Movies Q-T: 'Q' Trivia

1. Based on a play by Ronald Harwood, the central storyline in "Quartet" focuses on what type of former celebrity?

From Quiz "Quartet": a Swansong

Answer: Opera singers

While the residents of the retirement house come from all types of musical background, the main story revolves around four former opera singers, who had sung together on many occasions. During one scene, when one of the retired opera singers was speaking with a class of young people, there was a delightful exchange between him and a young rap artist, which highlighted the similarities between the genres.

From Quiz Quo Vadis

Answer: Britain

We learn that Marcus has been fighting in Britain in the next scene, when one of the soldiers at the imperial palace asks him, "Commander, did you fight the Britons with the mass movement?" Marcus replies, "We fought them with our bowels. Try it sometime." There are other references to Marcus' service in Britain during the movie; he remarks that the Britons are very brave, but that their women are unattractive and smear their bodies with animal fat.

From Quiz Quigley Down Under

Answer: A sharpshooter

Marston says all the other applicants sent letters, but Quigley had a 'way with words'. He then shows him the small paper poster he sent in answer to his ad for a marksman. It shows a grouping of bullet holes with the note -"Matthew Quigley 900 yards."

From Quiz Quick Change

Answer: as a clown

The movie opened with Grimm riding on the subway dressed as a clown, carrying a bunch of balloons. As Grimm walked up to the bank's door, the security guard was getting ready to lock up. Grimm blocked the door with his clown shoe and pointed a gun at the guard. He and the guard went inside, but Grimm couldn't convince everyone it really was a robbery until he fired a couple of shots.

From Quiz Queen Kelly

Answer: hay

There's a cart driving by loaded with freshly cut hay. They each grab a handful to wish on. Later in the film, the prince is reminded of his love when he smells the hay.

From Quiz Quick and the Dead

Answer: Russell Crowe

This was one of Russell's earlier works.

From Quiz "Quartet": a Swansong

Answer: Beecham House

The real house used for the film, Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire, served as the fictional Beecham House, supposedly endowed by the great conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham. The idea came from a retirement home in Milan, Italy - the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti - which was endowed by Giuseppe Verdi. This was set up to care and provide for musicians and singers who had fallen on hard times in later life. This charitable institution has continued into the 21st Century. One of the characters in the film mentions how appropriate it is that Sir Thomas inherited his wealth from the family business; manufacturers of laxatives, and of immense benefit to the senior residents!

From Quiz Quo Vadis

Answer: Writing a poem

Nero, played by Peter Ustinov, is writing a poem based on the burning of Troy. He explains to Marcus that he wishes his troops to remain outside the city for a short time because he has planned a triumph for Marcus.

From Quiz Quigley Down Under

Answer: Sharp's buffalo rifle

It's a modified 1874 Sharps buffalo rifle with a 4 inch longer barrel and modified bullets. Marston says it is an experimental weapon with experimental ammunition and doubts its ability. Quigley proves him wrong.

From Quiz Queen Kelly

Answer: That their wedding has been moved up from next autumn to the next day.

The prince clearly doesn't want to marry Regina, so this news is less than well received.

From Quiz Quick and the Dead

Answer: The Preacher

They faked the entire shootout which brought about the final match with Herod.

From Quiz "Quartet": a Swansong

Answer: Annual gala concert

The principal source of funds comes from a yearly gala concert held on Giuseppe Verdi's birthday. In the past, there had been a great deal of support from wealthy patrons; this year, however, ticket sales and interest were flagging. With the arrival at Beecham House of the fourth member of an honoured quartet, it was hoped that their performance of the Quartet from Verdi's Rigoletto would spark renewed patronage from opera lovers.

From Quiz Quo Vadis

Answer: Uncle

When Marcus is announced at the imperial palace, an annoyed Nero asks, "Vinicius? Who is Marcus Vinicius?" Petronius answers, "My nephew, divinity, just returned with his legion from Britain." Petronius, played by Leo Genn, was based upon Gaius Petronius Arbiter (27 - 66 AD). Petronius was Nero's arbiter of elegance, and served as counsel in 62 AD. He is believed to be the author of the "Satyricon", a novel set during the reign of Nero. Both Genn and Ustinov received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "Quo Vadis", but lost to Karl Malden for his performance in "A Streetcar Named Desire".

From Quiz Quigley Down Under

Answer: To shoot aborigines

Marston has not stated this in his advertisements, placed in papers all over the world. He merely says what is wanted is a marksman.

From Quiz Quick Change

Answer: Loomis beeped the car horn.

Having escaped by disguising themselves as released hostages, Grimm, Phyllis and Loomis celebrated their success. Grimm needed to place a call to Chief Rotzinger before the Chief suspected that the bank robber was already out. During the call, Grimm told the Chief that the monster truck didn't have a tilting hydraulic body, buying himself more time. The Chief said that would take a while to get, but just before Grimm hung up the phone, Loomis accidentally leaned on the car horn. Grimm tried to cover, but the Chief heard it and figured out that "Skip" wasn't in the bank. Grimm told Loomis he could've had Rotzinger believing he was still in there all night.

From Quiz Queen Kelly

Answer: They set off the fire alarm.

First they wave some burning paper around the halls to get the place smoky. Then they set off the fire alarms. They were just trying to get Kelly out so the prince could see her again.

From Quiz Quick and the Dead

Answer: Scar

Scar had just escaped from prison.

From Quiz "Quartet": a Swansong

Answer: Gwyneth Jones

Gwyneth Jones started singing professionally in 1962, and was still performing in 2016. Her role as Maggie Smith's former rival, Anne Langley, in "Quartet" was critically acclaimed at the Cannes Film Festival. Maggie (as Jean) directed several bitchy (and funny) remarks at Anne. All four of the central figures in the movie have had long acting careers, but none of these has been acclaimed as a singer. It should however be noted that most of the residents at Beecham House had enjoyed musical and theatrical careers in real life, and in the film performed some of the acts that were highlights of their careers. The closing credits were fascinating, showing the cast in their heyday, alongside their photos at the time of the movie. Gwyneth Paltrow did not perform in "Quartet".

From Quiz Quigley Down Under

Answer: Australia

The ship lands in Freemantle on the west coast of Australia and after traveling for a time in the bullock cart, Quigley asks when they will get to the ranch. The man answers they have been on Marston's ranch for three days.

From Quiz Quick Change

Answer: The yuppie robbed them.

After the phone incident, all they had to do was drive to the airport to catch their plane for Fiji. Loomis missed the exit for the BQE because of construction, and then they spent awhile riding around looking for something familiar. Grimm figured it would be safe to talk to the yuppie because the guy had Iowa plates on his car. Grimm walked over to where the man had laid out a map, but after asking about Iowa, Grimm was told by the man that the car was stolen. The yuppie then pulled out a gun and robbed them of their suitcases. He didn't get the money from the bank robbery because Grimm, Loomis and Phyllis had it taped under their clothing.

From Quiz Queen Kelly

Answer: the palace

He takes her to the queen's palace to 'revive' her, which probably wasn't the greatest idea considering Queen Regina's jealous temperament.

From Quiz Quick and the Dead

Answer: gun shop

He sold The Preacher his gun for the competition.

From Quiz "Quartet": a Swansong

Answer: Dustin Hoffman

After 50 years as an accomplished actor playing a wide variety of parts, Dustin Hoffman directed "Quartet" - his first movie in that role. Although it seems rather incongruous, with an American directing an entirely English crew in such a very English movie, the formula appears to have worked well. Listening to interviews, it appears to have been an enjoyable set to work on, and that the actors were delighted to be directed by Hoffman, with his wealth of acting experience.

From Quiz Quo Vadis

Answer: Teacher

Marcus asks Paul what he does, and Paul replies that he is a rabbi. Marcus then asks, "What in the name of old Jupiter is a rabbi?" Before Paul can respond, Plautius says that he is a teacher, and that he teaches philosophy. Paul seems amused by this, and asks Lygia, "Did you know that all this time I've been teaching you philosophy?"

From Quiz Quigley Down Under

Answer: Laura San Giacomo

Though her husband put her on the first ship out of port, Cora is a kind hearted loving person who defends the aborigines when they are threatened. She has been given the name Crazy Cora because of her actions and ramblings about Roy, her husband. It becomes fairly plain in the movie her actions have been a defense mechanism to enable her to survive. Laura San Giacomo might be remembered as Kit De Luca from "Pretty Woman". The streetwalker who befriends Julia Robert's character and teaches her the 'business'. She was also Maya on "Just Shoot Me".

From Quiz Quick Change

Answer: the car

Since their suitcases were stolen, Phyllis suggested they stop by her old apartment because she had left some clothing there. Loomis parked the car in front of a fire hydrant, thinking they would only be a few minutes. While waiting for Phyllis and Grimm, Loomis noticed smoke from a building across the street. Meanwhile, the new tenants came in and were convinced they were being robbed because Grimm was holding their TV. The man held a gun on them while Grimm tried to convince the couple they weren't burglars. Phyllis, Grimm and Loomis watched from the window as the fire department pushed their car away from the hydrant. They kept watching as it rolled down the street and over an embankment.

From Quiz Queen Kelly

Answer: whip

She takes a whip (maybe a riding crop) off a wall and hits them with it. She didn't seem to quite know how to use it, though, else they would have sustained more physical damage. When she pursued Kelly with it in the hall, she seemed to have gotten the hang of it better.

From Quiz Quick and the Dead

Answer: The Preacher

It did take two bullets though.

From Quiz "Quartet": a Swansong

Answer: Pauline Collins

Pauline Collins played Cissy to perfection, with her beatific smile and ditzy lines. As with many people with early symptoms of dementia, her character drifted between clear recall and total loss of the plot. The tragedy of memory loss was offset by the good humour displayed by her character and the witty lines of her companions.

From Quiz Quigley Down Under

Answer: She smothered their son

Cora had hidden in the root cellar when Indians came to her cabin while her husband, Roy Cobb, was out hunting. The baby wouldn't stop crying and she covered its mouth to save them from discovery. After the Indians left, she discovered that she had smothered their son. Her husband accused her of killing their son to save herself.

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