What Year Was It In? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Past

'Gone With The Wind' is a classic American historical film that was released in 1939. The movie, which is set in the American South during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara (played by Vivien Leigh), the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, as she navigates love, loss, and survival. Its memorable cast includes Clark Gable as the rogue Rhett Butler, Leslie Howard as the dashing Ashley Wilkes, and Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Hamilton.

'Gone With The Wind' is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and has won numerous awards, including 10 Academy Awards. The film's iconic status has been cemented by its memorable characters, sweeping cinematography, and timeless themes of love and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Answer: Past and Present

'It's A Wonderful Life' (1946) is a classic Christmas movie that tells the story of George Bailey, a young man running a struggling building and loan firm. When the company misplaces $8,000 on Christmas Eve, George, played by James Stewart, is about to commit suicide when God sends an Angel who is hoping to earn his wings down to earth to show George what life would have been like if he had never been born. The film also starred Donna Reed as George's wife Mary.

Despite being a box office flop when it was first released, the movie has since become a beloved holiday tradition for many families. Interestingly, the film's copyright was not renewed in 1974, which led to it falling into the public domain. This meant that TV stations could air the movie without having to pay any royalties, which helped to increase its popularity even further.

Answer: Present

'The Birds' is a horror-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The movie is based on a story by Daphne du Maurier and revolves around a series of sudden and unexplained violent bird attacks. Starring Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedren, the film was released in 1963 and was a commercial success, grossing over $11 million at the box office. 'The Birds' is considered a classic in the horror genre and is known for its innovative use of special effects and suspenseful storytelling.

The film's success also helped solidify Hitchcock's reputation as a master of suspense.

Answer: Present

'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' (1967) is a movie that explores the issue of interracial marriage, which was a controversial topic during the time it was released. The movie stars Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy, and was directed by Stanley Kramer.

Interestingly, this was Spencer Tracy's last film which he completed just 17 days before he passed away. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning two. It remains a classic film that tackles important social issues.

Answer: Past

'Patton', starring George C. Scott as the United States General George S. Patton, describes Patton's life during World War II (1939-1945). The movie was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and released in 1970. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for George C. Scott's portrayal of Patton. Known for its epic battle scenes and Scott's iconic performance as the controversial and complex military leader, 'Patton' remains a classic war film and a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in World War II.

Answer: Past

In 1974, 'The Godfather Part II' was released as a sequel to the highly successful 'The Godfather' (1972). The film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starred Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Robert Duvall. It tells the story of Michael Corleone's rise to power as the head of the Corleone crime family, while also exploring the early life of his father, Vito Corleone, played by De Niro. This takes place within the first half of the 20th century.

'The Godfather Part II' was a critical and commercial success, winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for De Niro's portrayal of Vito Corleone. 'The Godfather Part II' was followed by 'The Godfather Part III' in 1990. All three films were loosely based on the book 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo, released in 1969.

Answer: Past and Present

'Annie Hall' is a romantic comedy film directed by Woody Allen. It stars Allen himself and Diane Keaton in the lead roles. The film explores the relationship between Alvy Singer (played by Allen) and Annie Hall (played by Keaton) in a non-linear narrative style. 'Annie Hall' was released in 1977 and went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Keaton's performance.

The film is considered a classic in the romantic comedy genre and is often cited as one of Allen's best works.

Answer: Present

Released in 1984, 'The Karate Kid' was the first installment in a film series. Starring Ralph Macchio as the title character, as well as Pat Morita and Elisabeth Shue, the film follows young Daniel LaRusso who moves with his mother to the San Fernando Valley in California, only to become the brunt of bullying at his high school. To save himself and his pride, Daniel becomes the protege of an elderly karate master, Mr. Miyagi.

A box office success and one of the highest-grossing films of 1984, the movie spawned sequels as well as remakes in 2010 and 2025.

Answer: Past

'Driving Miss Daisy' is a movie that explores the relationship between an elderly Jewish woman and her African American chauffeur in the American South during the 1950s and 1960s. The movie won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Makeup.

It was also nominated for Best Actor and Best Director. The movie is based on a play of the same name by Alfred Uhry, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. The movie was directed by Bruce Beresford and starred Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd.

Answer: Present

The movie 'Billy Madison', a comedy film, stars Adam Sandler as the titular character, a man-child who must repeat grades 1-12 in order to inherit his father's hotel empire. The film was a box office success, grossing over $26 million in the US alone.

Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, 'Billy Madison' has since become a cult classic and is often cited as one of Sandler's most iconic roles.