Film Debuts of the Stars Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Silver Chalice

In 1954 Paul Newman played the Greek slave, Basil, in "The Silver Chalice". I guess slaves were too poor to have a last name! Basil is a skilled artisan and he is given a chance to "cast and engrave Jesus' cup" from the Last Supper. Alas, all does not go smoothly (or there would be no movie).
Newman later appeared as Rocky in the fight film "Somebody Up There Likes Me" in 1956, the story of Rocky Graziano.
In 1958 he played Ben Quick in the "Long, Hot Summer" from a book by William Faulkner; and that same year he was Brick Pollitt in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

Answer: Meryl Streep

In 1977 Meryl Streep played Anne Marie in a small role opposite Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave in the biopic "Julia". This was an Oscar winning drama written by Lillian Hellman (who was played by Fonda) who goes to Russia and is reunited with Julia, her childhood friend. Lillian was then asked to help smuggle money into Germany to help fight against the Nazis. Her lover, Dashiell Hammett, was played by Jason Robards.
The other incorrect choice (to confuse you) was Vanessa Redgraves' younger sister, Lynn, who had a hit with "Georgy Girl" in 1966.

Answer: Carbon Copy

"Carbon Copy" (1981) features a very young Denzel Washington as Roger Porter, who learns that his biological father is Walter Whitney (George Segal), who happens to be a very 'white' business executive who lives in a Southern California suburb (also very 'white').

When Whitney learns of his progeny he is shocked but welcomes the teenager into his home. Unfortunately, his wife, Mrs. Whitney, is not nearly so accepting and throws them both out of the house. On top of that, Walter gets fired by his racist boss. Denzel's other films: "A Soldier's Story" as PFC Petersen (1984), "Cry Freedom" as Steve Biko, and "The Mighty Quinn" as Xavier Quinn (1989).

Answer: Bette Davis

Way back in 1931 Bette Davis first appeared on the screen as Laura Madison in "The Bad Sister". This was also actress Sydney Fox's film debut (though obviously, without quite the same success). Sydney actually has the title role as the 'bad sister', debutante Marianne Madison, who falls for a con man named Valentine Corliss (Humphrey Bogart). Now Corliss has a plan to get the girls' father to support a money-making scheme, and then runs away with the 'loot' and Marianne, but (in these days Bogart was a 'bad guy') then he dumps her. Marianne comes back to town and marries some rich guy. Enter Dr. Lindley who loves Marianne, but now turns his attention to Laura...did you forget Bette?

Answer: Spencer Tracy

It appears that Humphrey Bogart was in a few stars' debut films (see Question #4), including (surprisingly) Spencer Tracy. In this somewhat convoluted plot, Steve Jordan (Bogart) is a former felon who is being blackmailed about his past so he will commit another crime.

In order to 'save' him, two convicts, i.e., Saint Louis (Spencer Tracy) and Dannemora Dan (Warren Hymer?) break out of prison. Saint Louis cautions Steve not to commit the violent crime: "Steve, did you ever see a guy go to the 'chair'? Huh? Well I did... Let me tell ya, it's no picnic." Tracy had to take a two week leave of absence from a Broadway show to be in this film.

Answer: Satisfaction

I always thought "Mystic Pizza" was Julia Roberts' debut film released on October 21, 1988, but, according to IMDb, she was in the movie "Satisfaction" as Daryle. "Satisfaction" was released on February 12, 1988 and Julia Roberts was billed, although it was Justine Bateman who played the lead. Bateman played Jennie Lee, the lead singer of a band called Mystery, who falls for bar owner Martin Falcon (played by Liam Neeson!). Anyway, the band gets offered a gig in Europe which could make them famous, but which would take Jennie away from Martin.

Other Julia Roberts' movies: "Steel Magnolias" as Shelby (1989) and "Sleeping with the Enemy" as Laura Burney (1991).

Answer: Morgan Freeman

"Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!" is a 1971 movie starring Jack Klugman as Barney whose 'rainbow' is a pony farm in the middle of Manhattan, as he tries to raise money for kids. Morgan Freeman plays the role of 'Afro' but, apart from that, plot information on this movie is extremely sketchy since it played in movie theaters as a double bill, and only for a very short time. I find it interesting that I can get so much more detail on films from the 1930s! Morgan Freeman has been around a long time and, in the 1970s, was on the TV show "The Electric Company", with characters like 'Easy Reader'.

In 2004 he won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in "Million Dollar Baby".

Answer: There's One Born Every Minute

Here again, I had no idea that Elizabeth Taylor was in movies before "Lassie Comes Home" in 1943 but, in fact, she played Gloria Twine in the 1942 movie "There's One Born Every Minute" (from a P.T. Barnum quote). Old time actor Hugh Herbert played Lemuel Twine who invented a patented formula for prepared pudding that is full of...Vitamin Z for Zumph; I'm not sure what Zumph is, but I have to assume it's a good thing. Anyway, Lemuel then runs for mayor while his opponent tries to brand him as a fake but, do you really care? Taylor's other films: "Lassie Come Home" as Priscilla in 1943, Velvet Brown in "National Velvet" (1944), and "Father of the Bride" as Kay Banks (1950).

Answer: Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe first appeared in the film "Prisoners of the Sun" or "Blood Oath" in 1990 as Lieutenant Corbett, with Bryan Brown as Captain Cooper. The film is set in Indonesia in 1945 where, due to abusive practices by their Japanese captors, the Australian POWs were quickly dying off. George Takei (Sulu) was also in it as Vice Admiral Baron Takahashi. Rusell Crowe has gone on to make many major movies and win an Academy Award as Best Actor in "Gladiator" (2000), as well as receiving Best Actor nominations for "The Insider" (1999) and "A Beautiful Mind" (2001).

By the way, all of the incorrect choices are also from New Zealand.

Answer: Sally Field

"The Way West" was Sally Field's first movie in 1967, as Mercy McBee opposite Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum and Richard Widmark. Yes, TVs "Gidget" and "Flying Nun" made it to the big screen with some very 'heavy hitting' actors. The plot had Senator Tadlock (Douglas) heading west for 'greener pastures'. Of course there was trouble along the way, with one of the pilgrims accidentally shooting the son of a Sioux chief. Sally Field has gone on to major acclaim with Best Actress Oscars for "Norma Rae" (1979) and "Places in the Heart" (1984), because "You like me. You really like me".

She was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress in "Lincoln" (2014).