Science Fiction/Double Feature Quiz

Answer: Michael Rennie

"Michael Rennie was ill the day the Earth stood still, but he told us where we stand."

Actor Michael Rennie (1909-1971) may be best known for his role as Klaatu in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951). Before and after that film, Rennie starred in other films such as "I'll Be Your Sweetheart" (1945) and "Les Miserables". One of his roles that I am more familiar with is his turn as the Sandman on the "Batman" live-action television series.

In the film "The Day the Earth Stood Still", Klaatu is a visitor from an alien world. He has come to warn the people of the Earth to move from war to peace. The difficulty that Klaatu had in carrying out this mission drove much of the plot of the film.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" also includes several characters who were aliens.

Answer: Flash Gordon

"Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear."

Alex Raymond created the comic strrip character of Flash Gordon in 1934. Though a native of Earth, most of Flash's adventures with his friends Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov take place on the fictional planet of Mongo. The comic strip would run for nearly 70 years in newspapers.

Swimmer turned actor Buster Crabbe portrayed Flash Gordon in three pre-World War 2 movie serials: "Flash Gordon" (1936), "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" (1938), and "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" (1940). A costume used in this serial was a metallic-appearing jumpsuit.

Just as Flash Gordon was the human hero of the film, Brad Majors could appear on the surface to be the human protagonist in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".

Answer: Claude Rains

"Claude Rains was the invisible man."

Actor Claude Rains (1889-1967) portrayed the titular character in the 1933 film "The Invisible Man". A native of Britain, Rains also appeared in film such as "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), "The Wolf Man" (1941), and "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965). He was a four-time Academy Award nominee, though he was not the winner any of those times.

"The Invisible Man" was based on the short novel of the same name written by H. G. Wells. Rains portrayed Dr. Griffin, a scientist who developed a invisibility serum. The increasing insanity that Griffin shows through the course of the film helped to drive the plot. Clever use of the technology of the day created the ability to show Griffin as actually "invisible".

Dr. Griffin, like Dr. Frank-N-Furter, was an intelligent, though dangerous, scientist.

Answer: Fay Wray

"Then something went wrong for Fay Wray and King Kong."

Canadian Fay Wray (1907-2004) is most associated with the 1933 film "King Kong". Her film career extended from the era of silent movies until the early 1980s. Later in her career, she appeared more often on television.

"King Kong" was both the name of the film and the name of a giant ape-like creature. Kong shows both interest and affection for actress Ann Darrow (Fay Wray). King Kong is eventually brought to New York City, where the most famous scene of the movie occurs. The film was released by RKO Radio Pictures.

The RKO logo appears in a scene of the film. In some ways, Janet Weiss serves the same "damsel in distress" role as Fay Wray. The character of Rocky Horror demonstrates some of the inarticulateness and fear/anger as King Kong.

Answer: Anne Francis

"Anne Francis stars in 'Forbidden Planet'."

Actress Anne Francis (1930-2011) was a star of both the movie "Forbidden Planet" (1956) and the television series "Honey West" 1965-1966). Other films in which she starred included "Bad Day at Black Rock" (1955) and "Blackboard Jungle" (1955). Her career continued into the early 21st century.

"Forbidden Planet" was inspired by the Shakespearean play "The Tempest". Anne Francis plays Altaira, the daughter of Dr Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), a scientist who has been investigation the mental technology created by the long dead alien race who once inhabited the planet on which the two lived. Commander Adams (Leslie Nielsen when he still played mostly dramatic roles) completed the leading trio.

The dangerous scientist. The hero and heroine. These can be found in both "Forbidden Planet" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".

Answer: Leo G. Carroll

"I knew Leo G. Carroll was over a barrel when Tarantula took to the hills."

Leo G. Carroll (1886-1972) appeared in several Hitchcock movies, including "North by Northwest" and "Strangers on a Train". He also appeared in the long running stage play "Angel Street" (also known as 'Gaslight'). In "Tarantula!", he played Prof. Deemer.

"Tarantula!" (1955) is about a scientist who is developing a miracle nutrient to help feed humanity. A tarantula test subject has consumed some of the nutrient and grows to enormous size after escaping. In terms of special effects, a live tarantula was used for shots of the animal moving and models were used for close-ups.

Interestingly, while "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" had some special effects such as the laser beams fired from laser pistols, it was not really a special effects heavy film.

Answer: Janette Scott

"I saw Janette Scott fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills."

Actress Janette Scott (born 1938) had a career that was most successful in the 1950s and 1960s. Her films include"The Devil's Disciple" (1959), "School for Scoundrels" (1960), and "The Day of the Triffids" (1962). Singer Mel Torme was her second husband.

John Wyndham wrote the 1951 novel of the same name was the basis for the film "The Day of the Triffids". A triffid is a plant that is capable of independent movement and at least some ability to think. That sets the plot into motion.

Like "The Day of the Triffids", in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", things are not always what they seem.

Answer: Dana Andrews

"Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes, and passing them used lots of skills."

American actor Dana Andrews (1909-1992) is known for his film roles including in "Laura" (1944) and "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). After his film career went on the wane in the 1950s, he moved into television roles. His final acting roles were in the early 1980s.

The 1957 film was known in Britain as "Night of the Demon" and in the United States as Curse of the Demon". The film was adapted from a short story known as "Casting the Runes". In the film an investigator is trying to find out the truth about a Satanic cult.

While not Satanic, the Transylvanians in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" do seem a bit cult like with so many at the castle with Frank-n-Furter and the others.

Answer: George Pal

"But when worlds collide, said George Pal to his bride."

George Pal (1908-1980) was a film director and producer. Born in Hungary, his career began in Europe before moving to the United States in 1939. His films included "When Worlds Collide" (1951), "War of the Worlds" (1953), and "The Time Machine" (1960).

The film looks at a group of people who are attempting to take a spacecraft to an alien world. They believe that the Earth is on a collision course with a rogue star/planet combo. Will they find an uninhabited world if they reach their destination?

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" features the interactions of humans from Earth with aliens from the planet Transylvania of the Transsexual galaxy.

Answer: Charles Atlas

"Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the hand" -- "Charles Atlas Song (reprise)"

Charles Atlas is not mentioned in the song "Science Fiction/Double Feature". Charles Atlas (1892-1972) was a 20th century bodybuilder who actively advertised in popular magazines and newspapers that he could sell the reader the secrets to building up one's physique. The ads often featured the proverbial 97-lb. weakling who built up his body after being attacked by a muscle-bound bully at the beach.

Rocky Horror himself is the subject of the Charles Atlas Song. Frank has designed the handsome, muscular Rocky to be his servant/plaything.