Where in the World? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Las Vegas

Hunter Thompson, credited, if you will, for inventing "gonzo journalism," wrote this non-fiction memoir of a drug-soaked stay in Las Vegas. The book was published in 1972. The movie, made in 1998, stars Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke (Thompson) and Benicio Del Toro as his lawyer accomplice Dr. Gonzo (Oscar Zeta Acosta).

These guys give two bizarre but very effective performances, so see this strange flick if you haven't already. It also includes some interesting cameos like Toby McGuire as a hitchhiker with bleached hair and Laraine Newman as "frog-eyed woman." I'm sure she's proud to put that one on her resume!

Answer: the Rockies

There are actually two movies by this title. One was made in 1937 and starred Gene Autry. The other, made in 1942, starred Betty Grable, John Payne, and the one and only Carmen Miranda.

Answer: Toledo

This is Toledo, Spain, not Toledo, Ohio. EL Greco is Spanish for "the Greek." His real name was Domenicos Theotokopoulos (see why they called him El Greco?), he was born in Crete and later lived in Toledo. Many of his works were devoted to the Church, but "View," painted around 1597, is a look at Toledo from the surrounding countryside, depicting the Spanish city as a black-and-white town on a green landscape under a stormy sky. You can see this masterpiece in person at the Met in NYC or on line at artchive.com.

Answer: L. A.

This movie was directed by William Friedkin and released in 1985. The real star of the movie, maybe unintentionally, was sleazy bad guy Willem Dafoe in one of his earliest appearances.

Answer: Idaho

This 1991 film was directed by Gus van Sant and starred River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. It was loosely based on Shakespeare's "Henry IV" although you could have fooled me. I had read the play and seen it on stage before I saw "Idaho," and I didn't see any resemblance. Surprisingly, there are 9 other movies with "Idaho" in the title. Idaho potatoes make the best French fries! Idaho is called the Gem State. Also . . . oh, never mind!

Answer: Denver

This 1995 crime drama was directed by Gary Fleder. (Who?) It starred Andy Garcia and Christopher Lloyd.

Answer: Venice

German novelist Thomas Mann (1875-1955) wrote "Death in Venice" in 1912. He left Germany in 1936 after Hitler came to power and was hated by the Nazis ever after. In 1971, Luchino Visconti filmed "Death in Venice," starring British actor Dirk Bogarde.

Answer: Berlin

In 1966, Guy Hamilton made Len Deighton's spy novel into a movie starring Michael Caine, very early in his career, as British agent Harry Palmer.

Answer: Paris

Basie and his band recorded their most famous release in 1955 on the Verve label. This is the one where, when you think the song is finished, Basie says "One more time" and later "One more once." Basie played piano and toured with his band until the mid-to-late 50s, long after most big bands had packed it in. Their appearance in "Blazing Saddles" was also memorable.

Answer: Minnesota

This 1996 release starred Cameron Diaz and Keanu Reeves, who seems to specialize in movies with states in the title (see ques. 5). Tag line: "Just when she met the man of her dreams, along came her husband to ruin everything."