Jack Paar was the host of
The Tonight Show from 1957-1961. He was known and loved for his great conversation skills and tendency to let his emotions show, even on camera. On February 10, 1960, he told a joke that had come from a friend's daughter's junior high teacher. The joke went like this:
"An English lady, while visiting Switzerland, was looking for a room, and she asked the schoolmaster if he could recommend any to her. He took her to see several rooms, and when everything was settled, the lady returned to her home to make the final preparations to move."When she arrived home, the thought suddenl occured to her that she had not seen a W.C. That's a water closet to the British. We would call it a bathrrom or a ladies' room, men's room. I guess a bathroom."So she immediately wrote a note to the schoolmaster asking him if there was a W.C. around. The schoolmaster was a very poor student of English, so he asked the parish priest if he could help in the matter. Together they tried to discover the meaning of the letters W.C. and the only solution they could find for the letters was 'Wayside Chapel.' The schoolmaster then wrote to the English lady the following note:Dear Madam:
I take great pleasure in informing you that the W.C. is situated nine miles from the house you occupy, in the center of a beautiful grove of pine trees surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and it is open on Sunday and Thursday only. As there are a great number of people and they are expected during the summer months, I would suggest that you come early: although there is plenty of standing room as a rule. You will no doubt be glad to hear that a good number of people bring their lunch and make a day of it. While others who can afford to go by car arrive just in time. I would especially recommend that your ladyship go on Thursday when there is a musical accompaniment. It may interest you to know that my daughter was married in the W.C. and it was there that she met her husband. I can remember the rush there was for seats. There were ten people to a seat ordinarily occupied by one. It was wonderful to see the expression on their faces. The newest attraction is a bell donated by a wealthy resident of the district. It rings every time a person enters. A bazaar is to be held to provide plush seats for all the people, since they feel it is a long felt need. My wife is rather delicate, so she can't attend regularly. I shall be delighted to reserve the best seat for you if you wish, where you will be seen by all. For the children, there is a special time and place so that they will not disturb the elders. Hoping to have been of service to you, I remain,
Sincerely,
The Schoolmaster. "
According to the people at NBC, this joke, while fit for a junior high class, was not decent enough to air on television, so they cut it out of the show. This offended Jack Paar deeply and he walked off of the show the next day saying "There must be a better way to make a living than this."
After a public apology by the chairman of NBC, Jack returned to the show.
This film depicts the life of American General George S. Patton during World War II. It is not a typical WWII movie in that Patton is not a typical hero. He is selfish, agressive, inconsiderate, and very raw, but he is still honorable. While it is supported by an incredible depictioon of the war as well as great supporting actors, it is the character of Patton that makes this film incredible. George C. Scott delivers an incredible performance as one of the most interesting characters I have ever seen on film. It's incredible that this man who slapped a soldier suffering from battle fatigue, who designed his own uniforms and carried ivory handled pistols, who urged that we fight the Russians immediately following our defeat of the Germans, and who believed that he was great warriors in past lives, was a real human being. It is said that George C. Scott's portrayal is very accurate. It is a testiment to Scott's ability to see such a character to be portrayed so accurately, believably, and sympathetically.
