Whuzzat #17 - Margaret Gorman, first Miss america, and a 1921 Birmingham

[Otto Puzzell]

Radio show performer?

[pnegyesi]

Was she an activist?

[Ray B.]

None of that...

She could have made her own Popeye's motto: 'I am what I am and that's all that I am!'

[Wendax]

Sounds like Paris Hilton to me.

[Otto Puzzell]

Spy?

[Ray B.]

Not a spy. To speak the truth, her talents, if she had any, have not passed to history. I guess that it will be the same for Paris.

[Otto Puzzell]

Known by virtue lineage or marriage?

[Ray B.]

Nope, but you've made a big step: she was known by something else than a particular skill.

[Otto Puzzell]

First or last of something?

[Ray B.]

First something

[Ray B.]

Here is her one-time pal.

[pnegyesi]

Are we talking about an imaginary kingdom?

[Ray B.]

Mythical would be a truer word. You only see part of the picture. On the part I left out, she can be seen standing next to its king.

Let's sum up what you know:
- She was known for what she was, not what she did.
- As Paris Hilton, she had no particular talent, skill, or profession.
- She was a first something.

[Carnut]

she had no particular talent, skill, or profession.

...brains, charm or humour...

(referring to the person you were..)

[Ray B.]

...brains, knowledge or humour...

That she may very well have had, its just that history has kept no trace of it.
But at the time, she became famous for one particular quality, which was not one of those you mention.

[Otto Puzzell]

Was she an artist's muse?

[pnegyesi]

was it related to her physical appearance?

[Ray B.]

was it related to her physical appearance?

It sure was (and no artist muse AFAIK).

[Oguerrerob]

Pin-up girl

[Ray B.]

Kind of. I don't know if her picture was fequently pinned up, but if it was, since she was no actress, singer, or performer of any kind, there must have been a reason.

[Otto Puzzell]

Is it "Lily"

[Ray B.]

I could tell you, if I only knew who Lily is

[Otto Puzzell]

The subject of a song by the Who, "Pictures of Lily" is alleged to refer to Lilian Baylis, a theater manager.

I Used To Wake Up In The Morning
I Used To Feel So Bad
I Got So Sick Of Having Sleepless Nights
I Went And Told My Dad

He Said, 'Son Now Here's Some Little Something'
And Stuck Them On My Wall
And Now My Nights Ain't Quite So Lonely
In Fact I, I Don't Feel Bad At All

Pictures Of Lily Made My Life So Wonderful
Pictures Of Lily Helped Me Sleep At Night
Pitcures Of Lily Solved My Childhood Problems
Pictures Of Lily Helped Me Feel Alright

Pictures Of Lily
Lily, Oh Lily
Lily, Oh Lily
Pictures Of Lily

And Then One Day Things Weren't Quite So Fine
I Fell In Love With Lily
I Asked My Dad Where Lily I Could Find
He Said, 'Son, Now Don't Be Silly'

'She's Been Dead Since 1929'
Oh, How I Cried That Night
If Only I'd Been Born In Lily's Time
It Would Have Been Alright

Pictures Of Lily Made My Life So Wonderful
Pictures Of Lily Helped Me Sleep At Night

For Me And Lily Are Together In My Dreams
And I Ask You, 'Hey Mister, Have You Ever Seen'
'Pictures Of Lily?'

[Ray B.]

Oh yes, I remember.

This girl lived to be a hundred, and died much more recently.

[Otto Puzzell]

Molly Brown? The guy looks kind of like Neptune