Behind Blue Eyes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cleveland

Sources differ on whether Newman (1925-2008) was born in Cleveland proper or in Shaker Heights, which is one of Cleveland's oldest suburbs, but agree that he grew up in Shaker Heights and attended high school there. His father, Arthur, owned a sporting goods store in Cleveland, which young Paul ran for a time before embarking on his career as an actor.

The image is of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which opened in Cleveland in 1995. The three incorrect choices are cities that are not in Ohio: Chicago, Illinois; Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York.

Answer: Radioman

Newman first entered the pilot training program at Yale University, in July 1943, but when it was discovered that he was colour blind was transferred to basic training, eventually qualifying as an Aviation Radioman third class. He served in Hawaii with a torpedo bomber squadron, and narrowly missed the Battle of Okinawa (where his squadron suffered heavy casualties) when his pilot developed an ear infection causing his crew to be held back. He left the Navy in 1946.

The image is of the "sparks" insignia of a radioman.

Answer: The Silver Chalice

In the book "This Was Hollywood" (2020), author Carla Valderrama reported that Newman went so far as to take out ads to discourage people from watching the 1963 television broadcast of "The Silver Chalice" (1954), due to his embarrassment at its poor box office results and his own performance. Oddly enough, the ads had the opposite effect, and the television showing was something of a hit.

"The Silver Chalice" was a Biblical tale, and Newman played the part of Basil, a slave who was also a talented sculptor. The film was based on a novel by Thomas B. Costain. Despite his feelings about his performance, Newman won a Golden Globe for the role, as Most Promising Newcomer - Male.

Answer: False

Paul Newman married his first wife, Jackie Witte, in 1949 before his acting career took off. They had three children together, but divorced in 1958, when it became clear that Newman and Woodward, his costar in "The Long Hot Summer" (1958), were "meant for each other". Trite as that sounds, it proved to be true, and their marriage lasted until Newman died in 2008. They also had three children together.

That first film was not their only project together. Paul directed Joanne to an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in "Rachel, Rachel" (1968), and a Golden Globe win for Best Actress-Drama. Newman got a Globe as Best Director. Their daughter, Nell Potts, played Rachel (her mother's role) as a child. Altogether they appeared together in ten movies and one mini-series, and he directed her (but did not appear) in four other films, and produced yet another.

The image of a clock with a red second hand is meant to make you think of a second marriage.

Answer: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Newman's first nomination for an Academy Award, for Best Actor, came for his performance as Brick Pollitt, in the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958). The story revolved around the interactions of the Pollitt family when Brick and his father, Big Daddy Pollitt (Burl Ives) were reunited. Big Daddy was dying, Brick had a drinking problem, and oh yes, a fiery wife called Maggie the Cat (Elizabeth Taylor). Newman lost that year to David Niven in "Separate Tables" (1958).

Paul Newman was Oscar-nominated for all of these choices, and for five other films as well, for acting. "Perdition" was a Supporting Actor nod, the rest were for Best Actor. He also had a nomination as producer of "Rachel, Rachel" (Best Picture).

The image of bricks was meant to make you think of his character in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

Answer: Motor racing

In order not to attract too much attention, Paul Leonard Newman (his full name), used his initials when entering motor races. Having attended racing school to prepare for his role as a driver in "Winning" (1969), he discovered that he loved the sport and decided to take it up, even though he was over 40 at the time. He proved to be the real deal, competing in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) sanctioned races and winning. He won several SCCA championships in his class, and also managed a second place (first in class) at Le Mans in 1979, partnering with team owner Dick Barbour and F1 driver Rolf Stommelen. He continued racing until he was over 80.

He was also part owner of the successful Newman/Haas Racing team, that competed in CART and IndyCar series, winning a number of championships between 1983 and 2011.

The image of a checkered flag should have reminded you of the flag waved as the winner of a race crosses the finish line.

Answer: He gave out wine bottles full of homemade dressing at Christmas.

According to Newman's Own website, Newman and his friend A.E. Hotchner whipped up a batch of homemade dressing at Christmastime in 1980, filled up some wine bottles, and gave them out as Christmas gifts. (The Australian site suggests that an old canoe paddle was used to stir the concoction!) In a nutshell, people liked it and wanted more, and so Newman's Own was born, a couple of years later, with a mission of donating all profits to charity, especially those supporting children.

The image of a red bell pepper with a green stalk was meant to evoke Christmas and lead you to the correct choice.

Answer: "Fast" Eddie Felson

Newman was actually nominated for playing Eddie Felson twice, first in "The Hustler" (1961), his second nomination, then again for "The Color of Money" (1986). It was for this seventh acting nomination that he took home the statue, though he was not on hand to receive it at the awards ceremony.

Eddie Felson was a pool hustler, in both films. In the first he was the young hotshot taking on the likes of Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) to prove himself. In his Oscar-winning iteration he was the old timer, teaching the ropes to a cocky kid named Vincent (Tom Cruise) who reminded him of his younger self.

Of the incorrect choices, only Butch Cassidy didn't garner a nomination for Newman. Frank Galvin was his role in "The Verdict" (1982) and Hud Bannon was from "Hud" (1963).

If you had seen either movie in which Eddie Felson appeared, the image of a pool table would have been of help to you.

Answer: The Sting

In "The Sting" (1973), Newman played Henry Gondorff and Redford was Johnny Hooker. These two were small time con men who teamed up to pull off a much bigger "sting" on the man they held responsible for the death of a friend. Their mark was played by Robert Shaw, and the cast included Ray Walston, Charles Durning and Eileen Brennan. The two heroes put together a team, and an elaborate plot to deceive Shaw's character, but I won't spoil the ending by telling you how it all played out.

Only Newman was in "The Verdict" (1982) and it was Redford alone in "The Candidate" (1972) and "The Natural" (1984).

Jellyfish, like those in the image, have been known to sting.

Answer: Connecticut

Opened by Newman in 1988, near Ashford, CT, the camp was designed to give kids who might not otherwise have the chance an opportunity to experience all the joys of summer camp, while at the same time having medical assistance close by. Programs for parents and healthy siblings to join in were incorporated later. The name of the camp is a reference to the outlaw gang in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward, had relocated from California to Connecticut as early as 1960, so starting the camp in that state made sense. The image is an outline map of the state.

Besides the camp and Newman's Own's contributions to charity, the Scott Newman Foundation (later Center) was set up in 1980 in honour of his only son, who died of an accidental drug overdose at age 28. That entity has sought to educate the public about the dangers of drug use, and to provide support for families adversely affected by substance abuse.

Truly, there was a lot of good behind those blue eyes.