A Night at the Hall of Fame Multiplex Quiz

Answer: Edward Ellis

In the original "Thin Man" movie, the thin man was the murder victim, Clyde Wynant, not the detective. The otherwise forgotten Edward Ellis played him. William Powell and Myrna Loy played the sleuths, Nick and Nora Charles. Dick Powell, no relation to William, had nothing to do with this movie, and if you picked Jane Powell, well, no comment.

The "Thin Man" series consisted of 6 films and lasted from 1934 to 1947.

Answer: Some Like It Hot

"Hot" featured Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in drag, Marilyn Monroe at her absolute best and most breathtaking, and three big stars from the 1930s: George Raft, Pat O'Brien, and Joe E. Brown. Great stuff! And who could forget Curtis's impression of Cary Grant, still unknown in 1929?

Answer: The Battleship Potemkin

"Potemkin," directed by Sergei Eisenstein, is essentially Soviet propaganda, but it is so well done from both the cinematic and the human standpoints that one tends to forget its political shortcomings. It includes the classic Odessa Steps sequence, studied by film students worldwide. "Strike" and "Ivan" are also by Eisenstein. "Illusion" is a classic French film.

Answer: The Silence of the Lambs

"Silence" is one of only 3 movies that have won Oscars for Best Picture, Actor, Actress, and Director. The other two are "It Happened One Night" and "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest." "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." "The answers aren't on those second-rate shoes, Clarice." "I'm having an old friend for dinner." Wonder what he meant by that!

Answer: High Noon

"High Noon" was in black and white, didn't have a very big budget, only big star was Gary Cooper (Oscar Best Actor), and then there was an aspiring young actress named Grace Kelly. (Wonder what happened to her!) But the screenplay is tops, the directing outstanding (Fred Zinneman), and the song "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'" still haunting even today. Best western ever made for my money. Of course, the Academy decided "The Greatest Show on Earth" was better, and who am I to argue? Sure! And "An American in Paris" was better than "A Streetcar Named Desire"! "Gunfighter," "River," and "Searchers" are all classic A-list westerns as well.

Answer: Saving Private Ryan

One of the most gut-wrenching films ever made, Spielberg at his best. War has never been presented as realistically on screen as it was in "Private Ryan," the amphibious invasion and the battle in the village being the best examples. Some war veterans even needed help after seeing the film because it was too much like what they had experienced.

Interesting that some of Spielberg's best films are those that depend least on special effects, like "Private Ryan," "Schindler's List," and "Empire of the Sun." And it's no accident that these are all about World War II, a subject he is very much interested in. Vin Diesel played Adrian Caparzo, member of Tom Hanks' squad.

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" is one of the 5 greatest American novels of the 20th century -- in my opinion. The others are Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms," Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye," and Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five." Director John Ford interpreted the novel perfectly on screen, capturing the populist fervor behind the stark events of the Depression.

The film has almost a newsreel quality. It also has one of the greatest speeches ever put on film: Henry Fonda's "I'll be there" speech near the end. One of the best American films.

Answer: Raiders of the Lost Ark

It's hard to have more fun at a movie than you do watching "Raiders." Adventure, action, great stunt work, humor, exotic locales, Nazis, a hero with plenty of interesting flaws, and a babe who knows how to fire a machine gun! You want more than that? And don't forget the snakes! "Why did it have to be snakes?" Would you put some more greasy-sleazy-artery-clogging-but-I-can't-help-it-I-love-it-so-much butter substitute on my popcorn please? Thanks.

Answer: The Godfather

Many consider "The Godfather" the best film ever made. I don't go quite that far, but I certainly rate it very high on all counts. Oscar for Best Picture and for Actor, turned down by Marlon Brando. Remember Sacheen Littlefeather? No? "The Godfather II," is possibly unique because a. it's a sequel b. it's a prequel and c. it even has one scene that takes place during the time frame of the first movie.

The only movie I ever saw like that. It also won the Oscar for Best Picture, the only sequel that ever has, as of 2002.

Answer: There's Something About Mary

Many found "Mary" hilarious. Many thought it was stupid. A lot of people thought it was both, but if you don't laugh a lot while watching this crazy comedy, I'll be highly surprised. And Cameron Diaz as Mary. Oh, baby! Hope you enjoyed our trip to the multiplex. Let's go again soon!