The Straight Dope: If no sun, how long till the earth freezes?

[View this message as a web page] [The Straight Dope] 06/17/2016 Dear Cecil: In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the planet-killer device absorbs the sun to do its dirty work. This got me to wondering: If the sun suddenly went out, how long would it take us to freeze solid? — Barry Cecil replies: Notwithstanding the primary source you cite — i.e., some Disney focus group’s idea of a movie plot — it strikes me that there are a few fundamental physical laws of the universe that just might work against the sun’s being abruptly extinguished. But OK, I’ll play along. What might conceivably produce such an effect here on earth? For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE STAFF REPORT — 02/15/2001 Dear Straight Dope: Here is mystery that I have wanted to know the answer to, but I can not seem to find any consistent information about it. In the early 1940's, Salvador Dali and Walt Disney made an animated film together. However, once complete, it was never shown to the public because there would have been objections regarding its content. I'm guessing that Disney wanted people to associate his name with ''Mickey Mouse'' and not naked woman morphing into a pile of ants. My professor (at the University of Salamanca in Spain) claimed that the rights to the film were in dispute by Disney and the estate of Salvador Dali, so, it would never be seen. My question is, does this film exist? Why has the public never seen it? Would it be possible to see it if it does exist? I really want to know more about this. Thanks for your help. — David Magliocco SDStaff Eutychus replies: Disney has always had a thing for strange bedfellows. The most recent developement in animation has John Kricfalusi of "Ren and Stimpy" fame developing an animated series for Disney Television entitled Green Monkeys. I can't imagine two more differing styles, but even back in the 1940's, Disney was reaching out and trying to extend his art beyond the merely commercial. For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC — 02/07/2003 Dear Cecil: Has anyone ever bothered to seriously check the claims of TV producer Chuck Barris in his book Confessions of a Dangerous Mind to see if he's a fraud or not? Also, could you personally investigate his claims? (I think he's a fraud, but I don't have the time to investigate myself.) — Russell, Sacramento, CA Cecil replies: Ah, right, Chuck Barris. Barris is the showbiz entrepreneur who created The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and The Gong Show (the last of which he hosted), hits in the late 1960s and '70s that were thought to represent the absolute low in schlock TV, at least until everybody got a load of Temptation Island. For more, see: [ YOUR AD HERE! Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. For rates and details contact Rich at [rhummel@suntimes.com]. Copyright © 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. This email was sent by The Straight Dope, Sun-Times Media, LLC., 350 N. Orleans, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654 [Unsubscribe/update preferences] This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To change or update your newsletter subscription preferences, or to unsubscribe from all Chicago Reader and Straight Dope newsletters and promotional communications, [click here]. Please allow 72 hours for this change to take effect.