January 27, 1874: If It’s Godunov for Boris . . .

Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky (Pictures at an Exhibition, Night on Bald Mountain) wrote only one opera, Boris Godunov, but it is the most recorded Russian opera in history. It takes place during the 16th century era lovingly called the Time of Troubles. Ivan the Terrible has turned up his Tsarist toes. His son, Fyodor I, Too Feeble To Be Terrible, succeeds him but has precious little interest in Tsaring, leaving that to his brother-in-law Boris. Boris soon becomes Tsar in his own right, although his tsardom is contested by a guy named False Dimitriy (with a name like that know he’s got to be ba-a-ad.  All sorts of political intrigue ensues, with murderers, mercenaries, and great pretenders (sort of like our southern border). The opera premiered on January 27, 1874.

A counterpart to Boris Godunov appeared a few centuries later. Boris Badenov, a spy from Pottsylvania, and the self-described world’s greatest no-goodnik. This Boris takes orders from Fearless Leader and Mr. Big. He received a scoundrelship to USC, the University of Safe Cracking, graduating magna cum louse. Most of his nasty deeds and schemes are directed at his nemeses, Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Separated at Birth

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born on January 27, 1756, remains the most enduring and popular of all classical performers. He started in early, becoming a competent musician on both the violin and keyboard, composing and performing, at the age of five. He lived only 35 years but created more than 600 works — symphonies, concertos, operas, chamber and choral music, and quite possibly the Mayberry theme.

Howard McNear was born on January 27, 1905. As an actor, he played a number of diverse roles in over a hundred radio, television and film features, beginning with the role of Doc Adams on radio’s Gunsmoke. As a barber on TV’s Leave It to Beaver, he gave Wally Cleaver his first shave. But it was when he took his tonsorial talents to a little town called Mayberry that he shined. As confused, chatty Floyd the Barber he created the role for which he is remembered. Pretty much forgotten is his role as Shere Khan in the Jungle Book.

And then there’s Sabu. Sabu, you say? Yes, born in 1924, Sabu was a star of stage, screen and jungles everywhere, appearing in such noteworthy films as Cobra Woman, Jungle Hell, White Savage, and Hello Elephant. His most famous role was, of course, Mowgli in the Jungle Book (not the cartoon version).