Presidents and First Ladies Trivia

[Eva Elisabeth]

My choice if I were Joe:
   
...because although Italian, Claudia Cardinale is Tunisian-born, and Tunisian cuisine is excellent!!! (And eye-catching, too.)

(BTW, did you know CC's career began because in 1957, the Italian cinema in Tunis organized a competition to find the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia"? She won, and the prize was a trip to Venice during the Venice Film Festival, where she was spotted by film producers.)

[L Verge]

My choice if I were Joe:

...because although Italian, Claudia Cardinale is Tunisian-born, and Tunisian cuisine is excellent!!! (And eye-catching, too.)

(BTW, did you know CC's career began because in 1957, the Italian cinema in Tunis organized a competition to find the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia"? She won, and the prize was a trip to Venice during the Venice Film Festival, where she was spotted by film producers.)

Claudia Cardinale is sure a name from the past! I also thought about Gina Lollabriggeta (and I'm sure that I just butchered her last name).

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Well, I do not know about anyone else but Sophia Loren is MY favorite Italian dish--along with Judge Jeanine Pirro, of course

Boy, would I love to watch a conversation between you and Judge Jeanine. Notice I said "conversation" instead of "debate," because I'm sure that the two of you agree on many things (as do I).

[Eva Elisabeth]

I learned the Garfield quote from reading Tom Bogar's American Presidents Attend the Theatre. I heartily recommend this book by Tom as well.

So do I!
In his book, Tom states that a few presidents had only little to zero interest in theater and hardly ever attended. Only one of these eight presidents took office sometime after Abraham Lincoln's presidency.

Who?

[Gene C]

Just guessing - Ronald Reagan ?

[L Verge]

My guess would be Nixon. Or, FDR (since he did not like to have the general public see him in a wheelchair?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Good guesses, Gene and Laurie - Nixon and RR were indeed modest theatergoers (RR paradoxically - since he was an actor himself), but another president was less interested in the subject than these gentlemen. (FDR enjoyed attending the theater.)

Hint #1: He wasn't originally from the Sahara of the Bozart but might have gained his disdain there.

[L Verge]

Wilson?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Another good guess, Laurie, but it wasn't Wilson either.

[L Verge]

Well, let's try President Hayes. Perhaps Lemonade Lucy thought theater a vice also?

[Eva Elisabeth]

A very smart idea, Laurie, but this gentleman held office in the second half of the 20th century.

Hint #2: He also opposed brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck.

[Anita]

My guess is Ford.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Good guess, Anita - I'm sorry, it's not Ford either!

Hint #3: He even banned that special brassicacea (see hint #2) from boarding the AF1.
Hint #4: As a president he had something in common with John Quincy Adams.

[Rogerm]

Was it Eisenhower?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Very good guess, Roger, as Ike indeed was only a modest theatergoer, but not as modest as the sought-after gentleman.

Hint #5: This president's father was right the opposite - an enthusiastic theatergoer.

[Anita]

George W Bush