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"Puttin' On the Ritz" Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about "Puttin' On the Ritz" -- the song (mostly, very popular in the 1930's), the film, and the phrase itself. How much have you been "puttin' on the Ritz" lately? :)

A multiple-choice quiz by cmstrong. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
cmstrong

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
317,469

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
643

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. First of all, let's address the meaning of the phrase. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, which phrase below most closely matches the meaning of "putting on the Ritz?" Hint

Having a fine meal which included French cheeses and Ritz crackers.

Going to any event at the Ritz Hotel or to a Ritz Brothers' concert.

Adorning both the neck and the wrist with several strands of jewels, usually diamonds.

Going out on the town in style or dressing fashionably.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Now for the film of 1930 of "Puttin' On the Ritz" -- which actors played the lead roles of Harry Raymond and Dolores Fenton? Hint

Harry Morgan and Olivia DeHavilland

Lawrence Olivier and Constance Bennett

Harry Richman and Joan Bennett

Jimmy Stewart and Joan Blondell

3. The original lyrics to the song "Puttin' On the Ritz" were a little more on the "seedy side" than the later incarnations would be. For example, later versions have the well-to-do going up and down "Park Avenue." The original had women of questionable repute strolling down which New York City thoroughfare? Hint

Amsterdam Avenue

Lenox Avenue

Fifth Avenue

Rodeo Drive

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Question 4 of 10

4. Many musicians have 'covered' the song "Puttin' On the Ritz" in various styles. Which of the following did NOT have a major hit with it? Hint

Judy Garland

Benny Goodman

Taco Ockerse

Leningrad Cowboys

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Question 5 of 10

5. I'm sure if you saw the film "That's Entertainment" you will remember this -- who attempted to sing and dance to "Putting On the Ritz" as seen in that film? (hint: the original clip was from the 1939 film "Idiot's Delight"). Hint

Clark Gable

Joan Fontaine

Joan Crawford

Cary Grant

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Question 6 of 10

6. Another humorous version of "Putting On the Ritz" was used to great effect in a 1974 Mel Brooks comedy. It's presented as a duet, with Gene Wilder singing the verses and which other actor/actress singing (if one can call it that) just the line "puttin' on the Ritz?" Hint

Peter Boyle

Cloris Leachman

Marty Feldman

Madelyn Kahn

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Question 7 of 10

7. Can you complete this portion of the lyric? "Dressed up like a million-dollar trooper; Tryin' hard to look..." Hint

like Jackie Cooper

like Gary Cooper

like Jackie Coogan

like a paratrooper

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Question 8 of 10

8. The song "Puttin' On the Ritz" uses a style of music often written in music theory as an AABA form. Which of the following exhibit a strange and jagged syncopation? (don't be alarmed if you are not up on your music theory; just sing the song to yourself and it will be obvious!) Hint

A only

Both A and B

B only

Neither A nor B

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Question 9 of 10

9. The song "Puttin' On the Ritz" is most closely associated with what noted song-and-dance man? (hint: you can find his performance in the film "Blue Skies").

Answer: (both or just last name and please capitalize)

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who is the author of the song "Puttin' On the Ritz"? (another hint: the film, "Blue Skies", was a tribute to the work of this songwriter). Hint

George Gershwin

Cole Porter

Irving Berlin

George Cohan

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. First of all, let's address the meaning of the phrase. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, which phrase below most closely matches the meaning of "putting on the Ritz?"

Answer: Going out on the town in style or dressing fashionably.

According to the OED, the word "ritzy" also came from this phrase. There is some dispute in its etymology, as the Ritz Brothers claim they were using the phrase as early as 1921. But most agree it came from the song of the same name, written in late 1929. In later times, it has taken on the connotation of "assuming an air of superiority", according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.

2. Now for the film of 1930 of "Puttin' On the Ritz" -- which actors played the lead roles of Harry Raymond and Dolores Fenton?

Answer: Harry Richman and Joan Bennett

The film revolves around singer Harry Raymond (played by Harry Richman), a man who works for a musical promoter. He and his friend meet Dolores Fenton (played by Joan Bennett), a songwriter who is trying to sell one of her songs. The rest of the film follows the typical boy-meets-girl, boy-is-separated-from girl (Raymond takes to drinking heavily in New York City and associating with the hoi-polloi of the city, ignoring his old friends). But, of course, boy-gets-girl-back and all ends "happily ever after", proving that "putting on the Ritz" was not all it was cracked up to be.

Answer: Lenox Avenue

Here is an example of the original lyrics: "Now if you're blue and you don't know where to go to; Why don't you go where Harlem flits, puttin' on the Ritz. Spangled gowns upon the bevy of high browns from down the levy always spits, puttin' on the Ritz." I read somewhere that this is probably a reference to the many jazz clubs, primarily owned and operated by African Americans, located on Lenox Avenue in the 1920s and 1930s.

4. Many musicians have 'covered' the song "Puttin' On the Ritz" in various styles. Which of the following did NOT have a major hit with it?

Answer: Judy Garland

Benny Goodman had the biggest "swing" version of this song. Other 'big band' groups recorded it, but no other band scored a major hit. Likewise, Judy Garland often sang the song in her concerts, but it is not considered a major hit for her. Taco Ockerse, under the stage name 'Taco', recorded his hit techno-pop version in 1982 and Leningrad Cowboys had a version in 2006.

Answer: Clark Gable

Although Joan Crawford trying to tap dance is almost as ridiculous (and also a clip found in "That's Entertainment"), it was Clark Gable who was attempting to be a song-and-dance man, complete with top hat, tails, a cane and a bevy of beauties to carry him off the stage!

Answer: Peter Boyle

The movie, of course, was "Young Frankenstein" and Peter Boyle does a great job portraying Dr. Frankenstein's monster. The doctor decides his monster should go on stage with him and sing, and the result is one of the most hilarious scenes in the movie.

7. Can you complete this portion of the lyric? "Dressed up like a million-dollar trooper; Tryin' hard to look..."

Answer: like Gary Cooper

This lyric is from the first break strain (or B strain), which is followed by the second verse: "Come let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks or umbrellas in their mitts, puttin' on the Ritz" Gary Cooper and the Rockefellers were considered "high fashion" in the 1930's.

Answer: A only

When singing this song, you will notice right away that it is not easy to fit the words into the "odd" syncopated rhythms of the first two and last verses. The B section, a break strain, is in a much steadier 'march' tempo (and is a whole lot easier to sing!)

9. The song "Puttin' On the Ritz" is most closely associated with what noted song-and-dance man? (hint: you can find his performance in the film "Blue Skies").

Answer: Fred Astaire

If you are a fan of any of the old '30s and '40s musical films at all, I think it is almost impossible to hear this song and not picture Fred Astaire with his cane tapping out the beat in the instrumental part of this song. "Blue Skies" was a 'big' 1946 Hollywood musical comedy which also starred Bing Crosby, Joan Caulfield and Billy DeWolfe.

10. Who is the author of the song "Puttin' On the Ritz"? (another hint: the film, "Blue Skies", was a tribute to the work of this songwriter).

Answer: Irving Berlin

Like all of the gentlemen mentioned in the answers (with the possible exception of George "Yankee Doodle Dandy" Cohan), Irving Berlin was not above taking the proverbial poke at the mores and upper-crusters of the day (especially the Rockefellers). The original lyrics show this much more clearly than the toned-down and more familiar ones.

But if you'd like to see the original lyrics, let me know and I can tell you where to find them.

Source: Author cmstrong

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