1980 Movies Part 1 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fame

"Fame" was inspired by the musical "A Chorus Line". The movie was supposed to be filmed at the High School of Performing Arts but permission was denied because of the subject matter. The movie was shot in New York City. After Alan Parker was hired as the director he rewrote the script with Christopher Gore. Irene Cara died November 25, 2022.

"Fame" is a movie about several teenagers who attend a New York high school for gifted students in performing arts. The movie follows the teenagers as they audition for coveted spots at the school. They grapple with issues such as homosexuality, abortion and suicide.

Answer: Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

This is the second movie in the "Star Wars" trilogy. The budget was $30 million and has since earned more than $549 million. Leigh Bracket was hired to write the screenplay. After she died in 1978 George Lucas outlined the saga and wrote the draft himself before hiring Lawrence Kasdan.


"Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back" is about a battle between Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. Luke, Hans and Princess Leia are under attack by Imperial forces on the ice planet Hoth. When Luke escapes, he travel in search of Yoda.

Answer: The Blue Lagoon

Henry De Vere Stacpoole wrote "The Blue Lagoon" in 1908. Brooke Shields won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst actress. The sequel to "The Blue Lagoon" debuted in 1991.

"The Blue Lagoon" is about two young cousins who are shipwrecked on an island. They fall in love and have a baby. Years later Richard's father comes to the island. After drifting on the ocean for days, Richard and Emmeline wake and find Paddy has eaten poisonous berries. Richard and Emmeline then eat the berries themselves.

Answer: The Shining

"The Shining" is based on the 1977 Stephen King book. The movie was filmed in Colorado. Jack Nicholson was Stanley Kubrick's first choice to play Jack Torrance. Robin Williams and Harrison Ford didn't meet Stephen King's approval for the movie. Jack Nicholson thought Jessica Lange would be a better fit to play Wendy instead of Shelley Duvall.

"The Shining" is about a family staying at a hotel for the winter in Colorado. Danny, the son has psychic powers and tries to warn his father about the ghosts. At the end of the movie Jack goes mad when the supernatural beings in the hotel invade his mind.

Answer: Caddyshack

"Caddyshack" was Harold Ramis' directorial debut. ESPN has said "Caddyshack" is "perhaps the funniest sports movie ever made". In 1988 Chevy Chase reprised his role as Ty Webb.

"Caddyshack" is about an upscale country club with a scheming president. Danny is trying to earn enough money for college and is a caddy for Ty. Judge Smails sees a gopher damaging the golf course and tries to kill it.

Answer: Airplane!

"Airplane" is a parody of the movie "Zero Hour". It has been said to be the second greatest comedy movie of all time behind "Monty Python's Life of Brian". Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker wrote the script for "Airplane" while preforming with the Kentucky Fried Theater.


Ted Striker is a war veteran terrified of flying. He breaks up with his girlfriend and buys a airplane ticket on the same flight that she's on. After the flight crew gets sick Ted must fly the airplane.

Answer: Cannibal Holocaust

"Cannibal Holocaust" was inspired by media coverage of the Red Brigades terrorism. The movie was filmed primarily in the Amazon. Because the horror movie was so realistic Ruggero Deodato was charged with several counts of murder but was later cleared of all charges. It was rumored that several actors were killed on camera.

A team of an American film crew disappears in the Amazon rainforest. Harold Monroe, an anthropologist, must find the group. After Harold returns home to New York he reviews the footage he found. He finds that the group had staged all the footage and terrorized the natives.

Answer: Friday the 13th

"Friday the 13th" was the first movie in the franchise. The original screenplay was called "A Long Night at Camp Blood". The producers originally wanted Sally Field for the role of Alice. They couldn't afford a high profile actress and instead hired unknown actors. Estelle Parsons and Shelley Winters were asked to portray Mrs. Voorhees both turned down the offer.

"Friday the 13th" is about a group of camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake summer camp. They are trying to reopen the camp when the teenager camp counselors are murdered.

Answer: The Blues Brothers

"The Blues Brothers" character were created by Dan and John from the "Saturday Night Live" show. This was the first screenplay Dan Aykroyd wrote. "The Blues Brothers" holds the record for most cars destroyed in the course of production.

"The Blues Brothers" is about two brothers who are singers. Jake has been released from prison. When he and Elwood find out that the Catholic orphanage where they were raised is being closed, they raise money to keep it open.

Answer: The Elephant Man

"The Elephant Man" was inspired by Joseph Merrick, who had Proteus syndrome. Mel Brooks produced the movie but was uncredited to avoid audiences anticipating one of his comedic movies. John Hurt would set in the makeup chair for seven to eight hours a day.

"The Elephant Man" is about a man who had Proteus syndrome in London. A surgeon rescues him from a being a side show freak. John Merrick begins to speak and have visitors come into his room. John is taken back on the road as a sideshow attraction. When John is released from the circus he is sick and dies in the hospital.