A Mere Shadow of a Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Shadowlands" tells the story of a prominent writer and theologian who is most universally known for crafting an imaginary land through which he presents spiritual themes. Who is this author, a member of the Oxford literary group The Inklings?

Answer: C. S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis) was the creator of the magical land of Narnia; his stories present Biblical and sacred themes through allegory. Lewis also conveyed spiritual and religious concepts with works such as "The Screwtape Letters" and "The Great Divorce." The film "Shadowlands" focuses on the great love story of his life, with his spirited Jewish-American wife Joy Davidson, played by Debra Winger. Sir Anthony Hopkins portrays the great author, who was a member of the literary Oxford circle.

2. In a particular location with a melancholy name, the songwriter's shadow is, he says, "the only one that walks beside me." What is the name of this downbeat place?

Answer: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The lyrics to Green Day's stirring ballad were penned by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, and have been interpreted by various critics as a song about personal loneliness and/or wideswept loss of society's dreams. The chorus opens with the line: "My shadow's the only one that walks beside me."

The song shares its title with a painting by Gottfried Helnwein which is a parody of "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper. In the "Boulevard" painting, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, James Dean, and Humphrey Bogart congregate in a diner as do unknown figures in Hopper's work. Note that all four of these figures had their life dreams cut short by untimely and needless death.

3. "We Kiss in the Shadow" is sung by a supporting character in what historical-fiction Rodgers and Hammerstein musical?

Answer: The King and I

"The King and I" is based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who served as governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam (now Thailand). The musical is a romanticized version of her life in Siam and her relationship with the king. "We Kiss in the Shadow" is a love theme for one of the king's wives and the man with whom she truly wishes to spend her life. Anna's protectiveness toward the girl drives the story forward in that it intensifies the king's respect for the governess and her influence over him.

4. The traditional "soap opera" format took an interesting twist when "Dark Shadows" was created. The series became a cult classic. The early episodes, however, were decidedly different from the "Dark Shadows" that fans came to know. What was different about the first "Dark Shadows" episodes from the rest of the series?

Answer: There were no supernatural elements to the plot.

"Dark Shadows" (1966-1971) was originally created as a soap opera version of the ever-popular Gothic novel format: melancholy-looking rambling house; mysterious reclusive upper-class house owners; bleak but beautiful landscape. With, of course, the young female outsider entering the picture so that the audience can experience the story through her perspective.

In this case, the character was Victoria Winters, hired as a companion. There were, of course, mentions of ghosts, but no howling at the moon or neck-biting was going on just yet. Uncertain ratings called for some creativity on the part of the show's producer. Enter the state of vampirism (typified by family figurehead Barnabas Collins), witchcraft (represented by the lovely but rejected Angelique), werewolves (particularly the angst-ridden Quentin Collins) and other elements of supernatural fiction. "Dark Shadows" continues to have a definitive role in cult fandom.

The soundtrack album is amazing from a musical as well as from an atmospheric standpoint.

5. "The shadow of your _________when you are gone..." What is the missing word that casts a shadow of remembrance in this wistful-sounding theme from "The Sandpiper"?

Answer: smile

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton starred in the 1965 Vincente Minnelli film of star-crossed love. Johnny Mandel composed "The Shadow of Your Smile" which serves as a portion of the movie's soundtrack. Lyrics are by Paul Francis Webster. Bossa Nova influences are evident in the piece.

The song opens: "The shadow of your smile/When you are gone/Will colour all my dreams/And light the dawn."

6. What renowned psychiatrist formulated the concept of the personality component "the shadow?"

Answer: Carl Jung

Carl Jung (1875-1961)is also known for his concepts of persona, universal archetypes, and the anima/animus (male and female personality components). The "shadow" refers to a person's "unknown side" and is not always purely negative.

7. "Only The Shadow knows." What was "The Shadow" in this context?

Answer: A radio programme

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" is the iconic opening line of the radio programme "The Shadow" which ran from 1937 to 1954. Prior to that, The Shadow was the narrator of "Detective Story Hour." This premiered on the radio in 1930.

The Shadow became a pulp magazine hero. Orson Welles spoke as the first Shadow and Agnes Moorehead was the first to portray Margo Lane, friend and companion to the mysterious figure.

8. Shadowfax was the horse of what character from allegorical fantasy literature?

Answer: Gandalf the Grey

"Swift and sure" was how Gandalf described his horse, whose name reflects Norse mythology: in the Prose Edda, horses' name meanings involving their mane had "faxi" endings to them. "Shadowfax" means Shadow Mane. The horse belonged to King Theoden, who gifted him to Gandalf after the wizard's transformation from Gandalf the Grey into Gandalf the White.

9. A fascinating woman's husband was, according to a musical film about her life, the subject of "Me and My Shadow." Who was the woman in question?

Answer: Fanny Brice

Comedienne and singer Fanny Brice performed in burlesque and vaudeville as well as in the "Ziegfield Follies" and stormed the radio scene with whimsical characters such as Baby Snooks. She is the subject of the musical "Funny Girl" and its sequel, "Funny Lady." The unforgettable Barbra Streisand played Fanny in both films and the role is greatly equated with her in theatregoers' minds.

One of the credits on this catchy 1927 song is Billy Rose, Fanny's second husband. In "Funny Lady," he tells Fanny that the shadow in question was Nick Arnstein, her first husband, but the song was written two years before Rose married Fanny. The others on the writing credits are Al Jolson and Dave Dreyer.

10. The ribbon from the singer's hair, when shaking loose, plays like the shadows on the wall in what 1970s country/pop crossover song?

Answer: Help Me Make It Through the Night

Like "Angel of the Morning" and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," the country ballad "Help Me Make It Through the Night" illustrated the themes of the human need for romantic/sexual contact and the ever-present background of the social stigma and guilt that was still prevalent when these songs were written. Sammi Smith and Tammy Wynette both recorded this piece which was composed by Kris Kristofferson.

Source: Author marymagdalena

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Shadows represent many different concepts-- mystery, memory, shelter, sadness, the sinister--but however they are interpreted, they are universal and therefore appear in song and story frequently. Here's a shady quiz to see how many are familiar to you.

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