Movies Set in the USA Midwest Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kansas

"The Wizard of Oz" is the story of a Kansas farm girl who longs to get away from her troubles, even "Over the Rainbow". She is knocked unconscious when a tornado hits the farmhouse where she and her aunt and uncle live. Her dream takes her over the rainbow to the land of Oz. Kansas is in the heart of Tornado Alley, along with Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. "The Wizard of Oz" was filmed in 1939 starring Judy Garland and Ray Bolger. (Duchess716)

Answer: John Hancock Building

The real Richard J. Daley Center figured prominently in the finale. The "Palace Hotel Ballroom" was actually a country club at the time of filming. It later became the South Shore Cultural Center. Ballroom interior shots were filmed at the non-Midwestern, Hollywood Palladium. Bob's Country Bunker, Kokomo, was a fictional country-western bar, built on a Universal Studio lot in Hollywood.

The John Hancock Building, a Chicago landmark did not 'star' in the film. (JMElston)

Answer: Minnesota

Most of the scenes were shot in Minneapolis and include landmarks such as the Crystal Court of the IDS Center and the well known First Avenue Nightclub. None of the scenes were shot beside Lake Minnetonka, to Appolonia Kotero's chagrin. (Prince: "That ain't Lake Minnetonka.") (Spaudrey)

Answer: Iowa

I like to still think of Iowa as a little bit of Heaven. Even twenty years after the movie's release, the baseball field built for and used in the film was still in place near Dyersville, IA. "Field of Dreams" was filmed on location in Dubuque County and in Jo Daviess County.

The main character, Ray Kinsella, a farmer, is seen in Hendricks Feed Store on Central Ave. in Dubuque and using the library at the University of Dubuque. (Spaudrey)

Answer: Fargo

McDormand played a pregnant police chief tracking down inept kidnappers and the sleazy husband of the victim, played by William H Macy. It was set in dead winter in North Dakota known for its brutal winters. (Duchess716)

Answer: Indiana

Set in Bloomington, Indiana, much of the scenery was filmed on the Indiana University (IU) campus. IU has hosted the Little 500 Bicycle Race since 1951--a 200 lap relay race.

Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley, three of the four actors to play best friends in the movie, have had prolific acting careers since their early appearance in "Breaking Away". Haley took a break from acting for several years in 1994 before returning to the screen in 2006 as Rorschach in "The Watchmen", and is slated to become the reincarnation of Freddy Krueger in the new installment of "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies. -(Spaudrey)

Answer: Renee Zellweger

Lucy Hill's task is to oversee the restructuring of a small manufacturing company in New Ulm. At first she faces a cold reception by the locals, but she eventually warms up to the small town's charm and the community learns to accept her. There is an actual city (population 13000) of New Ulm, MN, but the movie was actually filmed in Canada. The wide popularity of ice fishing in the area is, however, very true.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lucy Liu were in "Chicago" (2002) with Renee Zellweger. (eunice2)

Answer: Madison

"The Bridges of Madison County" was a 1995 film based on the mega-selling book of the same name. It earned Meryl Streep an Oscar nomination for her performance. Madison County and Winterset are laden with memorabilia on the wall from their stay there in 1994.

Answer: Meet Me in St. Louis

Garland was directed by her future husband, Vincent Minelli. The film is about four sisters living in St. Louis at the time of the 1904 Worlds Fair. Garland plays Esther Smith, the second of four sisters living a comfortable life in St. Louis. Her father announces he has been transferred to New York and the family will be relocating.

This causes problems for the girls as their friends and love lives are threatened, and Esther will miss the Fair. There are misunderstandings, miscommunications and mischief, but all is well in the end. St. Louis still has a number of landmarks leftover from the 1904 World Fair in Forest Park. (Duchess716)

Answer: A John Deere lawn mower

The reason for the lawn mower was because the lead role, played by Richard Farnsworth, found out his brother had a stroke, but with his legs in such bad shape, the state wouldn't issue him a driver's license. So he hopped on his 30-year old John Deere lawn tractor and traveled 240 miles to see him. The plot was based on a true story. (Spaudrey)