Movie Firsts and Debuts Trivia

1. Which pair has two films with Humphrey Bogart as a boat captain?

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "To Have and Have Not" and "The African Queen"

All listed movies are star vehicles for the man who became Hollywood's number one star, but the second movie in each incorrect pair does not feature Bogie on a boat. "To Have and Have Not" (1944) has Bogie on the island of Martinique, which is part of occupied France during WWII. While operating a small charter fishing boat, he gets involved with helping the French resistance against the Germans, and has a hot romance with a sultry singer who is hanging around the local bar at loose ends. She is played by Lauren Bacall, making her film debut. "The African Queen" (1951) is set in German occupied North Africa during World War One. Bogart plays a hard drinking steamboat captain who delivers supplies to a missionary village. When the Germans burn the village, Bogie helps the surviving female missionary (Kate Hepburn) to escape, and they go on a treacherous river journey trying to reach safety. They develop a tender relationship despite their opposite personalities. Bogart received his only Best Actor Oscar for this role.

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: The Silver Chalice

In 1954 Paul Newman played the Greek slave, Basil, in "The Silver Chalice". I guess slaves were too poor to have a last name! Basil is a skilled artisan and he is given a chance to "cast and engrave Jesus' cup" from the Last Supper. Alas, all does not go smoothly (or there would be no movie). Newman later appeared as Rocky in the fight film "Somebody Up There Likes Me" in 1956, the story of Rocky Graziano. In 1958 he played Ben Quick in the "Long, Hot Summer" from a book by William Faulkner; and that same year he was Brick Pollitt in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

From Quiz Movie Stars and Their First Film Roles

Answer: Tall Story

Redford was unknown at the time but his first screen role was in the movie "Tall Story" from 1960. It was a comedy that was shot in black and white. In the movie Redford was uncredited and his role was as a basketball player. This film starred Anthony Perkins as well as Jane Fonda in her film debut. Ray Walston is also in the movie. Anthony Perkins has a role as a basketball star at Custer College. Jane Fonda is husband-hunting and has her eye on Perkins. The rest of the story revolves around whether or not Perkins will accept a bribe to throw the basketball game against a visiting Russian team. Redford was born August 18, 1936.

From Quiz Role Reversals on the Silver Screen

Answer: John Travolta

Hanks picked up one of the six Oscars (Best Actor) that 'Forest Gump' earned after its 1994 release. The others were Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Writing and Best Film. Travolta seemed to be a serial turner-downer of roles. He rejected the leads in 'Days of Heaven' (1978), 'American Gigolo' (1989) and 'An Officer and A Gentleman' (1982). I hope Richard Gere was suitably thankful when he landed all three. Travolta also said no to 'Splash' in 1984, and again Hanks was the beneficiary. On the other side of the coin, Travolta was not first choice for the role of Vincent Vega in 'Pulp Fiction' in 1994, but got it when Michael Madsen passed. Much of the information used in this quiz was taken from 'Top movie role reversals', by Andrew Banks of news.com.au, June 12, 2007. [www.news.com.au/entertainment]

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "The Usual Suspects" and "The Sixth Sense"

The first of all these pairs includes a great surprise (although with "The Crying Game", it comes in the middle of the movie rather than at the end). "The Sixth Sense" is the only one of the second movies that qualifies. I will not spoil the endings of these films for you. "The Usual Suspects" (1995) is a suspenseful crime drama starring Kevin Spacey as the cripple Verbal Kint, who is being grilled by a police officer throughout the film, with the action occurring in flashback. "The Sixth Sense" (1999) is a supernatural thriller starring Bruce Willis as a psychologist and Haley Joel Osment as a young boy with the ability to see and speak to spirits.

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: Meryl Streep

In 1977 Meryl Streep played Anne Marie in a small role opposite Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave in the biopic "Julia". This was an Oscar winning drama written by Lillian Hellman (who was played by Fonda) who goes to Russia and is reunited with Julia, her childhood friend. Lillian was then asked to help smuggle money into Germany to help fight against the Nazis. Her lover, Dashiell Hammett, was played by Jason Robards. The other incorrect choice (to confuse you) was Vanessa Redgraves' younger sister, Lynn, who had a hit with "Georgy Girl" in 1966.

From Quiz Movie Stars and Their First Film Roles

Answer: Mac and Me

This one may have been a bit tricky. "Mac and Me" from 1988 is a movie more geared towards children. MAC stood for "Mysterious Alien Creature". He escaped from NASA agents and was befriended by a paraplegic boy in a wheelchair. Jennifer Aniston appeared very briefly as an uncredited extra. You can view her brief appearance online. If you blink your eyes, you will miss the side view of her head and face so pay close attention. She appears during the McDonald's dance number scene in the movie. Aniston was born February 11, 1969.

From Quiz Enter Stage Right [3]

Answer: Give Us the Moon

"Moon", released in 1944, starred Margaret Lockwood as Simmons' older sister who shields and assists a group of folks who eschew the concept of working for a living. Simmons also had roles in the other three films listed, which all were released in 1960. In "Gantry" she played Sister Sharon Falconer opposite actor Burt Lancaster. In "Spartacus" she played Varinia alongside legendary actors Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier. In "Greener" she played Hattie Durant; the film also starred actors Cary Grant and Robert Mitchum and actress Deborah Kerr. She was nominated twice for Oscars but did not win any. Her first nomination was for her supporting role as Ophelia in 1948's "Hamlet" and her second nomination was for her lead role in 1969's "The Happy Ending".

From Quiz Role Reversals on the Silver Screen

Answer: Burt Reynolds

In the 1970s, Reynolds passed on the chance to play 007 and was not interested in 'Star Wars'. He also walked away from Kevin Kline's role in 'Soapdish' (1991) and Bruce' Willis's part in 'Die Hard' (1998). In 1983, Jack Nicholson won an Academy Award for the role in 'Terms of Endearment' that Reynolds rejected. Nicholson also benefited when he was preferred to Reynolds for a role in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975) - the director had wanted Reynolds but the studio did not think he was enough of a pull at the box office. On the other hand Reynolds got a part in 'Deliverance' (1972) after three other actors, Marlon Brando, James Stewart and Henry Fonda, turned it down.

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "The Godfather" and "The Godfather Part II"

"Godfather II" is one of the few sequels that film critics generally agree measures up to the original. Accordingly, both films were recognized with the Best Picture Oscar, in 1973 and 1975 respectively. The "Godfather" film series consists of three movies about an Italian mafia crime family and its operation in America. It's based on a book by Mario Puzo, and Francis Ford Coppola directs all three films. "The Godfather" features Marlon Brando as Don Corleone, the head of the family. The portrayal is truly one of filmdom's iconic performances. "Godfather II" is both a sequel and a prequel. It details how the original don got to America and takes up the action after he dies and his son, played by Al Pacino, takes over the operation of the business. Of the other listed films, only "Rocky" won Best Picture, although "Star Wars" (1977 release) garnered ten Oscar nominations including Best Picture, and won in six categories.

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: Carbon Copy

"Carbon Copy" (1981) features a very young Denzel Washington as Roger Porter, who learns that his biological father is Walter Whitney (George Segal), who happens to be a very 'white' business executive who lives in a Southern California suburb (also very 'white'). When Whitney learns of his progeny he is shocked but welcomes the teenager into his home. Unfortunately, his wife, Mrs. Whitney, is not nearly so accepting and throws them both out of the house. On top of that, Walter gets fired by his racist boss. Denzel's other films: "A Soldier's Story" as PFC Petersen (1984), "Cry Freedom" as Steve Biko, and "The Mighty Quinn" as Xavier Quinn (1989).

From Quiz Movie Stars and Their First Film Roles

Answer: The Devil's Rain

John's first professional acting role was in the musical comedy "Bye Bye Birdie" from 1970; his fist significant film role was as Billy Nolan in the movie "Carrie" from 1976. However, John's very first film role, a very minor role, was as Danny in "The Devil's Rain" from 1975. It was one of those low budget horror films also known as a B Movie. Oddly enough the cast was quite excellent for a movie such as this. Other actors were William Shatner, Ernest Borgnine, Keenan Wynn, Ida Lupino, Tom Skerritt, and Eddie Albert. Another cast member as well as the film's technical adviser, was none other than the renowned Satanist Anton LaVey. LaVey founded the Church of Satan and also authored a book titled "The Satanic Bible". LaVey also released several recordings. One was a vinyl LP titled "The Satanic Mass". "The Devil's Rain" received terrible reviews. Vincent Canby with the "New York Times" said "'The Devil's Rain' is ostensibly a horror film, but it barely manages to be a horror...It is as horrible as watching an egg fry". I have not seen this movie but read that it's about a group of Satanists with a 300-year-old warlock (Ernest Borgnine) as its leader. He is searching for a book that has a list of all the people in it who sold their souls to the devil. One would think that "The Devil's Rain" was the rain that melted the Satanists. According to Wikipedia "The Devil's Rain" is actually a bottle that contains all of the souls that are already damned. Travolta was born February 18, 1954.

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "North Dallas Forty" and "Invincible"

"Invincible" (2006) chronicles the true story of Vince Papale, a South Philly kid who tried out for, and made, the Eagles team as a free agent in 1976. It stars Mark Wahlberg as Vince and Greg Kinnear as coach Dick Vermeil. "North Dallas Forty" is a fictionalized account of the Dallas Cowboys, who in the Sixties and early Seventies became the iconic franchise of the NFL, often referred to as "America's Team", much to the disgust and chagrin of their rivals in other cities. The latter film stars Mac Davis and Nick Nolte, respectively, as the star quarterback and the iconoclastic receiver bucking the organization.

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: Bette Davis

Way back in 1931 Bette Davis first appeared on the screen as Laura Madison in "The Bad Sister". This was also actress Sydney Fox's film debut (though obviously, without quite the same success). Sydney actually has the title role as the 'bad sister', debutante Marianne Madison, who falls for a con man named Valentine Corliss (Humphrey Bogart). Now Corliss has a plan to get the girls' father to support a money-making scheme, and then runs away with the 'loot' and Marianne, but (in these days Bogart was a 'bad guy') then he dumps her. Marianne comes back to town and marries some rich guy. Enter Dr. Lindley who loves Marianne, but now turns his attention to Laura...did you forget Bette?

From Quiz Movie Stars and Their First Film Roles

Answer: The Bad Sister

The first film role for Bette Davis was as Laura Madison in "The Bad Sister" from 1931. This film had a good cast with Conrad Nagel, Zazu Pitts, Humphrey Bogart, and a few others. The plot had to do with a con artist who charms his way into the good graces of the naive Marianne Madison and gets her to marry him. Her father is wealthy and quite prominent. The con artist, Valentine, talks her into forging her father's name onto a letter of endorsement. He shows this letter to local merchants who all most willingly give him merchandise. Valentine winds up leaving her on their wedding night. His next unknowing victim is Marianne's younger sister Laura, played by Bette Davis. Davis was born April 5, 1908.

From Quiz Role Reversals on the Silver Screen

Answer: Sally Field

Meanwhile, Judd turned down Pamela Anderson's role in TV's 'Home Improvements', while Fonda also preferred movies over TV's 'Ally McBeal'. Helen Hunt beat Teri Hatcher to the role of Jamie Buchman in 'Mad About You' (1992).

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "10 Things I Hate About You" and "West Side Story"

"West Side Story" is the 1961 musical film dramatization of Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet". The feuding families of the play have been replaced by the Sharks and the Jets, two rival youth gangs. The film adopts a contemporary setting in a gritty, changing New York neighborhood where racial animosity and gang violence are becoming the norm for the kids who live there. The two lovers are an American boy and a Puerto Rican girl, and although the result of their doomed love is predictable, the drama is powerfully realized in the film. "10 Things I Hate About You", the 1999 romantic comedy starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, retells "The Taming of the Shrew". The movie's plot loosely follows the play. A new kid at a high school (Cameron) wants to date the hot girl (Bianca) he falls for, but is put off by an overprotective father, who insists she cannot date until her older sister (Kat) does first. In order to get what he wants, Cameron must convince someone else to date the "unattractive" older sister, whose sour attitude stems from earlier disappointment in love. Sneaky plots and payoffs abound as various people get involved in trying to "tame the shrew" i.e. get Kat to date. The movie almost matches the convoluted plot twists and misunderstandings which make the play one of the bard's most entertaining. The other choices have a Shakespearean adaptation as the first movie and a film inspired by a different author's classic literary work listed second: "My Fair Lady" - "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw "Apocalypse Now" - "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad "O Brother Where Art Thou" - "Ulysses" by Homer

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: Spencer Tracy

It appears that Humphrey Bogart was in a few stars' debut films (see Question #4), including (surprisingly) Spencer Tracy. In this somewhat convoluted plot, Steve Jordan (Bogart) is a former felon who is being blackmailed about his past so he will commit another crime. In order to 'save' him, two convicts, i.e., Saint Louis (Spencer Tracy) and Dannemora Dan (Warren Hymer?) break out of prison. Saint Louis cautions Steve not to commit the violent crime: "Steve, did you ever see a guy go to the 'chair'? Huh? Well I did... Let me tell ya, it's no picnic." Tracy had to take a two week leave of absence from a Broadway show to be in this film.

From Quiz Movie Stars and Their First Film Roles

Answer: Brown of Harvard

John Wayne's first film role was in the 1926 sports drama movie "Brown of Harvard". He played a Yale football player and it was an uncredited role. John can be seen playing football in the game sequence of the film. John Wayne's final role was in a movie titled "The Shootist". He was born May 26, 1907.

From Quiz Role Reversals on the Silver Screen

Answer: Charlie Sheen

Maybe Sheen was right about 'Indecent Proposal'. Although it won six awards, three of them were 'Razzies', including Harrelson for 'worst supporting actor'. Sheen had also been considered for Tom Cruise's role in 'Born On The Fourth of July' (1989).

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "Gilda" and "Mildred Pierce"

The second film in each wrong answer is a classic Western, in color, and therefore in no way "film noir". The other five films, including the two in the correct answer, are film noir. Film noir (literally "black cinema") is a term coined by French critics to describe the late 1930s and 1940s American crime dramas proliferating in Hollywood. These black and white movies generally have a dark look to them and use harsh, unadorned settings and lots of shadow to convey an uneasy or forbidding mood. Often the characters are involved with shady dealings and behavior of questionable morality. "Gilda" (1946) is a tale of gambling, espionage and treachery set in Argentina. It stars Glen Ford as a small time con-man who becomes the assistant of a shady casino operator. The noir action gets really interesting when it turns out the owner's wife (played by Rita Hayworth) has a past connection with Ford's character, who is trying to go straight. This film is a tour de force for Hayworth, who was at the height of her popularity as a Hollywood sex symbol. It includes one of the most sizzling moments in classic cinema, when she sings "Put the Blame on Mame". "Mildred Pierce" (1945) is a quintessential noir film, perhaps less well known by casual movie fans. It's key element is the relationship between Mildred, a business woman played with scary controlled anger by Joan Crawford, and her amoral, materialistic daughter. This is a great movie to notice how director Michael Curtiz uses light, shadow, sound and setting to create a dark, threatening mood which enhances the unsavory behavior of the protagonists, and heightens the suspense for the film viewer.

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: Satisfaction

I always thought "Mystic Pizza" was Julia Roberts' debut film released on October 21, 1988, but, according to IMDb, she was in the movie "Satisfaction" as Daryle. "Satisfaction" was released on February 12, 1988 and Julia Roberts was billed, although it was Justine Bateman who played the lead. Bateman played Jennie Lee, the lead singer of a band called Mystery, who falls for bar owner Martin Falcon (played by Liam Neeson!). Anyway, the band gets offered a gig in Europe which could make them famous, but which would take Jennie away from Martin. Other Julia Roberts' movies: "Steel Magnolias" as Shelby (1989) and "Sleeping with the Enemy" as Laura Burney (1991).

From Quiz Movie Stars and Their First Film Roles

Answer: Shout

Gwyneth's first role was with John Travolta in the movie "Shout" from 1991. The movie also included stars Heather Graham and Linda Fiorentino. Her mother is the famed actress Blythe Danner and her father Bruce Paltrow who was a director and producer. The movie takes place in mid 1950s Texas on a Boys Farm. Travolta is a music teacher who eventually introduces them all to rock & roll. Gwyneth was born September 27, 1972.

From Quiz Role Reversals on the Silver Screen

Answer: Shirley Temple

The movie won two Oscars, including Best Song for 'Over The Rainbow'. The documentary 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic' (1990 TV production) claimed that while the studio wanted Temple, Mervyn LeRoy (an uncredited director) listened to Temple sing at an unofficial audition, but decided she was not right for the part.

From Quiz Movie Pairs for Movie Buffs

Answer: "Pleasantville" and "The Wizard of Oz"

The second film in each incorrect pair is a classically and purely black and white movie from the first half of the 20th century. All the other films do make use of both color and B/W modalities. "Pleasantville" and "The Wizard of Oz" are very different films, but the transitions between color and black and white are integral to both. In "Pleasantville" (1998), the main characters are magically transported to an idealized 1950s black and white television world where everything seems perfect. As reality starts to intrude, the one dimensional characters start to develop flaws and they become colorized. Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire are the central actors involved in this interesting concept movie. Here's a fun fact for those who like to scrutinize film errors. The basketball court in the fifties part of the movie has a three point line painted on it, which wasn't even thought of at that time. A climactic and transformative scene takes place in "The Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy opens the farm house door onto the world of Oz. The dazzling, vibrant color scene contrasts totally with the drab, sepia tones from before, making a step into the fantasy world the beginning of an enchanting journey which has thrilled so many film viewers, young and old. Full disclosure: I never saw this movie as a child, and through my cynical 20s, considered it a badge of honor to have avoided it. Although I still don't consider it as one of the greatest films of all time, I've gotten past the corniness and do appreciate and enjoy it. For a detailed explanation of exactly how the transformation from black and white to color was realized by the filmmakers, see the "Birth.Movies.Death" website.

From Quiz Film Debuts of the Stars

Answer: Morgan Freeman

"Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!" is a 1971 movie starring Jack Klugman as Barney whose 'rainbow' is a pony farm in the middle of Manhattan, as he tries to raise money for kids. Morgan Freeman plays the role of 'Afro' but, apart from that, plot information on this movie is extremely sketchy since it played in movie theaters as a double bill, and only for a very short time. I find it interesting that I can get so much more detail on films from the 1930s! Morgan Freeman has been around a long time and, in the 1970s, was on the TV show "The Electric Company", with characters like 'Easy Reader'. In 2004 he won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in "Million Dollar Baby".

From Quiz Enter Stage Right [3]

Answer: The Geisha Boy

1958's "Boy" had Lewis playing Gilbert Woolley, a less than stellar magician who, while entertaining troops stationed in the pacific, becomes enamored with a young orphan boy. Pleshette's character is a female army sergeant on the same entertainment tour. The other three listed movies are also Jerry Lewis film comedies and were all released in 1960 but Pleshette was not in them. Probably her most memorable movie role was a supporting one as school teacher Annie Hayworth in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor were the leads in the movie. She is best known for her television work as Emily Hartley on "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972 to 1978).

From Quiz Role Reversals on the Silver Screen

Answer: Steven Seagal

Sly Stallone, Burt Reynolds and Arnold Schwarzenegger - and Richard Gere - all passed on the chance to wander around in a dirty undershirt. The four movies in the series: "Die Hard' (1988), 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' (1990), 'Die Hard With A Vengeance' (1995) and 'Live Free Or Die Hard' (2007) grossed $1,122,739,477 worldwide at the box office.

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