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Quiz about Remembering the 50s 1953 Americana

Remembering the 50s - 1953 Americana Quiz

The year was 1953 and Americans saw the death of Soviet leader Josef Stalin and of atomic spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; he by an alleged stroke, they by the electric chair.

A multiple-choice quiz by rblayer. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
rblayer

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
182,733

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1268

Last 3 plays: lgholden (6/10), Johnmcmanners (10/10), Fiona112233 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What plastic-bodied automobile came out in 1953? Hint

Packard DeLuxe

Ford Edsel

Chevrolet Corvette

Volkswagan Beetle

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Question 2 of 10

2. On May 18, 1953 Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman do what? Hint

Climb Mt. Everest

Break the sound barrier

Swim the English Channel

Drag race

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was on the cover of the first issue of TV Guide? Hint

Milton Berle

Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV

Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca

Jack Webb

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Question 4 of 10

4. What convenient household product did Dow Chemical begin marketing in 1953? Hint

Drain-o

Spic-n-Span

Saran Wrap

Comet

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Question 5 of 10

5. Americans began their love affair with James Bond with the publication of what Ian Fleming novel? Hint

Dr. No

Casino Royale

Goldfinger

From Russia With Love

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Question 6 of 10

6. The French Sardine Co. had been in existence since 1917. To what did it change its name in 1953? Hint

Bumble Bee

Mrs. Paul

Star-Kist

Chicken of the Sea

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Academy Awards were televised for the first time in 1953. What movie won Best Picture? Hint

High Noon

Casablanca

From Here to Eternity

The Greatest Show on Earth

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was the male star of the first 3-D movie "Bwana Devil"? Hint

Victor Mature

Gordon Scott

Robert Stack

Johnny Weismuller

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Question 9 of 10

9. What popular singer did Arthur Godfrey fire on the air on October 19, 1953 causing a public uproar? Hint

Dennis Day

Julius La Rosa

Frank Parker

Archie Bleyer

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Question 10 of 10

10. Playboy Magazine began publication featuring nude photographs of Marilyn Monroe. What was the cost of an issue? Hint

$1.25

75 cents

50 cents

$1.00

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 06 2024 : lgholden: 6/10
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Nov 08 2024 : Fiona112233: 5/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What plastic-bodied automobile came out in 1953?

Answer: Chevrolet Corvette

The first production Corvette rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953 at a plant near Flint, Michigan. Its sticker price was just over $3000. The Corvette was the first series-production car with a fiberglass body.

2. On May 18, 1953 Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman do what?

Answer: Break the sound barrier

Getting encouragement from the legendary Chuck Yeager, Jacqueline Cochran flew a Canadian F-86 Sabre jet at an average speed of 652.337 mph, becoming the first woman to break the sound barrier on May 18, 1953, at Rogers Dry Lake, California. She was also the first woman to land and take off from an aircraft carrier.

3. Who was on the cover of the first issue of TV Guide?

Answer: Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV

The April 3, 1953 initial issue had Lucy and Desi's baby on the cover. Jack Webb of "Dragnet" graced the cover the following week.

4. What convenient household product did Dow Chemical begin marketing in 1953?

Answer: Saran Wrap

In an accidental discovery in 1933, a college student attempting to clean a Dow lab vial found a substance that he could not scrub off. This was polyvinylidene chloride or Saran, and researchers made a dark green, smelly film that was used by the military to protect airplanes from salty sea spray. It was later refined into the clingy product used to cover dishes and wrap sandwiches.

5. Americans began their love affair with James Bond with the publication of what Ian Fleming novel?

Answer: Casino Royale

Ian Fleming died of a heart attack at the Royal St. George's Sandwich golf course in Kent on 12 August, 1964. His last novel "The Man with the Golden Gun" was finished by his literary executors and published posthumously.

6. The French Sardine Co. had been in existence since 1917. To what did it change its name in 1953?

Answer: Star-Kist

"Good taste" spokesfish Charley the Tuna did not come along until 1961.

7. The Academy Awards were televised for the first time in 1953. What movie won Best Picture?

Answer: The Greatest Show on Earth

Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, the film stars Betty Hutton and Cornel Wilde as trapeze artists and Charlton Heston as the circus manager.
The other nominees were:
High Noon
Ivanhoe
Moulin Rouge
The Quiet Man

8. Who was the male star of the first 3-D movie "Bwana Devil"?

Answer: Robert Stack

Premiering on November 27, 1952, "Bwana Devil" was the first full-length color 3-D movie in the United States. It was written and directed by Arch Oboler.

9. What popular singer did Arthur Godfrey fire on the air on October 19, 1953 causing a public uproar?

Answer: Julius La Rosa

"Arthur Godfrey and His Friends" never quite recovered its popularity after the abrupt dismissal of the popular singer. Godfrey's stated reason was a "lack of humility", but the fact that La Rosa's popularity was skyrocketing and he had hired his own manager and had refused to take Godfrey-ordered dance lessons also contributed to the firing. La Rosa went on to record big hits.

10. Playboy Magazine began publication featuring nude photographs of Marilyn Monroe. What was the cost of an issue?

Answer: 50 cents

To buy that same issue today would set you back somewhere between $5000 and $6000.

Source: Author rblayer

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