The Joy of Knowledge 5 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Magnus Magnusson

Magnus Magnusson (Magnus Sigursteinnson) presented 'Mastermind', which ran on BBC1 between 1972 to 1997. Contestants were invited to sit alone in the famous black leather chair and answer rapid-fire questions, from Magnusson, for two minutes. The first round consisted of a specialist subject, chosen by the contestant.

The final round was on general knowledge. Viewers were attracted to the show as the auditorium was darkened whilst the player was spotlighted. Previous winners of the Mastermind, cut-glass trophy, were taxi-driver Fred Housego (1980) and London Underground train driver Christopher Hughes (1983). Magnus was born in Iceland and moved to Scotland when he was only one-year old. Alas, Magnus died recently on January 7, 2007 and lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, at the age of 77 years old. One can only conclude this passage using Magnusson's catchphrase of "I've started so I'll finish".

Answer: Mayfair

Commander Ian Lancaster Fleming (1908-1964) was famous for writing his James Bond books. His children's story of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' was made into a 1968 movie starring Dick Van Dyke (Caractacus Potts) and Sally Ann Howes (Truly Scrumptious). Two of his, not so famous quotations are: "A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle" and "Older women are best, because they always think they may be doing it for the last time". With this in mind, it's not surprising he came up with the character part of Pussy Galore, portrayed by Honor Blackman, in the 1964 Bond movie, 'Goldfinger'. Actor Christopher Lee is a cousin of Ian Fleming and it was rumoured that Fleming wanted Lee to play the villain, Dr No.

He finally played Francisco Scaramanga, the villain in 'The Man With The Golden Gun' (1974). Ian is buried in the churchyard cemetery at the village of Sevenhampton, near Swindon with his wife Ann (1913-81) and his son, Caspar (1952-75).

Answer: Alfred Hitchcock

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899 in Leytonstone, London. He was nicknamed 'Hitch' and 'The Master of Suspense'. Hitchcock had several operations in the belly area and it was said that his belly button was sewn up, by the doctors.

This may possibly be true although it may be a bizarre urban legend. On April 29, 1980, Alfred died in Los Angeles, California, due to complications of kidney and heart failure.

Answer: Austria

Dr Emmanuel Herrman of Vienna, proposed a 'postal telegram' in 1869. The first postcards were a card with a space for a written message. These were transmitted by post at a lower fee than a normal letter with an envelope. This was adopted by the Austro-Hungarian postal administration.

In 1894, the first picture postcards were introduced. In 1902, the address could be written on the back leaving the front for topographical views, photographs of movie stars etc. Post cards really became popular in Britain when Donald McGill, (1875-1962), introduced his humourous seaside postcards.

Answer: Jean Paul Getty

Jean Paul Getty (1892-1976) was an American oil billionaire, businessman and art collector. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. His father was a successful oil man and his death in 1930, resulted in Jean Paul inheriting $15 million. Jean Paul Getty became president of the Getty Oil Company from 1947.

He became the founder of the Getty Museum in Malibu, California, in 1954. This housed the world's highest-funded art gallery. Whilst he acquired a vast and expensive art collection, he also became eccentric and married and divorced five times.

His eccentricity and miserliness was apparent when he installed a pay-telephone for guests in his English mansion. One could say he became a bit of a get (British slang for a git, a contemptible person.)

Answer: Norway

Norway has a coastline of approximately 2,740 kilometres, (1700 miles), in length. If you were to include the surrounding islands, which protect the coastline, then this figure would rise to an estimated 21,930 kilometres (13,620 miles), in length (according to MSN Encarta). Norway has a deeply indented coastline. Geologists believe that glaciers gouged mountain valleys as they moved slowly to the sea. Fingers of water, extending deep into the exterior, were formed when the sea flooded these valleys. Norway has an Arctic winter climate with severe frosts, snow and strong winds, in it's interior highlands. Britain at times, is cold enough, and if you pardon the pun, there is 'Norway' I would like to experience their extreme climate, nor could I 'fiord' it anyway.

Answer: Clark Gable

William Clark Gable was born on 1 February 1901, in Cadiz, Ohio. His mother died seven months after Clark was born. He won an Oscar for 'It Happened One Night' and another Oscar nomination for 'Gone With The Wind'. He was actually jug-eared, but this American leading man became known as the 'King Of Hollywood' because of his rugged masculine charm.

It is well known that Howard Hughes, himself, was far from perfect. Jean Harlow said about Hughes, "One day when he was eating a cookie, he offered me a bite. Don't underestimate that.

The poor guy's so frightened of germs, it could darn near have been a proposal." In reply to Hughes' comments, Clark Gable should have quoted Rhett Butler, in 'Gone With The Wind', "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn".

Answer: Chile

The official language of Chile is Spanish. It is well known that Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Although Hindu and Javanese are the native languages of Suriname, the official language is Dutch. Chinese and Spanish are also spoken in Suriname. Guyana is the country to the west of Suriname and its official language is English. Hindi and Urdu are languages also spoken there.

Answer: Tongue

The lingua is the technical term for the tongue. Linguistics is the scientific study of language. A linguist is a person who has the capacity to learn and speak foreign languages. The word 'lingua' comes from the Latin for tongue.

Answer: Crosby

One hundred, life-sized iron men, are located along the beach of Crosby, in Merseyside, for three miles. They are said to be cast from Antony Gormley's own naked body. Risk assessments, before their arrival in 2005, were made by the coastguard and the Merseyside police.

Despite putting Crosby on the map, by attracting about 600,000 visitors, the scheme has proved very controversial. A woman got stuck in the sand whilst visiting the hundred iron men, sparking fresh fears that they are dangerous. A policeman on a quad bike helped rescue a 44 year-old beach fisherman as he got stuck in mud, up to his waist. If he had not been spotted in time, the incoming tide could have drowned him. With a hundred life-sized sculptures on the beach, it was not easy to locate him. Apart from tourism, the iron men have become home to a breed of barnacle, 'elminius modestus', which originate from the coasts of Australia.

The sculptures provide a hard surface which is ideal for their settlement and would not normally be found on sandy beaches.

The area is well known for its soft sand and mud. There will always be a hazard for people when they are near water. The argument continues on whether they should stay or be uprooted.

Answer: Carry On Again, Doctor

Doctor James Nookey is played by Jim Dale. He is a young, clumsy doctor who has an eye for the ladies, which leads to unethical behaviour. After his constant pursuit of Goldie Locks, (Barbara Windsor), he is sent to a remote South Sea island, by his boss, Frederick Carver (Kenneth Williams).

Other colourful characters include Gladstone Screwer (Sid James) and Dr Ernest Stoppidge (Charles Hawtrey). Hattie Jacques plays her customary 'Matron' role. This 1969 movie was directed by Gerald Thomas.

Answer: Terence Parsons

Matt Monroe (Terence Parsons) was born in London on 1 December 1932. He began his career by singing for television commercials but was cruelly criticized for being a second-rate Frank Sinatra imitation. 'My Kind of Girl' became his first transatlantic hit, reaching number eighteen in America.

His excellent, 'From Russia With Love', only reached number twenty in the United Kingdom charts, in November 1963. Sadly he died from cancer on 7 February 1985.

Answer: Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney (Joseph Yule Jr) was born on 23 September 1920, in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of about two-years old, he made his stage debut in his parents' vaudeville act. He was a very versatile actor as he could sing, dance, play the piano and play the drums.

He adopted the name of Mickey Rooney in 1932. He plays Mi Taylor in the movie 'National Velvet' (1944), starring Elizabeth Taylor, as Velvet Brown. In 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' (1961), which stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, he plays the landlord, Mr Yunioshi. Mickey Rooney was married to his first wife, Ava Gardner, from 1942 to 1943.

He has been married nine times so has a good experience and understanding to make this famous quotation.

Answer: Top Gun

Rebellious pilot, Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell (Tom Cruise), is sent to the Top Gun Naval Flying Academy. This is an exclusive training school to improve his flying skills. Fellow pilots blame Maverick's dead dad for causing the deaths of many pilots. He has to combat the bad attitudes and highly inflated egos of his fellow pilots. Lieutenant Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky (Val Kilmer) and Lieutenant Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), play major roles. Tim Robbins portrays Sam 'Merlin' Wills with Barry Tubb as Henry 'Wolfman' Ruth. All these nicknames are the call signs of the various pilots. Lieutenant Commander Dick 'Jester' Wetherly (Michael Ironside), and Commander Mike 'Viper' Metcalf (Tom Skerritt), are in charge of the operation. Tom Cruise battles to become the best pilot whilst finding romance with Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood (Kelly McGillis), one of his instructors. Anyone who has seen the movie will recall the minor character call signs of 'Hollywood' and 'Sundown' with Meg Ryan playing Carole Bradshaw.

The song 'Take My Breath Away', performed by Berlin, won an Oscar, and reached top single spot in the British charts in October 1986.

Answer: 1959

Ouch! Please forgive me as I know you have answered fourteen previous questions and probably are feeling fatigued. Apollo 11 seems the obvious correct answer. On 14 September 1959, the Russians sent Lunik II, an unmanned craft to the moon. After a two-day journey, it crash-landed on the moon.

A stream of scientific data was sent back during its trip. Hope you enjoyed the quiz and learnt something new.