Q: What film director has coaxed the most Academy Award-nominated acting performances, not just winners, but most nominated, from his actors? I’m thinking it may be Clint Eastwood, since it seems the actors in his films always earn nominations, but my wife leans more to past directors like Billy Wilder or George Cukor.
-- T. Tinsley, Kennesaw
A: The director is William Wyler, with 36 acting nominations for films he directed, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Elia Kazan is second (with 24), followed by George Cukor (with 21). Wyler directed Oscar-nominated actors in films such as "Ben-Hur," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Roman Holiday," "Mrs. Miniver," "Jezebel," "The Heiress," "Wuthering Heights" and "Funny Girl." Wyler also is the director with the most acting awards -- 15. He died in 1981.
Q: While looking at ice melt on my driveway, I am wondering: Why is thick ice white, and then turns clear as it melts?
-- Stephen Smith, Atlanta
A: It sounds like the ice formed from freezing rain and then later became coated with a layer of frost or maybe rime ice, Wayne Suggs, a chemistry professor at the University of Georgia, told Q&A on the News in an e-mail. "As the temperature of the ice rises, the porous layer of frost or rime ice melts, which leaves the clear ice exposed," he wrote.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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