics are simple (in fact, some laws apply equally to boats and cars) but it is simple, too, to get in over your head. Great Lakes, oceans, powerful rivers, commercial traffic, locks and dams, all require extra attention, caution and preparation. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 01:36, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

You should definately get your local laws and take any class availible locally, or contact the agency which has jurisdiction over the waterways you will be using; they would LOVE to have you knowing how to operate the boat in their waterways. IIRC, from my youth boating around Lake Winnepesaukee, channel markers are usually colored by the side you should pass them by. On Winnepesaukee there were red and black markers, and you always passed by the Red markers on (say) the north or west side and the black markers on the south or east side (I don't remember the specific correct directions, but it was something like that). That allowed you to navigate correctly; because sometimes the markers were directing you into a channel, like the deepest water and so the best place to navigate, and sometimes the markers were directing you away from an obsticle, like a submerged rock or sandbar. So sometimes you wanted to go between them, and sometimes you wanted to go around them, so you needed to know the compass direction each color was directing you to pass them by. --Jayron32 20:33, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks, I went ahead and enrolled in a weekend class provided by the local water supply district. The organizer said I was the only one to enroll, so they may have to cancel if no one else does. But he also told me, if that's was the case, he'd meet me out on the Reservoir that weekend and "show me the ropes." I guess Southern hospitality has its advantages. Thanks all! Quinn ^{❀ BEAUTIFUL DAY} 04:27, 2 June 2011 (UTC)