by Jo RobertsonDuring the holidays many of us squeeze in a little extra time to go to the movies. Maybe take the kiddies or have an afternoon matinee date with our significant others or friends.
As you know I love movies. Any kind, any time, any place, I’m raring to go.
The Eighty-third Academy Awards aren’t scheduled until February, but I thought it would be fun to play a movie trivia game.
One of the interesting things about the Academy Awards is to look in retrospect at the list of films that were nominated, but DIDN’T win, so I’ve added a few of those questions. There’s a question from each decade and several bonus questions.
No fair surfing the net to find your answers. You either know or don’t know them. See if you can get every one right.
Let’s Play Movie Trivia!
1. What movie, based on a World War I novel widely studied in American high schools, won the 1930 Best Picture Award?
2. What 1946 best picture lost to “The Best Years of Our Lives,” but is still watched by millions of people every Christmas?
3. What 1954 Oscar went to a film in which young Marlon Brando made his “bones”?
4. In 1969, the first R-rated movie starring a very young Jon Voigt won the Oscar for best picture? What was it?
5. What film and its sequel won the best picture awards for 1972 and 1974?
6. In 1982 “Tootsie” and “E.T.” both lost the best picture award to which winning film?
Bonus:
7. Which person hosted the Academy Awards the greatest number of times?
8. Who was the first black American to win an academy award?And for those of you who are die-hard television fans, what's the best NEW show you've seen this year? My personal favorite is the BBC show "Luther," billed as a "psychological crime drama television series," starring the handsomely talented Idris Elba (left).
71 comments:
Is he mine today!
The Good Wife is one of my favorites, but I also like No Ordinary Family also. There are several shows we watch, also love White Coller.
Yay, Virginia! He's all yours. Use him wisely LOL.
THE GOOD WIFE is one of my very favorite new shows and, in its second season now, it's avoided the sophomore slump and gets more and more intriguing.
WHITE COLLAR's a good one too, Virginia. Did you know that Matt Bomer (I think that's his name, the one with the beautiful blue eyes) can SING!! Yes, I heard him on the Lincoln Center Awards.
LOL, I don't know any of the answers!!!!!!
I enjoyed 'The Gates' and 'Hawaii five-o' (ummmmm Alex O'Laughlin♥)
KEWL post, Jo-mama!
I know 2,3,4,5,6 and 8 but will give the BBs a chance to strut their stuff. And speaking of strutting, congrats on the GR, Virginia! This close to the New Year, I'm sure he is strutting around crowing. ;-)
I don't watch much TV but have seen a couple of episodes of the new Hawaii 5-0 and I must say, the "scenery" is verra nice!
AC
Congrats on the GR, Virginia.
Hey Jo,
I love "Luther," too. I read that they're filming more episodes. "Sherlock" was great, too. I agree with the others about "Hawaii Five O." It's definitely one of the best new shows on TV.
These are a few of my guesses.
1. "All Quiet on the Western Front."
2. "It's a Wonderful Life"
4. "Midnight Cowboy"
7. Bob Hope
8. Hattie McDaniel for "Gone With the Wind"
Thought I'd check the blog before heading to bed and I'm thinking that might be a mistake as my brain doesn't hit all its cyclinders this late. I definitely know the answers to #2, #3, and #4 so I'll keep mum on those to give others a chance. The rest of these are guesses so don't count on my answers.
#1 - This is one of those titles that I think I'll know as soon as I see it, but I'll guess For Whom the Bell Tolls. (but I don't think that's right).
#5 Could it be The Godfather? It's the only film I can think of in that time frame with a decent sequel.
#6 - I don't know...but I bet it's a drama. Comedies rarely win.
#7 - I'll guess Billy Crystal - but I'm not sure
#8 - This is terrible because I know the answer. It's hanging there at the tip of my brain. I can see his face and hear Halle Berry giving him tribute - but for the life of me can't pull the name from the abyss. Grrrr.
Wow these are some hard questions. I will try my best but I do not think I know any.
1. Don't know
2. I think it is The Bells of St. Mary's.
3. Street Car Named Desire
4. Apocalypse Now
5. Godfather and Godfather 2
6. Gandhi
7. Steve Martin
8. I believe Haddy McDaniel(Not sure if the last name is right, she was in Gone With The Wind) she won for best supporting actress.
Sydney Poiter was first black male to win an oscar for In The Heat Of The Night
Well these are my guesses. I wonder how well I did. Hmm...
As for the best new show I don't know why but I really enjoy Outsourced. I know it isn't the best show but for some reason I love it. I also am sucked into Nikita.
As soon as I went to bed, and the house quieted down, I knew the answer to #1 - and as I suspected my earlier answer was incorredt. ALso remembered Mr. Chips's real name. Amazing what lying in bed can do - I should do it more often (grin).
Hm...
1. "All Quiet on the Western Front"
2. "It's a Wonderful Life"
3. "On the Waterfront"
4. "Midnight Cowboy" ("I'm walking here!")
5. "The Godfather" and "The Godfather 2" ("make him an offer he can't refuse")
6. "Gandhi"
8. Hatti McDaniel for Best Supporting Actress for "Gone With the Wind" (the first Best Actor was Sidney Poitier who won for "Lilies of the Field")
Great questions! I didn't know the answers ... I could guess at a few. I hope you publish them so I don't have to look them up.
Favorite "new" show is Hawaii Five O.
Ooh, fun!
1. All’s Quiet on the Western Front
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
3. On the Waterfront?
4. Deerhunter
5. Godfather
6. Kramer vs. Kramer?
Bonus:
7. Which person hosted the Academy Awards the greatest number of times?
???
8. Who was the first black American to win an academy award? Hattie McDaniel
New show--I like Castle and The Good Wife, but won't miss Hawaii 5-0 for very very shallow reasons.
Great post, Jo but I can't answer any of those questions. I don't keep up with the Oscars.
As far as favorite new TV show? Hmm, I think the only new show I picked up this year was The Event, and I'm not totally loving that one. I don't think it's going to hang on past one season.
Ha, I don't know these. :) Congrats to those who do!
Besides Big Bang Theory, Royal Pains, and White Collar (none of which are new), my favorite show of 2010 was Tower Prep, this paranormal mystery show that took place in a private high school and was on Cartoon Network, of all places. Really dislike that channel, but this was a great mystery, with a killer good season finale, and I can't wait to see what happens when they continue the show.
Congrats, Virginia!
My favorite new TV show is Hawaii Five-0. Love it!
I know I'll kick myself on number one but I can't think of the answer. Here are my other guesses:
2 - It's a Wonderful Life
3 - On the Waterfront
4 - Midnight Cowboy (I was a high school senior and had to con my way into the theater because it was "R" rated.)
5 - The Godfather and The Godfather II
6 - Not sure
7 - Bob Hope
8 - Hattie McDaniel
Hi, Cath! You must be too young to know those answers. I should've put some nineties and 2000's questions in.
Hmmm, I'd watch anything with Alex M. in it. I was so disappointed when they cancelled MOONLIGHT. I loved him as the vampire in that short-lived series.
Yay, Aunty Cindy! I knew I could count on your knowing most of the answers.
Good guesses, Jane! You're definitely in the lead.
OMG, you stumped me! I totally forgot about Hattie McDaniel because I was thinking of lead actors and actresses. Gotta reword that question. But you're absolutely correct on that one!
Jane, I've just discovered the new SHERLOCK HOLMES too. I love how they've set it in the 21st century with the feeling of "old world."
Good job, Donna, two thumbs up as they say in the business LOL.
You were thinking of Sydney Poitier, which is who I was imagining when I wrote the question. But actually, I was wrong on two counts -- he's actually Bahamian-American and the first black LEAD actor to win an Academy Award. I'd forgotten all about poor Hattie M.
Good guesses, Danielle. You nailed the Sydney Poitier one and clarified my question. Thanks.
I like OUTSOURCED too, although it's outrageously non-PC at times, but I suppose that's the point of it, huh?
OMG, Donna, you posted at after two in the morning. NOBODY's brain works at that hour!!!
Tee hee, I think you mean, "They call me MR. TIBBS." That's gotta be one of the most famous lines in filmology!
My gosh, Sheree, you're amazing!!!
And I thought Poitier won for IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, but you're correct -- it was LILIES OF THE FIELD.
So the official answer to bonus question #7 is Sydney Poitier, who I think is one of the most amazing actors of all time.
I reveal the remainder of the answers throughout the day.
Hi, Kim, definitely I'll post the answers later in the day when everyone's had a chance to play.
Looks like our boy Alex O'Loughlin is heading the race for new best show in HAWAII 5-0 -- "Book him, Danno"!
Hi, MJ, almost, not quite, 100% on the "test" LOL.
And we adore your very shallow reasons for watching Hawaii 5-0. I think the voice of women is finally making itself heard throughout the land!
Good guess on the Deerhunter movie, MJ. That film won the best picture award in 1978, an exquisite morality play on war.
It post-dates the 1969 film I in question #4 by about a decade.
I'm a bit ambivalent about THE EVENT too, Christie. I think it's trying to be the new "Lost," but isn't quite making it. I watch it with OnDemand, but not live. It's a bit too conspiracy-theorist for me.
Tell us more about TOWER PREP, Gillian. I love shows like that, can't believe it was on Cartoon Network. It is for young adults?
Good job, PJ! Another H-5-0 fan!
I was a bit cagey putting #1 on the list -- it really is VERY OLD. I'm probably familiar with it only because I taught the book for years and years and really love it.
HERE'S THE ANSWER TO #1:
All Quiet on the Western Front, based on the seminal anti-war book by Erich Remarque, a book banned by Hilter during World War II, won the award for Best Picture.
This is kind of a trick question because the film industry was still new and TWO CEREMONIES were held in 1930, one in April (representing films released from August 1928 to July 1929) and one in November (representing films screened from 1929/1930).
Hey, Jo! I love the Oscars but I have no ability to remember names, titles, etc so I'm not even going to embarrass myself attempting to answer. :-)
I'm going to an Oscar themed NYE party this year where we're supposed to go as our favorite red carpet couple. I'm trying to talk my husband into going as Katie Perry & Russell Brand. I've always wanted to wear plastic & I'm sure he can pull off the crazy eyes all night. He's not into it but I'm persuasive. I'll let you know...
I only know some of these....okay TWO of these. Two of these are guesses. *LOL* Some I have NO idea.
1. What movie, based on a World War I novel widely studied in American high schools, won the 1930 Best Picture Award? ALL’S QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
2. What 1946 best picture lost to “The Best Years of Our Lives,” but is still watched by millions of people every Christmas? IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
3. What 1954 Oscar went to a film in which young Marlon Brando made his “bones”? A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
4. In 1969, the first R-rated movie starring a very young Jon Voigt won the Oscar for best picture? What was it?
5. What film and its sequel won the best picture awards for 1972 and 1974?
6. In 1982 “Tootsie” and “E.T.” both lost the best picture award to which winning film? GHANDI
Bonus:
7. Which person hosted the Academy Awards the greatest number of times? BOB HOPE ("It's Oscar time again, or as we call it in my house, Passover.")
8. Who was the first black American to win an academy award? IT WAS A WOMAN…MATTIE something???
Hattie McDaniel. I knew she was in Gone With the Wind.
And it is ON THE WATERFRONT isn't it? (Is it bad to admit I don't think I've watched a Marlon Brando movie??)
#7 was the guy who hosted the most times--that's not Sydney, Jo, is it???
I had to giggle when I read the title of today's post, Jo, since I'm sitting here in jeans and my husband's cast-off flannel shirt, hehehe. That's me today, all glitz and glamour. ;)
I love movies, especially old ones. My son and his gf went to TRUE GRIT the other night and enjoyed it and we have heard it's good, but, really...don't mess with the Duke's movies, you know?
My DH is into reality shows and he has enjoyed the new one Gold Rush: Alaska. He's determined we're all giving up our jobs to pan for gold in Alaska. Uh huh, yeah, okay, dear.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is a good movie; too bad it too years for people to think so.
oops, took years....
The GR needs to have an edit button.
Another fun blog!
Some of these answers are educated guesses. I know a few more than half.
1. All Quiet on the Western Front
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. On the Waterfront
4. Midnight Cowboy
5. The Godfather
6. Ghandi
7. Bob Hope
8. Hattie McDaniel
Yay for Hawaii Five-O :)
You're right Jo, MOONLIGHT was AWESOME♥ they should never have canceled it!!!
Actually Scott Caan (Danno) is not too bad either (i like rugged and quick witted)!!!!
Well, Jo, I had 5 of the 8 right. That's not bad.
My favorite new show or show(s)?
Castle, White Collar, The Good Wife
~Avery
AveryAames.com
Mystery Lovers' Kitchen
I love watching the Oscars. To see what everyone is wearing and who is with whom on the red carpet.
Susan said, "I'm going to an Oscar themed NYE party this year where we're supposed to go as our favorite red carpet couple."
What a fun idea! I know who I'd LIKE to go as (anyone George Clooney's currently dating), but I don't think I could pull it off.
Good luck on the Russell Brand thing. I'd love to see those wide, creepy eyes on a regular person LOL.
Ah, MsHellion, I was sure you'd get them all right, but you did get #6 right. GANDHI won best picture that year even though I think most people remember E.T. and maybe Tootsie (where Dustin Hoffman dressed up like a woman to get work as an actor).
I always remember E.T. for the line where Michael calls his brother Elliott "p--is breath." I argued for years with my family that he really said "peanuts breath" because I didn't think they'd let that line go in a family movie.
Does anyone know the truth? I wanna win that argument. Still.
Anyway, E.T. was the most financially successful movie up to that point (1982), surpassing even STAR WARS, and was made on a paltry 10 1/2 million dollars. Ha!
LOL, MsHellion. No, it's not Sydney. Keep guessing. I'm sure you'll hit on the answer, somebody old, white, and dead, a comedian.
Yes! The answer to #3 is ON THE WATERFRONT although Brando was pretty amazing in STREETCAR.
And yes, you should be ashamed not to have seen Brando when he was younger (instead of old and fat). He was such a good "bad boy."
Deb said, "but, really...don't mess with the Duke's movies, you know?"
LOL at your reference to John Wayne. He was such an iconic figure. We saw the new TRUE GRIT too, one of the few movies I could get my husband to see. The Coen brothers did some amazing things with it, though, and I was roaring during most of it. I kept asking Dr. Big if a particular wording or scene was in the Wayne version cause he's old enough to know and I'm not, of course.
He finally told me to stop talking, silly man.
Hey, Deb, if you end up panning for gold in Alaska, watch out for Sarah Palin. You might be mistaken for a grizzly.
Whoooopppptt! Janga!
Congrats on getting all the answers correct!
Interestingly enough, Godfather I and Godfather II are often thought of as one film by students of film-making. Godfather III, not so much, but I still enjoyed it.
So many great lines from that movie. Someone mentioned "make him an offer he can't refuse," but there's also "sleeping with the fishes" and "going to the mattress."
Ah, #7....Bob Hope
Cath said, "You're right Jo, MOONLIGHT was AWESOME♥ they should never have canceled it!!!"
I was just reading up on this series and even though it had a dedicated fan base and got over 7 million viewers (which is good for a Friday night time slot), CBS cancelled it anyway.
I say a pox on the house of CBS!!
Hi, Avery, lots of folks are liking those shows and, even though they're not in their first season, I like all three of them too.
You must have good taste LOL.
Me too, Jill. And I like even more hearing how the commenters compliment or diss what the stars are wearing. I'm always amazed when a gown they rave about it one I find gosh-awful!
Hey, Virginia, congrats on the chook!
Sorry I've been AWOL. You know what it's like over Christmas. I could blame it on the rain (oh, man, getting a Milli Vanilla flashback here!). We've been inundated here.
Jo, what a fun post. I love Oscar trivia! The Golden Globes are on in a couple of weeks. I always enjoy them - they're much less choreographed and I like that they include TV shows as well as movies. I also like that they separate out dramas from comedies and musicals. I don't think a comedy has EVER won best picture at the Oscar which seems a shame.
Happy New Year's Eve in Australia, everyone!
Hi, Suzanne, whose cover is simply gorgeous. Everyone look, click on Suz's cover. Isn't it beautiful??
BOB HOPE is right, Suzanne. I actually had to look that one up because I was thinking maybe it was BILLY CRYSTAL (whom I adore), but nope, Hope hosted about 12 times (5 more with co-hosts) and Crystal only 8. If I counted correctly.
Virginia, congrats on the bird!
Jo, what a fun game! I don't know a lot of movie trivia, but I'll give it a whirl.
1. All Quiet on the Western Front
2. It's a Wonderful Life (second choice, Miracle on 34th St.)
3. ???
4. Midnight Cowboy
5. Godfather and Godfather II??
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Bonuses:
7. Johnny Carson
8. Sidney Poitier
How'd I do?
Best new show I saw this year--I'd go for Law and Order UK. Cops and lawyers and Jamie Bamber--what's not to like? *g*
Very few new shows reached out and grabbed me. I also liked Covert Affairs with Piper Perabo on USA Network.
Hi, Anna. Sorry about the rain. We've been having tons of it here too. People always pray for rain in California and God says, "Okay, you want a little rain?" and dumps tons of it on us.
I enjoy the Golden Globes too. They seem to be a real indicator of where the Academy Awards will go, don't they?
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT won in the thirties, but that's a long time without a comedy. It'll be interesting to see if the Coen brothers remake of TRUE GRIT will garner a nomination.
Yes, Nancy! I was going to mention Law and Order UK. I don't know if it's the accents or the unique (to Americans) presentation of court cases or what, but I really enjoy that show too.
In fact, BBC has moved up to my top of favorite networks. The do superb work.
Let me reveal another answer.
We've already said "All Quiet on the Western Front" was the 1930 winner. And Bob Hope hosted the most number of times.
The 1943 NON winner was Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Copyright failures made it a favorite, often-run television film during the 70's and 80's.
I do hope you have fun with him Virginia
Jo
Great post I don't know any of the answers LOL, I used to watch TV and movies but over the last few years I read more and spend more time on the internet.
It is New Years Eve here in Oz so Happy New Year Everyone stay safe and have lots of fun.
Have Fun
Helen
My very favorite is Castle. It's the one show I won't miss!
Without looking and really thinking (busy day here), I only know the last one (I think), which is Sidney Poitier.
Best new show this year -- I really am enjoying Hawaii Five-0.
Ya, okay, I got nothing on the movie trivia. LOL
But as for the best new show this year? I'm going to have to go with Sherlock on that one. :)
Okay, gals and guys, time for another answer to the movie trivia (although the awesome Janga got them all correct!).
Even though I said R-rated in the question, Midnight Cowboy was the first and ONLY X-rated movie to receive an award (Best Picture of 1969). I remember being sooooo disappointed because at the time, I refused to see x-rated movies.
But I always made a point of attneding all of the nominated movies before the awards ceremony. I stuck to my pact, however, and missed the 1969 show. Later the film was reassigned an R-rating by the MPAA.
I have to say the film seems pretty tame by today's standards.
Happy New Year's Eve Day, Helen!! Do you celebrate wildly in Oz? Open the bubbly and eat rich food and have good friends over?
Pissenlit, so glad you chose SHERLOCK. It's really terribly clever and I love the young actor with the unlikely name of Benedict Cumberbatch (sounds like a Charles Dickens' character) who plays Sherlock. Equally appealing and sweetly attractive is this version of Dr. Watson (played by Martin Freeman).
Seriously, if you haven't watched this show yet, do see if you can get in On-Demand or DVD. They've only aired 3 episodes, I think, and next fall should bring another three-part mini-series.
Here's the final answer -- question #8:
The first black American to win an award for a leading actor was Sydney Poitier for his portral in LILIES OF THE FIELD, although, as I said earlier, I thought it was for IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, which is one of my top ten movies of all times.
Hi, Trish. You are with a lot of good people in enjoying HAWAII 5-0. As someone mentioned, the role of Danno is particularly engaging. That's played by James Caan's son and the rapport between him and Alex O'Loughlin is great.
I'm with you on CASTLE, Catslady. I fell in love with Nathan Fillion in that show and subsequently purchased FIREFLY on DVD to watch his smart-ass self in that futuristic cowboy-type movie. Plus he's so easy on the eyes.
I hope I didn't miss any of the answers. To recap,
1. All Quiet on the Western Front
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. On the Waterfront
4. Midnight Cowboy
5. Godfather I and Godfather II
6. Gandhi
7. Bob Hope
8. Sydney Poitier
Thanks to everyone who played and to those who got them all or nearly all correct.
You know I'm gonna play this game again, right. I'll try to pick movies from the last two decades next time (for the youngsters in the group)!
Jo, I absolutely loved all three Sherlock episodes, including the unaired pilot(60min version of A Study in Pink) and you're so right about the actors/characters! I can't wait till the new season! :)
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