Fabulous Films of the '40s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Meet Me in St. Louis

After an uncredited participation in 1942's 'Panama Hattie', Vincente Minnelli's directorial debut was 1943's 'Cabin in the Sky'. Some of his memorable films are 1949's 'Madame Bovary', 1954's 'Brigadoon', and 1950's 'Father of the Bride'. Set in 1903, the year before the world's fair came to St. Louis, 'Meet Me in St. Louis' portrays a middle class family dealing with everyday life and the possibility of a move to New York City. Starring Margaret O'Brien and Judy Garland, the movie also features Leon Ames, Mary Astor, June Lockhart and Marjorie Main. O'Brien won a miniature Oscar for outstanding child actress of 1944.

Answer: National Velvet

While the movie only loosely follows the book, the sentiment and intensity so prevalent in the book carries over into the film. As part of a large and rather boisterous family, Velvet Brown wins a horse, finds her individuality, and takes Pie to England's Grand National race.

It stars Elizabeth Taylor as the young Velvet, and after the film, Elizabeth got to keep Pie. Anne Revere - the actress who plays Velvet's mother - went on to win a best supporting actress Oscar.

Answer: Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte's tale of an orphan girl who grows up amid bleak surroundings, and becomes a governess at the seemingly bleaker Thornfield, is a film rich in themes of family, guilt, desire and perseverance. More than a gothic romance, it's also a mystery, with the brooding Rochester's attic secret as an integral part of the movie. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the movie also stars Orson Welles, Agnes Moorehead, Elizabeth Taylor and Margaret O'Brien.

Answer: The Harvey Girls

A romping musical set in the old west, the movie centers on a hotel/restaurant chain operating in frontier towns. Coming west to work as waitresses, the Harvey girls sing and dance their way into trouble, fun and marriage. The movie stars Judy Garland and Ray Bolger, who worked together previously on 1939's 'The Wizard of Oz'. 'The Harvey Girls' also features Angela Lansbury, who turns in a sultry performance as a saloon singer.

Answer: The Wolf Man

A rather dark and moody film, the movie follows Larry Talbot's transformation from an ordinary man to an unwilling, but helpless to resist, monster. Claude Rains, and his silver-headed cane, co-stars and turns in a strong performance as Larry's father. The film also showcases the talents of Bela Lugosi, Ralph Bellamy, Warren William and Maria Ouspenskaya.

Answer: The Pride of the Yankees

Gary Cooper stars in this biopic about Lou Gehrig, his phenomenal career and the cruel affliction of ALS which ended first his career and then his life. Babe Ruth, already retired for seven years when this movie was filmed, has several scenes in the movie, including a scene where Gehrig is tricked into eating Ruth's hat. With multiple Academy Award nominations, the film also stars Teresa Wright, Dan Duryea and Walter Brennan.

Answer: Adam's Rib

Starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as the dueling lawyers, this seemingly straightforward movie about a woman who shoots her cheating husband has multiple moral and practical themes including women's rights, judicial prejudice and marital fidelity.

Answer: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

In 1900 England, a widow moves into an isolated cottage haunted by the ghost of a sea captain. As they become acquainted, and as the captain dictates his memoirs for the widow to get published, the pair fall in love. Starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison, this unique love story is haunting. The movie also features the talents of George Sanders, Edna Best and Natalie Wood.

Answer: Frank Capra

Frank Capra began his career in silent movies, first as a propman, then as a writer and director. A few of his best-known films are 1936's 'Mr Deeds Goes to Town', 1937's 'Lost Horizon' and 1938's 'You Can't Take it With You'.
'Arsenic and Old Lace' is the story of two 'sweet little old ladies' who poison their gentlemen visitors, and was originally a Broadway play. Starring Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, Peter Lorre and Raymond Massey, this comedy is equally appalling and funny, macabre and hilarious.

Answer: It's a Wonderful Life

Newly back from World War II, Jimmy Stewart invests his character with heart-wrenching sincerity, hope, anxiety and despair. The story of a man whose life keeps getting in the way of his dreams, a tale about the value of family and friends, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is the ultimate feel-good movie. And despite being considered a flop in 1946, it is a favorite holiday movie for many people.