All You Need Is Fear! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

Bulwer-Lytton was a 19th century prolific English writer and fifteen-year member of Parliament. The annual contest for wretched writers has few rules, among which are: the entry may consist of a single sentence, which is preferred to be no longer than 50 to 60 words; 'the official deadline for entries is April 15th, the actual deadline is June 30, and submissions will be accepted every day of the livelong year'. The winner's prize is 'a pittance'. See the website for details and examples of winning entries.

Droste-Hulshoff was a German poet. Gurney was an American playwright. Saint-Saens was a French composer

Answer: Modest Mussourgsky

"Night On Bald Mountain" is a great mood setter for Halloween and other eerie times. The music is ominous, demonic, and strident, but ends on a redemptive note of peace and serenity as the sun rises. The Russian Mussorgsky also wrote "Boris Gudonov" and "Pictures At An Exhibition". He lived from 1839 to 1881, having been addicted to alcohol for many years.

Answer: Kurtz

In his 1902 novella "Heart of Darkness", Conrad refers not to the 'dark continent' of Africa, but to the depths of a man's soul, in particular depravity, brutality and apathy. Kurtz had been a successful ivory trader deep in the (then) Belgian Congo, and the protagonist Marlow is sent to find him and fire him. After many delays during the two months river travel, he finally finds the settlement and is attacked by the natives under Kurtz's control. The attack is called off, and Marlow is told that Kurtz is very sick. Marlow is appalled by what he sees around him as he disembarks to meet Kurtz: native's heads stuck onto poles and other disturbing things make him realise that Kurtz has gone round the bend.

The film "Apocalypse Now" follows the same story line, but is set during the Vietnam War. The ending is the same: "The horror! The horror!"

Answer: Edgar Wallace

Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a successful journalist and writer of crime and detection thrillers. Many of his more than 170 books became best-sellers, such as "The Terror" (1930). He also wrote film scenarios, one of which was for the 1933 film "King Kong".

George Wallace was an American governor in the 20th century south. Lewis Wallace
(1827-1905) was an American soldier, lawyer and novelist; his best known work was "Ben Hur". He was also a governor of New Mexico and of Indiana. Sir William Wallace (ca.1272-1305) was a Scottish patriot known as the Hammer and Scourge of England. The film "Braveheart" was based on his life.

Answer: Wolfgang Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a playwright, novelist and poet. He was also active in scientific research, politics and the theatre. He was a leader in the Sturm und Drang movement. His novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" inspired other works, and also appeared to contribute to a series of suicides among young romantics at the time.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an 18th century Austrian composer. Wolfgang Puck was an Austrian celebrity chef. Wolfgang Ragnhild wasn't.

Answer: T.S. Eliot

"The Wasteland", just a giant ray of sunshine, brightened the horizon in 1971. It had been started in 1922, and was an extremely long harangue with little or no redeeming virtues. With help from Ezra Pound, Eliot whittled it down to half its original length, but it is difficult to read, and presumes the reader to understand many literary references, as well as have knowledge of religion, history, and foreign language quotes. It is the story of a troubled soul in anguish, much like "Ulysses" by James Joyce.

Just wipe that smile off your face and read it. When you're finished, you can read Eliot's merry writings about cats.

Answer: O.J. Simpson

Inducted into the US Football Hall of Fame in 1985, O.J. set and broke some records as an athlete. He went on to acting, sports commentating and being a defendant at the sensational murder trial that occupied the country for many months. Did he or didn't he? Only he knows for sure.

Answer: James Thurber

James Grover Thurber (1894-1961) was an American humorist, essayist, short story writer and artist. Thurber worked for "The New Yorker" magazine for five years, and contributed much to the popularity and iconic status of the publication. His short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" was made into a film. Thurber used wit and humor in everyday situations with ordinary people.

Answer: Fear of Flying

Erica Jong's controversial novel about feminine fantasies and explorations of sexual encounters was quite a revelation when it was published in 1973. It was even a revelation to the protagonist when she was repelled by one of her fantasies coming to life. The novel was widely read and well received, and coined some new phrases for the '70s.

Answer: Cape Fear

Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum and Martin Balsam had cameo roles in the second film, whereas they played major roles in the original. The basic plot is one of revenge and the stalking of an attorney who helped to convict a man of rape, though the crime itself was not mentioned in the first film. The attorney's wife and daughter are also at risk. Robert DeNiro is a very convincing evil dude.
Robert Mitchum earned "Newsweek" magazine's choice as one of the best film villains in the 1962 version, as well as coming in at number 28 in the American Film Industry's Top Fifty Villains.