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Michael Powell Trivia Quiz

Michael Powell was one of the most groundbreaking filmmakers in English history. He is one of my favorites, and this quiz is my valentine to the late great artist.

A multiple-choice quiz by tjoebigham. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
tjoebigham

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
22,641

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
360

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Who was the partner who shared writing, directing and producing credits with Powell? Hint

Ernest B. Schoedsack

Roy Boulting

Frank Launder

Emeric Pressburger

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Question 2 of 15

2. What was the name of their production company? Hint

Figaro Films

Winchester Films

The Archers

ARKO Pictures

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Question 3 of 15

3. What is the title of their first full-lenghth collaboration under the logo of their production company in 1943? Hint

The Volunteer

The Thief of Bagdad

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

The Lion Has Wings

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Question 4 of 15

4. Which Master of Suspense did Powell know and work with, and what thriller of the former did Powell influence? Hint

James Whale, "Frankenstein"

George Cukor, "A Double Life"

Anatole Litvak, "Sorry Wrong Number"

Alfred Hitchcock, "Blackmail"

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Question 5 of 15

5. Which Indian actor made two films with Powell? Hint

Veejay Armitraj

Jay Silverheels

Victor Bannerjee

Sabu

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Question 6 of 15

6. Name David Niven's character in "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946). Hint

Sammy Rice

Mark Lewis

Peter D. Carter

Julian Craster

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Question 7 of 15

7. "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946): who was the Heavenly Messenger sent to fetch Niven to the afterlife? Hint

Dudley

Clarence Goodbody

Mr. Jordan

Conductor 71

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Question 8 of 15

8. "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946): what did Dr. Reeves, who took on Niven's case on earth and later defended him in the Heavenly Court, use to spy on his town? Hint

camera obscura

binoculars

telescope

tv camera

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who wrote the fairy tale on which the Archers' most popular film, "The Red Shoes" (1948), is based? Hint

Brothers Grimm

Peter S. Beagle

L. Frank Baum

Hans Christian Andersen

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Question 10 of 15

10. What was the name of the ballerina in "Red Shoes" and who played her? Hint

Vicky Page, Moira Shearer

Alex. Jennifer Beals

Coppelia, Margot Fonteyn

Clara, Margaret Illman

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which 1960 thriller was directed by Powell but written by Leo Marks? Hint

Silence of the Lambs

Psycho

Peeping Tom

Endless Night

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Question 12 of 15

12. The 1960 thriller directed by Powell and written by Leo Marks: according to the film's psychotic main character, Mark, what is the most frightening thing in the world? Hint

spiders

heights

the color red

fear

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Question 13 of 15

13. Name the American filmmaker who was a fan of Powell's and became a close friend? Hint

John Ford

Peter Bogdonovich

Howard Hawks

Martin Scorsese

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Question 14 of 15

14. What is the epitaph on Powell's gravestone? Hint

I'd rather be in Philadelphia

I Tried

Film Director and Optimist

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille

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Question 15 of 15

15. Which one of these actresses shares a bithday with Powell? Hint

Vivian Leigh

Moira Shearer

Jean Simmons

Deborah Kerr

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the partner who shared writing, directing and producing credits with Powell?

Answer: Emeric Pressburger

Powell and Pressburger first teamed up for '49th Parallel' (1941), though Powell got sole directing credit.

2. What was the name of their production company?

Answer: The Archers

Powell and Pressburger are also known as 'The Archers'; their logo of an arrow in the bull's-eye is known to cineasts the world over. In the first volume of his autobiography "A Life In Movies", Powell wrote that he didn't recall whether it was he or Pressburger who came up with the idea for the logo, but that it was probably inspired by the scene in "Thief of Baghdad" where mounted archers are clearing a square in Basra for the procession of the Princess (June Duprez) to pass.

3. What is the title of their first full-lenghth collaboration under the logo of their production company in 1943?

Answer: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

It was inspired by cartoonist David Low's popular character. Their first full-lenghth collaboration was "Contraband" (1940), then "49th Parallel" (1941), then "One of Our Aircraft Is Missing" (1942). "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' (1943) was their first film under the "Archers" bullseye logo and also their first in colour.

4. Which Master of Suspense did Powell know and work with, and what thriller of the former did Powell influence?

Answer: Alfred Hitchcock, "Blackmail"

Powell worked for Hitch as a still photographer, and he suggested the chase scene in Blackmail take place in the British Museum.

5. Which Indian actor made two films with Powell?

Answer: Sabu

Sabu acted for Powell in "Thief of Bagdad" (which Powell codirected) and the Archers production of "Black Narcissus" six years later. Among his best known films are "Jungle Book", "The Drum" and his debut "Elephant Boy". Jay Silverheels, of course was Tonto to Clayton Moore's Lone Ranger!

6. Name David Niven's character in "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946).

Answer: Peter D. Carter

Niven's character was a poet who also piloted a World War Two bomber. After miraculously bailing from his falling plane without a parachute and surviving, he began a romance with American radio operator June (Kim Hunter), who received his last broadcast from the plane.

The film's American title, "Stairway To Heaven", comes from a giant escalator to the Other World that the characters use.

7. "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946): who was the Heavenly Messenger sent to fetch Niven to the afterlife?

Answer: Conductor 71

71, played by Marius Goring, was an aristocrat who lost his head in the French Revolution. Niven was bailing out without a parachute when his plane was about to crash in the sea, and 71 was to bring him to Heaven, but he lost Niven in the fog. Goring was also Moira Shearer's composer husband in "Red Shoes".

8. "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946): what did Dr. Reeves, who took on Niven's case on earth and later defended him in the Heavenly Court, use to spy on his town?

Answer: camera obscura

The camera obscura, which first saw light in the Renaissaince, was also used in the comedy, Addicted to Love. Roger Livesey, the lead in "Colonel Blimp", played Dr. Reeves. He also starred in the Archers film, "I Know Where I'm Going" opposite Wendy Hiller.

9. Who wrote the fairy tale on which the Archers' most popular film, "The Red Shoes" (1948), is based?

Answer: Hans Christian Andersen

The ballet of Andersen's fable is the high point of the film, all decked out in special effects to mirror her character's frame of mind during the performance. Brian Easdale wrote the lush music for the ballet.

10. What was the name of the ballerina in "Red Shoes" and who played her?

Answer: Vicky Page, Moira Shearer

Already a prima ballerina, the role of Vicky made Shearer a film star. She starred for Powell again in the lavish 1951 adaptation of the Offenbach opera "The Tales of Hoffmann" and was a murder victim in the controversial "Peeping Tom", that effectively ended Powell's career back in 1960. Among her later films were "The Story of Three Loves" (1953) and "The Man Who Loved Redheads" (1955), where her co-star was none other than "Thief of Baghdad" star John Justin! (Powell directed neither film.)

11. Which 1960 thriller was directed by Powell but written by Leo Marks?

Answer: Peeping Tom

Ex-World War Two cryptographer and screenwriter Leo Marks wrote "Peeping Tom".

12. The 1960 thriller directed by Powell and written by Leo Marks: according to the film's psychotic main character, Mark, what is the most frightening thing in the world?

Answer: fear

Mark Lewis said this to Anna Massey when showing her his film camera that had a spiked tripod leg he used to kill and film his victims' fear.

13. Name the American filmmaker who was a fan of Powell's and became a close friend?

Answer: Martin Scorsese

Scorsese saved "Peeping Tom" from oblivion and has cited Powell as a prime influence on his work.

14. What is the epitaph on Powell's gravestone?

Answer: Film Director and Optimist

In 1990, prostate cancer claimed Powell's life.

15. Which one of these actresses shares a bithday with Powell?

Answer: Deborah Kerr

Best known for "The King And I", Kerr was born on the same day as Powell: September 30th.

Source: Author tjoebigham

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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