It Happened in Paris Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Phantom of the Opera

Originally a novel by French author Gaston Leroux, "The Phantom of the Opera" found tremendous success as a stage musical. The plot centres on Christine, a soprano at the Paris Opera House, and a mysterious musical genius, known only as 'The Phantom'. It was the first musical to complete 10,000 performances on Broadway.

Answer: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Disney film is based on the novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo. Quasimodo, the hunchback of the title, yearns to be accepted by society, but is shunned for his deformities. The book has been adapted into movies, radio and television series, musicals, and even a ballet.

The Disney movie was released in 1996 and featured voices of well known actors like Demi Moore and Kevin Kline.

Answer: A Tale of Two Cities

This Dickens classic references the cities of London and Paris in its title. Set during the French Revolution, the novel is known for its iconic opening lines - "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...".

Answer: The Da Vinci Code

Though Dan Brown had written and published novels to moderate success before this, it was "The Da Vinci Code" that propelled him to the top of all the bestseller lists. With the controversial topic of Jesus's lineage, the book managed to generate significant publicity.

The book was later made into a movie featuring veteran actor Tom Hanks as the lead character, Robert Langdon. Despite Brown's commercial success, the jury is still out on his literary skills.

Answer: Bécassine

"Bécassine" is a French comic strip first published in the early 20th century. The strip is named after the main character, Bécassine, who works as a maid in Paris. She was one of the only titular female characters in French comics at the time. The name itself is a nickname and used as French slang for 'fool'.

In 2005, the French Post issued a stamp commemorating hundred years since Bécassine first appeared in a comic.

Answer: Les Miserables

Another Victor Hugo novel, "Les Miserables" is set during the early 19th century. Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, struggles to find a job because of his past. A kind bishop helps him make a fresh start. The book was adapted for the stage. "I Dreamed a Dream" sung by a character called Fantine is one of the best known songs from the musical.

It was the song that made "Britain's Got Talent" contestant Susan Boyle famous overnight.

Answer: Charade

The 1963 film "Charade" featured Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The movie was filmed in Paris. Originally written as a film script titled "The Unsuspecting Wife", Peter Stone turned it into a novel when he couldn't get anyone to back the movie. Later on, the book was adapted into a film. Henry Mancini was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song for the movie.

Answer: La Traviata

"La Traviata" is an opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The Italian title translates to "The Fallen Woman". The opera was inspired by was a play, which itself was adapted from a novel by Alexandre Dumas fils. Set mainly in Paris, the opera follows a popular courtesan, Violetta Valéry.

A young man from rural France falls in love with her, the first time Violetta has found someone to love her for herself.

Answer: Moulin Rouge!

"Moulin Rouge!" was written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor played the lead roles of Satine and Christine. Kidman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. The film is named after the famous French cabaret of the same name.

Answer: The Day of the Jackal

Written by Frederick Forsythe, "The Day of the Jackal" was inspired by the real life attempt to kill the then French president, Charles de Gaulle. It won the Best Novel Edgar Award, given in the genre of mystery fiction, in 1972. A translated copy of the book was found with a real life assassin, Yigal Amir, who was responsible for the death of Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.