23. Both contestants come out swingin' in round three, to determine who rules in the "Handsome Young Maverick Nicknamed After A State" category. Ricky Nelson and James Caan played 'em. What were their nicknames?
From Quiz Cinema Smackdown 1: "Rio Bravo" vs. "El Dorado"
Answer:
Colorado and Mississippi
Ricky Nelson played Colorado, a hired gun, in "Rio Bravo. Colorado's main objective, during the first part of the film, was to mind his own business and not get involved in the escalating brouhaha. He soon changed his mind after his boss was killed and joined Chance and Dude against the bad guys. James Caan was Mississippi, a somewhat naive young man (completely unskilled with firearms, but pretty darn good with a throwing knife) who was just completing his mission to avenge the murder of his friend and mentor when he met Cole in "El Dorado".
My Prediction and Pick: On paper, Nelson's Colorado seems to be the obvious choice, as the character had a bit more 'style' and 'cool' than Mississippi, as well as being a far better gun-hand (Mississippi couldn't have hit an elephant from three feet). However, Caan was the much better actor, and the comedic timing and dialogue he displayed throughout the film should easily carry him through the round. Besides, this guy is going to grow up to be Sonny Corleone someday, and I'm not about to play with that kind of heat. Go with Mississippi on a unanimous decision; "El Dorado: 3, "Rio Bravo": 0