Alastair Sim Trivia Quiz

Answer: Edinburgh

Sim was elected by 2078 votes to 802, beating none other than Harold Macmillan to this prestigious position. He was said to be more proud of receiving this accolade than any other honour that came his way.

Answer: Assassin

The character of Hawkins was widely regarded as being one of Sim's finest roles. On the surface, Sim, as Hawkins, played a timid clockmaker. Hawkins however had another profession, as an International Assassination Expert. His target was pompous industrialist Sir Gregory Upshoot, whom Hawkins planned to kill at the Green Man Hotel.

However, his plans suffered interruption by vacuum cleaner salesman William Blake (played by George Cole) who, with comic clumsiness, stumbled onto the plot. When he is believed by no one in authority, William traveled to the Green Man, the scene of some of the funniest and darkest highlights of the film, to save Sir Gregory.

This film was a truly great dark British comedy.

Answer: Hue And Cry

Sim played the bescarfed author of blood-and-thunder comics, Felix H. Wilkinson. A gang of schoolboys happened to stumble across the fact that a group of conspirators were using his storylines to plot their crimes. When the police refused to take the boys seriously, they decided to take their own action. Contrary to popular belief, "Hue And Cry" (1947) marked Sim's only appearance in an Ealing Comedy.

Answer: Laughter In Paradise

A practical joker left £50,000 to each of his four relatives, including Deniston, played by Sim, on condition that they completed an unusual task. Retired army officer/novelist Deniston Russell (Alastair Sim) had to commit a petty crime and spend a month in jail. Ultimately, the "beneficiaries" discovered that the joker had died penniless, having one last joke at their expense. Sim, as Deniston, was in the process of being arrested for throwing a brick through a jeweller's window, but felt he should add "a little extra" to warrant the required custodial sentence.

Answer: Mr. S.Potter

This was considered by many to be Alastair Sim's greatest film role. Based on the Stephen Potter "One Upmanship" and "Lifemanship" books, Henry Palfrey, played by Ian Carmichael, always tried hard to impress, but habitually lost out to the likes of the cad Delauney (played in his usual style by Terry-Thomas).

However, having learned of the Lifeman college run by "Professor" (a self-conveyed title) Potter, Palfrey enrolled and discovered the secrets of success. The closing scenes concentrated on whether Palfrey had gained the courage to put all his lessons into effect. "School For Scoundrels" was an absolute gem of a film with superb acting throughout.

Answer: Sign autographs

According to Sir Ian McKellen, a close friend, Sim "was always utterly charming to the person he was refusing." In Sim's mind, he simply could not understand why anyone would want his signature. He had a low regard for his own importance.

Answer: Knighthood

This was not some grand gesture of defiance - he simply didn't think he'd done anything in life to warrant the title. Sim was awarded the C.B.E. in 1953. When once asked why he thought this had been granted, he replied "I think I got it in recognition of the number of appalling scripts that I rejected."

Answer: Othello

He played the messenger in a cast that included Peggy Ashcroft, Ralph Richardson and Paul Robeson on London's West End. He also understudied the roles of Othello, Iago and Roderigo - all for the princely sum of £5 a week.

Answer: The Riverside Murder

Alastair played a Scottish police sergeant in "The Riverside Murder" (1935), one of a number of Fox Quickies (Fox British being a small British film company). In this murder mystery, three prominent, wealthy businessmen were killed just before their big meeting. To find their killers, a reporter assisted the inspector.

Answer: Cottage To Let

A 15 year old Cole played cocky cockney teenager Ronald Mittsby in the wartime espionage drama "Cottage To Let" (1941). Sim played chief suspect Charles Dimble. At around this time, the Sim's took in children who were evacuated from London because of the fear of bombs dropping during the blitz. Among these was George Cole, who arrived and stayed until he was 27, practically becoming their foster son.