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Paul Thomas Anderson Trivia Quiz

Do you know how many freckles are on Paul Thomas Anderson's left butt cheek? Neither do I. But, if you have a fundamental knowledge of this talented filmmaker's life and work, then by all means, challenge yourself and click 'Play'.

A multiple-choice quiz by ArmyBratExtract. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
ArmyBratExtract

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
57,598

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
11 / 20

Plays
803

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (3/20), Guest 159 (12/20), bernie73 (2/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. What length of time did Paul Thomas Anderson attend New York University's Film School before dropping out? Hint

Two years

Two weeks

Two days

Two months

NEXT>

Question 2 of 20

2. Paul's father, Ernie Anderson, was a well known voice actor. Which of the following shows did Ernie Anderson NOT provide voice talent? Hint

Circus of the Stars

America's Funniest Home Videos

The Love Boat

This is a trick question, he provided voice talent for all three.

NEXT>

Question 3 of 20

3. On what real-life gameshow did Paul work, which would later provide the inspiration and backdrop for the film 'Magnolia'. Hint

For Whom The School Bell Tolls

What Do Kids Know?

The Quiz Kids Challenge

Mindful Youth

NEXT>

Question 4 of 20

4. The feature film 'Hard Eight' was originally titled ________ ? Hint

'Sydney'

'Chance'

'Roll Of The Dice'

'Darling Clementine'

NEXT>

Question 5 of 20

5. Three of Paul's short films have gone on to become features. Which of the following was not converted to a film? Hint

Fanatic

Flagpole Special

The Dirk Diggler Story

Cigarettes and Coffee

NEXT>

Question 6 of 20

6. What film directed by Paul was released in 2002? Hint

Magnolia

SNL Fanatic

Punch-Drunk Love

Cigaettes and Coffee

NEXT>

Question 7 of 20

7. Paul's father, Ernie Anderson, was a well known late night horror B-movie host in the 1960s. What was his character's name? Hint

Zombience

Bones

Rigel Mortis

Ghoulardi

NEXT>

Question 8 of 20

8. What actor showed interest in playing the role of Dirk Diggler in 'Boogie Nights', but was thought too old for the part? Hint

Brad Pitt

Warren Beatty

Robert Redford

Tim Robbins

NEXT>

Question 9 of 20

9. If Paul had been given the budget, cats and dogs would have fallen from the sky instead of frogs, in the film 'Magnolia'?

True

False

NEXT>

Question 10 of 20

10. The Dirk Diggler private dick alter-ego Brock Landers was based on what John Holmes' character? Hint

Philmore Booty

Buck Wild

Curtis Strongarm

Johnny Wadd

NEXT>

Question 11 of 20

11. When writing a screenplay, how many hours can Paul work a day? Hint

NEXT>

Question 12 of 20

12. Which of these musicians has scored each of Paul's films? Hint

John Brion

Michael Penn

Aimee Mann

Fiona Apple

NEXT>

Question 13 of 20

13. Paul Thomas Anderson was how old when making 'Boogie Nights'? Hint

NEXT>

Question 14 of 20

14. Which of the following actors has not been in all three of Anderson's feature films? Hint

Melora Walters

Philip Baker Hall

William H. Macy

Philip Seymour Hoffman

NEXT>

Question 15 of 20

15. In the film 'Magnolia', which star did Paul cast as one of the dental assistants in the scene which introduces Wiz Kid Donnie Smith? Hint

Veronica Hart

Seka

Georgina Spelvin

Marilyn Chambers

NEXT>

Question 16 of 20

16. Who was Paul's first choice to play the role of Dirk Diggler in 'Boogie Nights'? Hint

Mark Wahlberg

Warren Beatty

Jake Lloyd

Leonardo DiCaprio

NEXT>

Question 17 of 20

17. Which two numbers can be found sprinkled throughout the film 'Magnolia'? Hint

2 6

5 4

3 5

8 2

NEXT>

Question 18 of 20

18. Which of the following music videos by Fiona Apple was NOT directed by Paul Thomas Anderson? Hint

Criminal

Limp

Paper Bag

Fast As You Can

NEXT>

Question 19 of 20

19. In the film, 'Magnolia', there are paintings hanging on the walls of Claudia Wilson Gator's apartment. Who is the artist? Hint

Melora Walters

Georgia O'keeffe

Fiona Apple

Charles Schultz

NEXT>

Question 20 of 20

20. In 'Magnolia', young Stanley Spector can be seen reading (three of) the following books, except _______ ? Hint

Our Natural Weather

Wild Talents

Where's Waldo

Learned Pigs, and Fireproof Women

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 06 2024 : Guest 174: 3/20
Sep 19 2024 : Guest 159: 12/20
Sep 12 2024 : bernie73: 2/20

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What length of time did Paul Thomas Anderson attend New York University's Film School before dropping out?

Answer: Two days

Paul decided NYU was not the place for him after a professor stated that students wishing to make the next 'Terminator' were not welcome.

2. Paul's father, Ernie Anderson, was a well known voice actor. Which of the following shows did Ernie Anderson NOT provide voice talent?

Answer: Circus of the Stars

'Circus of the Stars' was hosted by 'Charlie's Angels' very own John Forsythe.

3. On what real-life gameshow did Paul work, which would later provide the inspiration and backdrop for the film 'Magnolia'.

Answer: The Quiz Kids Challenge

Paul met actor Philip Baker Hall on the set of 'The Quiz Kids Challenge'. In 'Magnolia', Philip would later go on to act as host of the fictional gameshow 'What Do Kids Know'.

4. The feature film 'Hard Eight' was originally titled ________ ?

Answer: 'Sydney'

Production company and distributor Rysher Entertainment changed the title of Paul's first film and recut the print to Paul's dismay. Paul went behind the company's back and submitted HIS cut to Cannes, which earned a spot in the prestigious film festival's lineup and received critical acclaim.

Afterward, Rysher agreed to let Paul's cut stand, but retained the right to release the film under the title Hard Eight. They would later go out of business.

5. Three of Paul's short films have gone on to become features. Which of the following was not converted to a film?

Answer: Fanatic

'The Dirk Diggler Story' became 'Boogie Nights'. 'Cigarettes and Coffee' became 'Sydney'. 'Flagpole Special' became 'Magnolia'. 'Fanatic' was an 'SNL' segment, written and directed by Paul, based on MTV's 'meet the stars' reality show. It featured Ben Affleck as the star struck teen who obsesses over Anna Nicole Smith (played by Molly Shannon).

Unfortunately, Affleck was 70 years too young for Smith's tastes.

6. What film directed by Paul was released in 2002?

Answer: Punch-Drunk Love

7. Paul's father, Ernie Anderson, was a well known late night horror B-movie host in the 1960s. What was his character's name?

Answer: Ghoulardi

Paul's production company is named after Ghoulardi.

8. What actor showed interest in playing the role of Dirk Diggler in 'Boogie Nights', but was thought too old for the part?

Answer: Warren Beatty

Warren was reported to be 'half-joking and half-serious' about playing the part of Dirk Diggler. Warren's complete abandonment of the project after Paul's reaction is proof enough to give this rumor validity.

9. If Paul had been given the budget, cats and dogs would have fallen from the sky instead of frogs, in the film 'Magnolia'?

Answer: True

While doing press for 'Magnolia', the most frequent question asked was, 'What did the frogs mean?' Paul, after answering one too many of these questions, shot back at one interviewer, and I'm paraphrasing, 'It doesn't mean anything. The frogs don't have any significance. Only the fact that they fell has significance. If I had the budget, they would have been cats and dogs.'

10. The Dirk Diggler private dick alter-ego Brock Landers was based on what John Holmes' character?

Answer: Johnny Wadd

The film 'Boogie Nights', was loosely based on the 1981 documentary 'Exhausted: John C. Holmes, the real story'.

11. When writing a screenplay, how many hours can Paul work a day?

Answer: 4

Paul can only write four hours a day, due to his habit of chain smoking while at the computer.

12. Which of these musicians has scored each of Paul's films?

Answer: John Brion

13. Paul Thomas Anderson was how old when making 'Boogie Nights'?

Answer: 26

Paul was born New Year's Day in 1970.

14. Which of the following actors has not been in all three of Anderson's feature films?

Answer: William H. Macy

William H. Macy did not star in 'Sydney'.

15. In the film 'Magnolia', which star did Paul cast as one of the dental assistants in the scene which introduces Wiz Kid Donnie Smith?

Answer: Veronica Hart

Ironically, she also had a role in 'Boogie Nights', that of a Judge who finds Amber Waves to be an unfit mother.

16. Who was Paul's first choice to play the role of Dirk Diggler in 'Boogie Nights'?

Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio passed on the project after deciding to make 'Titanic'. He did, however, suggest his 'Basketball Diaries' co-star, Mark Wahlberg, for the part.

17. Which two numbers can be found sprinkled throughout the film 'Magnolia'?

Answer: 8 2

There are over 50 known inclusions of the numbers 8 2 in Magnolia. They allude to Exodus 8:2.

18. Which of the following music videos by Fiona Apple was NOT directed by Paul Thomas Anderson?

Answer: Criminal

Paul has directed 6 music videos, 4 of which are Fiona Apple songs('Across the Universe', 'Paper Bag', 'Limp', 'Fast As You Can'), 1' for Aimee Mann( Save Me)', and '1 for Michael Penn (Try)'.

19. In the film, 'Magnolia', there are paintings hanging on the walls of Claudia Wilson Gator's apartment. Who is the artist?

Answer: Fiona Apple

20. In 'Magnolia', young Stanley Spector can be seen reading (three of) the following books, except _______ ?

Answer: Where's Waldo

The three books detail strange phenomena.

Source: Author ArmyBratExtract

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