A Wing and a Prayer Trivia Quiz

Answer: Clergyman

Charles "Chuck" O'Malley went to NYC to take over some of the duties of St. Dominic's and get the parish back on its feet. From the start, Father O'Malley and Father Fitzgibbon clashed as each one had different ways of helping the struggling teenagers and the financially strapped church. With the help of his former girlfriend, O'Malley was able to help the church financially by selling the rights to a song to pay off the church's mortgage. O'Malley left the church in stable condition and left for another assignment. Bing Crosby starred as Father O'Malley in the 1944 movie, "Going My Way" and the 1945 movie, "The Bells of St. Mary's".

Answer: Clergyman

Reverend Sayer was a British missionary in Africa along with his sister Rose during World War I. When the Germans herded the villagers out, Reverend Sayer was beaten for trying to stop them. He later died from his wounds, leaving his sister Rose in the village. Reverend Samuel Sayer was played by Robert Morley in the 1951 movie, "The African Queen".

Answer: Pilot

Flight Commander Bingo Harper was instructed by his Navy superiors to lead a group of young navy pilots into a trap they would set up for the Japanese pilots. By using one carrier in several different locations, Bingo was hoping to destroy as many Japanese planes as possible.

The trap worked, but several of Bingo's navy pilots were lost in the process. Flight Commander Bingo Harper was played by Don Ameche in the 1944 black and white movie, "Wing and a Prayer".

Answer: Pilot

Joe Blake was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. Joe worked with Dr. Doug Lee to create a flight suit that would withstand high speed dives after a navy pilot died due to injuries sustained from a high speed dive. Joe Blake was killed while testing the suit after his suit's oxygen regulator broke causing him to lose consciousness and die when the plane crashed. Lt. Cmdr Joe Blake was played by Fred McMurray while Dr. Doug Lee was played by Errol Flynn in the 1941 movie, "Dive Bomber".

Answer: Self-appointed Clergyman

Harry Powell was a serial killer and a self-appointed preacher. While in prison, Harry listened to his cell mate, Ben Harper, talk about money he had hidden from a robbery. After Harper was executed, Harry was released and went looking for Ben Harper's family.

He seduced Harper's widow, Willa, and soon married her. Harry couldn't locate the money Harper had hidden and killed Willa in a fit of rage because of it. While trying to kill the children and the woman they were staying with, Harry found the money when Harper's son John tore his sister's rag doll spilling the money onto the ground. Self-appointed preacher Harry Powell was played by Robert Mitchum in the 1955 classic, "The Night of the Hunter".

Answer: Pilot

When Colonel Jim Shannon met Russian pilot Lieutenant Anna Marladovna, he believed she was a Russian spy. Jim seduced her for information and they fell in love and got married. When Jim's suspicions were proven to be correct, Jim was assigned to carry out the marriage and returned to Russia with his bride.

While in Russia, Anna learned that she was pregnant and that her Russian superiors were going to drug Jim into divulging secrets. Realizing what was going to happen, a pregnant Anna escaped with Jim back to the United States. Air Force Colonel Jim Shannon was played by John Wayne and Lieutenant Anna Marladovna was played by Janet Leigh in the 1957 movie, "Jet Pilot".

Answer: Pilot

Joe Little was an African-American First Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Joe died in combat after sacrificing himself while protecting a friend from a German fighter pilot. First Lieutenant Joe Little was played by David Oyelowo in the 2012 movie "Red Tails".

Answer: Clergyman

Reverend Anderson took in Dick Dudgeon after viewing the death of the man's father by hanging. When the British believed Dick to be Reverend Anderson, they arrested him and planned an execution. In his haste to help Dick, Reverend Anderson turned from reverend to soldier and fought the British to get back in time to save Dick from being hanged. Anderson was successful in his mission and left New Hampshire with his wife. Burt Lancaster starred as Reverend Anthony Anderson in the 1959 movie, "The Devil's Disciple".

Answer: Pilot

Just as Joseph was about to settle down with his wife and kids, the Korean War began and Joseph went to Korea as an Air Force pilot. Upon returning home from the war, Joseph took a job as a test pilot with fatal consequences. Capt. Joseph McConnell was played by Alan Ladd in the 1955 movie "The McConnell Story".

Answer: Clergyman

Father Bartolome was the spiritual adviser on the Cortez expedition. While traveling to Mexico, Father Bartolome heard the confession of a wanted criminal named Pedro. Bartolome has been ordered to take Pedro into custody, but destroyed the orders. Afterward, Father Bartolome gave Pedro penance for murdering a man. Thomas Gomez played Father Bartolome de Olmedo in the 1947 movie, "Captain from Castille".