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1950s All American History 2 Trivia Quiz

Calling all Baby Boomers - again! Let's see how much you know about the decade of "Loving Lucy" and "Liking Ike"!

A multiple-choice quiz by brewster76. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
brewster76

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
295,213

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
4507

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 184 (9/10), Guest 73 (8/10), Guest 174 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1958 Columbia University instructor Charles Van Doren admitted that he had received answers prior to his numerous appearances on a television game show. A congressional committee investigating rigged quiz programs followed the next year. Which show was accused of providing the popular and telegenic Van Doren the answers in an effort to boost ratings? Hint

"The $64,000 Question"

"Twenty-One"

"Your Show of Shows"

"What's My Line"

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. In 1956 Warren Buffet put $5,000 into a limited partnership that would eventually finance his purchase of what would become the world's most profitable conglomerate holding company, Berkshire Hathaway. What is Buffet's nickname that alludes to his investing genius? Hint

The Oracle of Omaha

The Wizard of Wichita

The Sage of Saginaw

The Titan of Topeka

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Question 3 of 10

3. Dwight Eisenhower's Secretary of State John Foster Dulles had a well-known brother named Allen. What was Allen Dulles' claim to fame? Hint

First Director of Central Intelligence (forerunner of the CIA)

Engineer who designed Washington Dulles International Airport

First husband of Margaret Truman

Attorney who asked Joseph McCarthy: "Have you no sense of decency, sir?"

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Question 4 of 10

4. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame credits Bill Haley with being the "Father of Rock and Roll" based on his hit song that was #1 on the Billboard charts for two months in 1955 after it was popularized in the movie "The Blackboard Jungle." What is this possibly first-ever rock and roll chart topper? Hint

"At the Hop"

"Johnny B. Goode"

"Rock Around the Clock"

"Shake, Rattle and Roll"

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Question 5 of 10

5. This American teenager, who was the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Champion of 1952-1954, was the first woman to win all four Grand Slam tennis events in one calendar year. Tragically, her career ended at the age of 19 following a horseback riding accident. Who was this '50s phenomenon? Hint

Althea Gibson

Wyomia Tyus

Margaret "Marvelous Meg" Smith Court

Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly

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Question 6 of 10

6. On September 28, 1953 the notorious kidnapping and murder of Bobby Greenlease, the son of a wealthy Kansas City Cadillac dealer, captured the nation's attention. The alleged kidnappers were caught on October 6, 1953 and confessed. What was the length of time from the commission of the crime to the perpetrator's execution? Hint

3 years

Almost 30 years

13 years

Less than 3 months

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Question 7 of 10

7. In April, 1951 Matthew Ridgway became well known for his new job. What was it? Hint

He replaced Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski in the Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire"

He replaced Louis B. Mayer as president of MGM

He replaced Branch Rickey as general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers

He replaced Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Korea

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Question 8 of 10

8. On March 31, 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein's only musical written for television, "Cinderella", was broadcast live on CBS. Who starred in the title role of this production? Hint

Julie Andrews

Hayley Mills

Lesley Ann Warren

Elizabeth Montgomery

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In 1955 this former German scientist became a naturalized American citizen. Who would later be known as the father of the US Space Program, but could also be called the original "Rocket Man"? Hint

Wernher von Braun

Elton John

Edward Teller

J. Robert Oppenheimer

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. On the last day of the 1950s this future thespian was born. He would later portray Simon Templar, Jim Morrison and Doc Holliday. Can you spot him? Hint

George Clooney

Val Kilmer

Kevin Costner

Dennis Quaid

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 18 2024 : Guest 184: 9/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 73: 8/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 71: 10/10
Nov 21 2024 : jonnowales: 7/10
Nov 17 2024 : Guest 107: 6/10
Nov 08 2024 : Guest 66: 8/10
Oct 25 2024 : calmdecember: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: "Twenty-One"

Van Doren was played by Ralph Fiennes in the film 1999 film "Quiz Show" based on these events. One of the congressional aides in the investigation was attorney Richard "Dick" Goodwin, the future husband of presidential biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin. He was played by actor Rob Morrow of "Northern Exposure" fame.

Answer: The Oracle of Omaha

Berkshire Hathaway stock has traded for as much as $100,000 per share. In 2008 Forbes ranked Buffet as the world's richest man, after 13 years of the top spot being dominated by Bill Gates. He resided for more than 50 years in the same Omaha home he and his wife purchased in the 1950s.

3. Dwight Eisenhower's Secretary of State John Foster Dulles had a well-known brother named Allen. What was Allen Dulles' claim to fame?

Answer: First Director of Central Intelligence (forerunner of the CIA)

Allen Dulles served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1953-1961. His nephew is Roman Catholic Cardinal Avery Dulles. Dulles International Airport is named for his brother, John. Joseph Welch was the disgusted attorney who uttered the famous words to McCarthy. Truman's first and only husband was "New York Times" editor Clifton Daniel.

Answer: "Rock Around the Clock"

"Rock Around the Clock" was released in 1954 but didn't register on the charts until it was chosen to play over the opening credits of "The Blackboard Jungle" in 1955. The song re-entered the charts in 1973 when it was featured on the sound track of "American Graffiti" and again the next year as the theme song for "Happy Days."

Answer: Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly

At the time, 17 year old Maureen Connolly was the youngest female to win all four Grand Slam events in one year. She died of cancer in 1969 at age 34. Smith and Gibson were also Wimbledon champions. Tyus was an Olympic gold medal winning sprinter.

Answer: Less than 3 months

Bonnie Heady and Carl Austin Hall pled guilty to the kidnapping and murder of young Bobby Greenlease and were convicted by a federal jury on November 19, 1953 after only a little more than one hour of deliberation. The jury also recommended the death penalty for the pair. Less than 15 minutes after the verdict was read, Judge Albert Reeves sentenced both of them to be executed on December 18, 1953.

This sentence was carried out. Talk about justice being swift and severe!

7. In April, 1951 Matthew Ridgway became well known for his new job. What was it?

Answer: He replaced Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Korea

Ridgway assumed command of the Allied forces in the Far East on April 11, 1951. In his 1967 book on the war, General Ridgway stated that while the President and MacArthur engaged in a battle of wills, Truman was the commander in chief and the general's public criticism of him bordered on insubordination. Ridgway lived until age 98 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary.

8. On March 31, 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein's only musical written for television, "Cinderella", was broadcast live on CBS. Who starred in the title role of this production?

Answer: Julie Andrews

Although broadcast in color, only a black and white kinescope of this show now exists. Other actors in this production included Kaye Ballard, Alice Ghostley and Edie Adams. A more famous version with many of the same songs was also broadcast by CBS in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren, Ginger Rogers, Walter Pigeon and Celeste Holm.

9. In 1955 this former German scientist became a naturalized American citizen. Who would later be known as the father of the US Space Program, but could also be called the original "Rocket Man"?

Answer: Wernher von Braun

Wernher von Braun led the German team that developed the V-2 rocket. He and several members of his technological staff were taken from Germany by the US Army to continue their research, first in Texas and then in Alabama. Wernher von Braun's work eventually resulted in the first rocket-launched US satellites.

10. On the last day of the 1950s this future thespian was born. He would later portray Simon Templar, Jim Morrison and Doc Holliday. Can you spot him?

Answer: Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer was born December 31, 1959 in Los Angeles. Members of "The Doors" reportedly found it hard to distinguish Kilmer's vocals from Morrison's on the soundtrack of "The Doors". He was a high school classmate of noted actors Mare Winningham and Kevin Spacey.

Source: Author brewster76

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