A Dustin Hoffman Retrospective Quiz

Answer: The Graduate

These were his first four films, but it was "The Graduate" (1967) which really drew attention. Considered daring for its time, the movie followed the romantic entanglements of the aimless Benjamin Braddock, recent college graduate. His entry to a backyard party dressed in full scuba gear was a classic cinematic moment, although reference has more often been made to the seduction scene and to the marriage scene. The soundtrack, by Simon and Garfunkel, remains enough reason to watch the film, even without considering the excellent acting and direction.

Other actors considered for the role of Benjamin included Charles Grodin (not used due to a salary disagreement), Warren Beatty and Robert Redford (neither considered awkward enough), Burt Ward (busy with "Batman") and Jack Nicholson. In order to take this role, Hoffman had to arrange a release from "The Producers", and the part of Bloom eventually went to Gene Wilder.

"The Tiger Makes Out" (1967) was released before "The Graduate", but Hoffman's small part did not catch the public eye. "Madigan's Millions" (1968) was filmed in 1966, with Hoffman playing the investigator trying to recover $1 million owed the U.S. government by a gangster who had been deported to Italy; it was not released, however, until 1968. "Sunday Father" was released in 1969.

Answer: 'Ratso' Rizzo

Enrico Salvatore 'Ratso' Rizzo was the ailing conman who befriended Joe Buck, a would-be gigolo lost in the big city in the film "Midnight Cowboy" (1969). It's hard to imagine anyone more different from Ben Braddock! Hap and Jason Fister were Hoffman's characters in "The Tiger Makes Out" and "Madigan's Millions", respectively.

"Midnight Cowboy" was X-rated on release, due to its explicit sexual and drug scenes. It was highly regarded by critics, and received many awards. Dustin Hoffman received his second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and received a BAFTA. Jon Voight was also nominated for his portrayal of Joe Buck. The film received the Best Picture Oscar, and John Schlesinger was awarded Best Director. This was not a fun film, but was extremely thought-provoking. Once again, the song overlying the credits ('Everyone's Talking at Me' by Nilsson) is a trigger for memories of the Sixties.

Answer: led the Indians against Custer at the Little Big Horn

Dustin Hoffman portrayed Jack Crabb at various ages, between 17 and 121, earning him an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for 'Greatest Age Span Portrayed by a Movie Actor'. As the advertising blurb claimed, 'Little Big Man Was Either The Most Neglected Hero In History Or A Liar Of Insane Proportion!' According to Crabb in the film, he was both at different times.

The film showed him as responsible for the demise of Custer at the battle of Little Big Horn, but while he was acting as a scout for Custer, not as a leader of the Indians.

Answer: Straw Dogs

This was yet another controversial film, one which still divides critics in their evaluation. Hoffman played David Sumner, a young American recently moved to England, who retaliated violently against the harrassment of the locals. The rape of his wife, and allegations of rape against one of the workers renovating his house, created a cauldron of tension that eventually overflowed. Once again, here was an intense and intriguing movie, but not a pleasant one!

"John and Mary" (1969) featured Hoffman and Mia Farrow as two young people who met and spent the night together, then used the following day to find out a bit about each other.

"Who is Harry Kellerman . . ." (1971) had Hoffman as a dysfunctional pop star, George Soloway. (Soloway = Soul Away?) For realism, Hoffman was filmed in front of a real audience (waiting for a Grateful Dead concert) at the now-defunct Filmore East.

"Agatha" (1979) offered a possible explanation for the real-life mystery of the disappearance of mystery-writer Agatha Christie for 11 days in 1926. Hoffman played the American reporter who located her.

Answer: Valerie Perrine

All of these women starred with Hoffman in early movies, but Valerie Perrine played Honey Bruce. A former Las Vegas showgirl, she brought gritty reality to the part. Some movie fans may recall her better from her part as Lex Luthor's companion Eve Teschmaker in "Superman:The Movie" and "Superman II".

Brenda Vaccaro was the dusky-voiced Shirley in "Midnight Cowboy", Susan George was Amy Sumner in "Straw Dogs" and Faye Dunaway was Louise Pendrake in "Little Big Man".

"Lenny" was another film that earned a basketful of Oscar nominations, but no gongs, possibly due to the controversial nature of the film's subject. Lenny's anti-establishment politics probably deterred the Academy members even more than his prosecution on multiple charges of obscenity.

Answer: Carl Bernstein

Richard Nixon was the Republican president running for re-election at the time. He was later forced to resign from the presidency due to this incident and its subsequent concealment. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) were the two 'Washington Post' reporters who uncovered the details.

They were alerted to the situation by an anonymous informant whom they knew only as 'Deep Throat'.

Answer: John Schlesinger

John Schlesinger, who also directed "Midnight Cowboy" (never being one to shrink from controversial subjects), put Hoffman through his paces in this story of a graduate student (and compulsive runner) who was drawn into a web of international intrigue. Hoffman was Thomas Babington 'Babe' Levy, and Laurence Olivier was featured as former SS dentist Dr. Christian Szell, "the White Angel" of Auschwitz, responsible for one of the most horrifying torture sequences in my memory!

Schlesinger was reported to have wanted Al Pacino for the part of Babe Levy, but producer Bob Evans overruled him. He also wanted Julie Christie (whom he had earlier directed to an Oscar in "Darling") for the female lead, but she turned the part down.

Mike Nichols directed "The Graduate"; Arthur Penn directed "Little Big Man"; Alan Pakula directed "All the President's Men".

Answer: Justin Henry

This was Justin Henry's first acting role of any kind, and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 8! The film captured a slew of Oscars: Best Film, Best Screenplay based on another medium (Robert Benton), Best Director (Robert Benton), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Meryl Streep) and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Dustin Hoffman).

Howard Duff and George Coe had other roles in the film.

Answer: They all appeared in "Tootsie".

Michael Dorsey was an actor with a reputation for being difficult to work with, with the consequence that he had trouble finding work. In a moment of desperation he disguised himself as a woman to get a part in a soap opera. He became a star, but his life became an emotional mess!

Bill Murray played Michael's roommate, Jeff Slater. Dabney Coleman played Ron Carlisle, the director of the soap opera in which 'Dorothy' starred alongside Jessica Lange's character of Julie Nichols, with whom Michael fell in love. Sydney Pollack had a cameo as George Fields, Michael's agent, as well as directing this comedic masterpiece.

Answer: False

Charlie is the yuppie; Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) is the autistic-savant.

Hoffman was originally slated to play Charlie, but preferred the part of Raymond. The original script had Raymond as happy and friendly, but Hoffman decided that he would be more appropriately played as autistic. He wanted Bill Murray to be Charlie, the role that eventaully went to Tom Cruise.