Misc: Which american writer described Wagners music as being better than it sounds?

Questions

what is the common name of the plant calluna?

give one of michael portillo's other christian names.denzil?

name either of the songs which were big hits for shirley ross and bob hope in two musical films in 1937/8. thanks for the memory?

give either of the food items eaten by the owl and the pussycat.mince?

who won the oscar for best director for the 1987 film "the last emperor"?