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Hard-Boiled Lit:the sequel Trivia Quiz

Here's some more trivia from that tough, dangerous world of the hard-boiled crime thriller, with some questions I didn't use first time out.

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

Author
tjoebigham

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
22,906

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
535

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In James M. Cain's first novel, what does the Postman always do? Hint

Ring Twice

Bushwhack Pianos

Shoot Horses

Bump into Dagwood

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What is the vocation of the main character in Cain's 'Double Indemnity'? Hint

Soda Jerk

Cabbie

Bookie

Insurance agent

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Name the protagonist of W.R. Burnett's 'High Sierra'. Hint

Robert Syverton

Lou Ford

Frank Chambers

Roy 'Mad Dog' Earle

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Who was the columnist who loved Laura Hunt in Vera Caspary's novel, and on whom was he based ? Hint

Waldo Lydecker, Alexander Woolcott

Walter Burns, Joseph Pulitzer

J.J. Hunsecker, Walter Winchell

Charles Kane, William Hearst

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. How did Mike Hammer kill the villianess in 'Kiss Me,Deadly'? Hint

He set her afire with his lighter

He drowned her

He strangled her

He shot her

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is the word that appears in the titles of the first three Paul Pine books by John Evans(Howard Browne)? Hint

Wings

Halo

Harp

Sandals

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Complete this William P. McGivern title:'_______ for Murder'. Hint

Call

Badge

Shield

Nightstick

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Find the title that doesn't belong. Hint

Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Odds Against Tomorrow

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

You'll Die Next

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which horse was Dorothy B. Hughes' protagonist supposed to ride? Hint

The blue one

The mauve one

The green one

The pink one

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Name two insects James M. Cain used in his titles. Hint

Beetle, locust

Bee, hornet

Butterfly, moth

Ant, wasp

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In James M. Cain's first novel, what does the Postman always do?

Answer: Ring Twice

A friend of Cain's, screenwriter Vincent Lawrence, gave him the idea for the title, and Cain dedicated it to VL.

2. What is the vocation of the main character in Cain's 'Double Indemnity'?

Answer: Insurance agent

A double indemnity policy pays double on seemingly impossible accidents.

3. Name the protagonist of W.R. Burnett's 'High Sierra'.

Answer: Roy 'Mad Dog' Earle

Most memorably portrayed by Bogart, Earle was patterned on John Dillinger.

4. Who was the columnist who loved Laura Hunt in Vera Caspary's novel, and on whom was he based ?

Answer: Waldo Lydecker, Alexander Woolcott

Though the film's Clifton Webb looked different, the book's Waldo was patterned on the legendary Woolcott.

5. How did Mike Hammer kill the villianess in 'Kiss Me,Deadly'?

Answer: He set her afire with his lighter

A far different ending from the nuclear apocalypse in Robert Aldrich's 50's cult film.

6. What is the word that appears in the titles of the first three Paul Pine books by John Evans(Howard Browne)?

Answer: Halo

The titles are: 'Halo in Blood', 'Halo for Satan' and 'Halo in Brass'.

7. Complete this William P. McGivern title:'_______ for Murder'.

Answer: Shield

It's about a crooked detective trying to get away with murder.

8. Find the title that doesn't belong.

Answer: Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow

The other three are hard-boiled titles, natch!

9. Which horse was Dorothy B. Hughes' protagonist supposed to ride?

Answer: The pink one

Robert Montgomery played him in, and directed, the 1940's film version.

10. Name two insects James M. Cain used in his titles.

Answer: Butterfly, moth

In his Hardboiled America, Geoffrey O'Brien thinks such titles are apt, since his heroes live 'an insectlike existence without memory or intellect'.

Source: Author tjoebigham

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