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Movie Quiz: Barton Fink: 10 Questions | Movies

The lasting appeal of "Barton Fink" is due to various elements almost, but not quite, fitting into a rational whole. To this day, arguments erupt over obvious and subliminal symbolism, and the Coen brothers continue to shun explanations.

A multiple-choice quiz by shawn-m. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
shawn-m

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
164,186

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
388

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Near the begining of "Barton Fink," the Harold publishes a favorable review of Barton's play. What's the name of the play? Hint

Marty & Abby

Fresh Fish

Bare Ruined Choirs

Triumph Of The Common Man

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which brand is Barton's typewriter? Hint

Hudsucker

Smith Corona

Sterling

Underwood

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Question 3 of 10

3. "Ben Geisler" is seen on the glass next to Geisler's office door. What is the other name pained on the glass? Hint

Jerry Kahn

Lou Breeze

Sam Raimi

Alan Smithee

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the title of the film W.P. Mayhew is working on? Hint

Slave Ship

Devil On The Canvas

Simple Plan

Nebuchadnezzar

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which one of the following is never seen in "Barton Fink"? Hint

Bowtie

Hotel Earle's exterior

Automobile

A single animal

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Question 6 of 10

6. Charlie and Barton become friends when they first meet. Shortly before leaving Barton's hotel room, Charlie does what? Hint

Tells Barton he'll get through his writer's block

Flings the remains of a drink on the room's floor

Apologizes for hurting Barton during a wrestling lesson

Says, "Jeez, what a dump," when the wallpaper begins to peel

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Question 7 of 10

7. What does Barton find in the hotel room's Gideon Bible? Hint

A dead mosquito

Genesis corrupted by Barton's writing

A swath of wet wallpaper

A black and white picture of Charlie

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Question 8 of 10

8. As Barton exits his hotel room into a flaming hallway, what does Barton NOT bring with him? Hint

His typewriter

Charlie's package

His new screenplay

His hat

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Question 9 of 10

9. "Barton Fink" was edited by Roderick Jaynes. Who is Roderick Jaynes? Hint

Michael Miller

Joel and Ethan Coen

Rodger Deakins

Sam Raimi

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Question 10 of 10

10. Joel Coen (age 36 at the time) said the brothers were able to make movies the way they wanted, in part, because... Hint

Their films were low-budget

They knew how to market John Goodman

Their films attain cult status

Frances McDormand had trouble remembering which brother she'd married

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Near the begining of "Barton Fink," the Harold publishes a favorable review of Barton's play. What's the name of the play?

Answer: Bare Ruined Choirs

Struggling playwright-turned-screenwriter Barton Fink was partially based on Clifford Odets. Except, according to Joel Coen, Fink was never destined to achieve Odets' level of success in Hollywood.

2. Which brand is Barton's typewriter?

Answer: Underwood

John Underwood bought a pre-existing patent and manufactured typewriters with revolutionary "front-stroke" keys. This was the secret to Underwood's success since typists could finally see keystroke results as they typed.

3. "Ben Geisler" is seen on the glass next to Geisler's office door. What is the other name pained on the glass?

Answer: Jerry Kahn

Jerry Kahn is never seen or otherwise mentioned in the film. Non-critical and detail oriented names frequently allude to someone a filmmaker knows, but it remains obscure as to who "Jerry Kahn" really is.

4. What is the title of the film W.P. Mayhew is working on?

Answer: Slave Ship

The film title of "Slave Ship" is seen written on the chalkboard affixed to Mayhew's bungalow door.

5. Which one of the following is never seen in "Barton Fink"?

Answer: Hotel Earle's exterior

The hotel's exterior is never shown, but bowties are seen in the film's beginning, cars pass by during an outdoor park sequence with Barton, Audrey and Bill, and a bird dives into the ocean at the end of the film.

6. Charlie and Barton become friends when they first meet. Shortly before leaving Barton's hotel room, Charlie does what?

Answer: Flings the remains of a drink on the room's floor

The sound of liquid hitting the floor is unmistakable.

7. What does Barton find in the hotel room's Gideon Bible?

Answer: Genesis corrupted by Barton's writing

In close-up, the following lines are seen on the first page of Genesis: 1. Fade in on a tenement building on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Faint traffic noise is audible; 2. As is the cry of fishmongers.

8. As Barton exits his hotel room into a flaming hallway, what does Barton NOT bring with him?

Answer: His typewriter

Which begs the question; if the hotel is on fire, why would Barton so calmly leave his room without the instrument of his livelihood? The two recently murdered detectives are also conspicuously absent from this hallway scene, which gives the scene a surreal quality and makes one wonder, "What's real and just how much of the story takes place in Barton's mind?"

9. "Barton Fink" was edited by Roderick Jaynes. Who is Roderick Jaynes?

Answer: Joel and Ethan Coen

Both Joel and Ethan Coen often edit their films under this name.

10. Joel Coen (age 36 at the time) said the brothers were able to make movies the way they wanted, in part, because...

Answer: Their films were low-budget

Incidentally, Frances married Joel.

Source: Author shawn-m

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor linkan before going online.
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