Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2019 August 23

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August 23

From what video game is the music that plays at a certain point in this video from?

There's a video game audio track that plays in this video during segments discussing bootleg versions of the NES game Adventure Island (the first time it plays is at the 10:39 mark). At first I thought it was from an Adventure Island game, but when I listened to the soundtracks of the NES game and its sequel, I didn't hear it. So where is this music from? Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 00:26, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

The first appearance of "Magic Missile"

Magic Missile is a spell which appears in many works of fiction, especially games. I'm quite sure the concept of the spell originates from some edition of Dungeons & Dragons, but I can't find any certain information about which edition of the game the spell first appeared in, and I'm not even completely sure if the concept of the spell actually originates from a totally different work of fiction. 46.132.187.197 (talk) 11:08, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

Not sure on the Magic Missile spell specifically, but the magic system in DND was originally inspired by the Dying Earth series of fantasy novels, see Dying Earth#Role-playing. If it did exist before DND, it would probably be there. If it didn't then it suspect it was in the first edition of DND which was published in 1974. It may also come from some of the other inspirations, see Sources and influences on the development of Dungeons & Dragons. --Jayron32 13:38, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

No "Magic Missile" that I can recall in the Dying Earth, but I can let you have an "Excellent Prismatic Spray" that will skewer your target just as well at a bargain price. Order within the next hour, and I'll throw in "Phandaal's Gyrator" at no extra cost (shipping and handling extra). Clarityfiend (talk) 22:00, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

I wouldn't expect to find the word missile in The Dying Earth, unless used jocularly for something improvised: "She picked up a goblet and hurled it at my head. I ducked and her missile shattered on the wall." (Hm, it occurs to me that very few of Jack Vance's stories are told in first person.) —Tamfang (talk) 17:23, 27 August 2019 (UTC)

Not terribly relevant, but there really is such a thing as a Magic Missile. Alansplodge (talk) 20:43, 24 August 2019 (UTC)

The Crimson Permanent Assurance

Our article (and IMDb) list the cast, and specifies some of them as pirates (or executives of the VBCA), but is it known which one played the captain? IMDb has a pictures for a couple of them, but I'm terrible at recognizing faces. Matt Deres (talk) 23:06, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

I'm not sure which one of these five is considered the captain. I can tell you that the one in the middle is John Scott Martin. He was one of the longest serving Dalek operators in the history of Doctor Who. MarnetteD|Talk 23:18, 23 August 2019 (UTC)

The Captain is the fellow on the left here: images.app.goo.gl/w8wxYay7vB9pp3VG7 (deadlinked due to blacklist). Matt Deres (talk) 00:52, 24 August 2019 (UTC)

Okay I went through the list and googled the names. It could be Wally Thomas, Paddy Ryan or Eric Francis. I lean strongly towards Wally T as his face is longer than the other two. Since this is only a guess on my part I've included the other pics for editors seeing this to chose from. If I'm completely off apologies for the misdirection. MarnetteD|Talk 01:28, 24 August 2019 (UTC)

I think you're right - Wally Thomas it is - thank you very much! Matt Deres (talk) 16:43, 24 August 2019 (UTC)

You are welcome Matt Deres. Always remember "It was the salmon mousse" :-) MarnetteD|Talk 16:53, 24 August 2019 (UTC)

This page confirms "Wally Thomas... Crimson Permanent Assurance, Piratical Accountant/Captain". Alansplodge (talk) 20:38, 24 August 2019 (UTC)