Classic Trivia from Classic Films Part 2 Quiz

Answer: Henry Fonda

Henry started acting in his 20s in amateur theatre in Omaha where a friend of his mother, one Dorothy Brando, the mother of Jocelyn and Marlon Brando, was a principal and director. Although a popular film actor, he also continued his stage career, in 1948 starring (and winning a 'Tony') in the Broadway play 'Mr. Roberts' with none other than Jocelyn Brando in the cast.

They also appeared together in glossy magazine ads for 'Arrow' shirts with a 'Mr. Roberts' theme circa 1950.

Answer: Financial reasons

The director, Claude Lelouch, in a later interview stated the American distributor wanted a colour film. However Claude's budget was limited so he compromised and shot the exteriors in colour and interiors in black and white.
In 1986, Lelouch used the same lead actors to film a sequel around their lives 20 years later and we learn the romance didn't flourish. The sequel was not as well received as the original.

Answer: Steve McQueen

Despite his many good film roles this was Steve's only Oscar nomination. The other three choices have been nominated more than once. The U.S.S. San Pablo (nicknamed 'The Sand Pebbles') is on patrol in a Chinese river in 1926, a time of revolution. An attempt to rescue American missionaries results in Steve's character (a Machinist's Mate First Class) making the ultimate sacrifice.

Answer: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Peggy not only co-wrote and sang songs for the soundtrack but also voiced four characters. And Stan 'St. George and the Dragonet' Freberg did the voice of the Beaver who aids Lady and Tramp during an adventure. Lady is from a good home but problems ensue when her owners discover they are expecting a child. Tramp is from the wrong side of the tracks.

He meets Lady and tells her that her human babies are trouble. After many adventures, true love (and puppies) come to Lady and the Tramp.

Answer: Ray Charles

Ray recorded this tune with his old friend Quincy Jones, who wrote the music. Quincy and Ray first met when only 14 and 16 respectively. Quincy was nominated for a Grammy for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television for this film.

Answer: Florence of Arabia

The true title of the film was 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962), a film based on the exploits of a British soldier, T E Lawrence, during the First World War. Peter starred in it and was nominated for one of the film's seven Oscars. I have seen this clever line quoted as: "If he was any more beautiful, they'd have to call it 'Florence of Arabia'." Whatever version, I have found no one to refute that it was Noel's line.

Answer: Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia, my home town, was the main setting for the film with exterior shots filmed in and around the city. Fred Astaire, as a scientist, played his first dramatic film role and also wins the last Australian Grand Prix during the film.

Answer: Alec Guinness

Suitably made up Alec played all the eight family members that Dennis Price's character murders in this comedy crime drama. Sir Alec would be best known these days for his 'Star Wars' role (Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi) as well as his Oscar for 1957's 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'.

Answer: Oliver!

'Oliver!' was adapted from the stage musical which in turn was based on Charles Dickens 'Oliver Twist'. The story is of an orphan who escapes the system only to fall in with a gang of thieves in London. Oliver eventually escapes the thieves and finds his family. Mark Lester plays Oliver but his singing was handled by Kathe Green, then only 20, the daughter of the film's Oscar winning musical arranger, Johnny Green.

The 'tone deaf' quote is attributed to Johnny Green revealing the fact in 1988.

Answer: Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn won a Best Actress Oscar in this, her first major film role. Did you know that Gregory Peck, who played the journalist, met a French news journalist named Veronique Passani while in Europe for the shooting of this film? They married in 1955 and she was at his bedside when he died in June 2003.