Snakes in a Quiz

Answer: Sherlock Holmes

The tale, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was first published in 1892. In the story, Holmes is asked by Helen Stoner to investigate strange happenings at the home shared with her stepfather, where her sister had died previously. Holmes deduces that the stepfather is planning to kill Helen, having already disposed of her sister, using a venomous snake as the murder weapon. Holmes is able to turn the tables on the villain.

Answer: Blue

The cartoons appeared between 1972 and 1974 and featured the Blue Racer trying, and failing, to catch a Japanese beetle. Seventeen short cartoons were produced in total, all written by John W. Dunn.

Answer: Rod Stewart

The band was from Australia, formed in Sydney in 1965, although the original members were English. In 1969, the song was recorded in the UK with Rod lending his vocal talents as a session musician prior to his own career taking off. The song was first released in 1970, but failed to impress.

It was re-released two years later, to capitalise on Rod's by then flourishing solo career, allowing it to hit number three on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Anaconda

The film was set in the Amazon Jungle, with Jennifer Lopez playing the role of a documentary film maker trying to locate a particular tribe. They meet a snake hunter, played by Jon Voight, who offers his assistance, while really intending to use them in his attempts to capture the giant anaconda he is chasing. Let's just say, things don't end well.

Answer: Chutes and Ladders

The board game originated in India with the object being to reach the top of the board, by throwing dice to determine the number of moves. The ladders help by moving you upwards while snakes, or chutes, send you back down the board. Milton Bradley brought their version out in 1943.

Answer: Sid

Something of a cause celebre in 1980, Hissing Sid was the villain of the song, although it prompted a campaign, including the sale of T-shirts insisting 'Hissing Sid is Innocent'. The song was written by Jeremy Lloyd originally as poetry, and was just one of several to be recited, rather than sung, by various celebrities. Keith Michell performed the immortal words 'The bravest animals in the land are Captain Beaky and his band' successfully enough to take the single to number five on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Kung Fu Panda

The 'Kung Fu Panda' is named Po, with Jack Black providing the voice. Po is chosen, perhaps accidentally, as the Dragon Warrior, and Master Viper provides him with much needed help and support despite having been a candidate for the role herself.

Answer: Kaa

Kaa is not the only snake in the tale since a pair of cobras, Nag and Nagaina, also feature. Kaa is a friend and adviser to Mowgli, the man-cub. Bagheera was the panther, Akela was a wolf and Tabaqui was a jackal.

Answer: Spiders

The song tells the story of a rather shy boy trying to win the affections of a girl named Mary Lou by offering her gifts, which include a frog. Not surprisingly, she is unimpressed , but as they mature, the relationship has another chance, although Mary Lou feels the need to remind him that 'Spiders and Snakes' are not the way to win her heart.

The song, named 'Spiders and Snakes', was successful for Jim, reaching number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Train

Unlike 'Snakes on a Plane', which had Samuel L. Jackson in the main role, 'Snakes on a Train' had no star names and went straight to video, i.e. DVD. The film was classed as a 'mockbuster', hoping for success by using the publicity for another film. The plots, apart from featuring snakes, were different, of course.