I thought this was a ref. to the movie ET

Thank you, Jackie, you have saved the day again. I should have picked up this ref, even though I did not see the film. As you say, the line IS famous enough for it to be generally - indeed, universally - known.

Mav's remark does raise a question, though. What do you do with all those posts, Jackie? Do you string your washing line between them? Do you play the last one at sundown each day? Do tell!