Felines In Fiction Trivia Quiz

Answer: Felix

Created by Otto Messmer, wide-eyed, pointy-eared Felix the Cat made his debut on a 1919 short film called "Feline Follies." Soon spreading to TV and comics, Felix's image has been immortalized on clocks and many other products. In the late 1920s, television networks used a paper cutout of Felix as a test broadcast, giving him another unique title as, not only the "first true movie cartoon star," but also the "first TV star."

Answer: The Pickwick Portfolio

The March girls' named their Pickwick Club for Charles Dickens' 1837 novel, "The Pickwick Papers." At their weekly meetings, each of them would assume an alias and editor Augustus Snodgrass (Jo, the literary one among them) read aloud The Pickwick Portfolio, the paper to which they each contributed an article. One edition of the paper is printed in "Little Women." Along with stories, ads, and weekly reports, "A Lament to Mrs. S.B. Pat Paw" by A.S. follows the sad notice of "The Public Bereavement." The March family's cats were most doted on by the second youngest girl, timid Beth, who found especial comfort in their presence.

Answer: Teddy bear

"I don't wanna be a tiger, 'cause tigers play too rough
I don't wanna be a lion, 'cause lions ain't the kind you love enough."

Written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe, "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" was a #1 hit for Elvis Presley in 1957. It also appeared in the soundtrack of his 1957 movie, "Loving You." Perhaps if Beanie Babies had been around in the 1950s, the lyrics would've been different - Ty's wildcats are cute and cuddly enough to rival even a teddy bear.

Answer: Secondhand Lions

"Secondhand Lions" weaves the exciting, albeit fantastic, tale of uncles Garth and Hub's past adventures into the present 1960s, in which Walter was left by his selfish, inheritance-seeking mother (Kyra Sedgwick). The eccentric, wealthy brothers (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall), weren't quite certain what to do with the boy, but eventually Walter and his uncles grew accustomed to each other.

The uncles purchased the "secondhand lion" to provide them with a thrilling hunt, but the old, tame lion refused to even leave her crate. Walter named her Jasmine after Uncle Hub's royal wife, and she became a friend to him, even saving Walter's life.

Answer: X-Men

Developed by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the mutant character Beast debuted in Marvel Comics' first issue of "X-Men" (1963). While Beast's initial mutations gave him a gorilla-like appearance, future, artificial mutations left the biochemist with more feline features. Also a brilliant doctor, teacher, and political activist, Henry "Hank" McCoy's mutant abilities include incredible strength and fierce combat ability.

After a stint with the X-Men, Beast became a member of the Avengers and later the Defenders.

In the 2006 film, "X-Men 3: The Last Stand," Beast was portrayed by Kelsey Grammar and, at the end of the film, the United States appointed him as an ambassador to the United Nations.

Answer: Anne of Green Gables

The redheaded orphan girl called "Anne of Green Gables" in the novel written by L.M. Montgomery has grown up, married, and is now mother to six children. "Rilla of Ingleside," named for Anne's youngest child, takes place during the harsh years of World War I, which takes an irreparable toll on the Blythe family.

There is still a note of humor in the book, though, such as in Susan Baker's relationship with Doc, whom she loathes and believes the Devil himself possesses! When he's Dr. Jekyll, the beautiful, purring cat couldn't be more gentle and loving.

But the whole family has to watch out when his Mr. Hyde side surfaces!

Answer: Star Trek: Generations

"Data? Are you all right?"
"I am uncertain, Councilor. I am happy to see Spot, yet I am crying. Perhaps the chip is malfunctioning."
"I think it's working perfectly."

The lifelong quest of Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner), second officer aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, was always to become human. In his many endeavors to do so, he created an android daughter, experimented with dreaming, took lessons from a comedian, and adopted a pet, Spot. On "Generations," Data finally decided to install his emotion chip, a momentous step towards humanity. At the end of "Generations," after having much difficulty adjusting to the newfound feelings, Data cried tears of joy when he found his beloved cat, alive and unharmed, among the Enterprise's wreckage.

Answer: Keith Urban

"Take your cat and leave my sweater, 'cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact, I'll feel a whole lot better, but you'll think of me, you'll think of me."

"You'll Think Of Me" (written by Darrell Brown, Ty Lacy, Dennis Matkosky) was a hit for country singer Keith Urban and was first released on his 2002 CD, "Golden Road." As a cat lover, I can imagine that the cat in the song might've been a bit insulted at being traded for a mere sweater! :) In July of 2008, the New Zealand-born singer (who relocated to Australia as a child) and his wife, Nicole, became parents to a little girl named Sunday Rose.

Answer: Starkist's Charlie

Tony the Tiger has been telling audiences how "grrreat!" Frosted Flakes cereal is since 1952. In the 1970s, Tony's wife and two children, Tony Jr. and Antoinette, temporarily entered the advertising limelight as well. Thurl Ravenscroft provided the distinctive voice of Tony the Tiger for over 50 years, until his death in 2005.

The finicky, orange Morris the Cat has spoken on behalf of 9 Lives cat food since 1968. This famous, TV-commercial kitty even ran for President twice, in 1988 and 1992! Baxter has been the "Singing Cat" of Meow Mix cat food ads since the '70s, crooning that catchy jingle: "Meow meow meow meow...." Although cats love its taste, Starkist Tuna's mascot is, not a feline, but Charlie the Tuna.

Answer: "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat," by Edward Lear

"The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat;
They took some honey, and plenty of money wrapped up in a five-pound note."

This nonsensical work about the elopement of a "nocturnal avian of the Strigidae family" (or, The Owl) and the Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear was first published in 1871. In it, the Owl played a guitar and sang to his love, extolling her beauty. They decided to marry, obtained a ring from the nose of a "Piggy-wig," and the ceremony was performed by a turkey. For their reception, they ate mince and quince with a "runcible spoon," and, in conclusion, the happy couple "danced by the light of the moon." Runcible, a nonsensical word with no true meaning, was coined by Lear and appears several times in his creations.