Films of the 1950s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rocky Graziano

"Somebody Up There Likes Me" was based on the life of Rocky Graziano, former Middleweight Champion of the World.
Originally it was planned to have James Dean in the starring role, but sadly he was killed before filming started. The part was offered to Paul Newman and it was one of the first starring roles that Paul had. It was also one of the first films that Steve McQueen appeared in.

Answer: Rififi

In 1955 the French film "Rififi" was released. It had a total running time of 115 minutes and was about a group of thieves robbing the safe in a jewelry store. For approximately 30 minutes, during the break in, the only sounds heard were the actors coughing and the sound of drills and other tools that were being used in the robbery.
It had been planned to use background music during this sequence, however the Director decided that having no dialogue or music would add to the tension of that particular scene.

Answer: Marty

"Marty", released in 1955, won Borgnine an Oscar for Best Actor. This was a story about two lonely people who believed that they would stay alone for the rest of their lives, until they met up with each other and romance bloomed again. The film was quite a departure from some of the tough guy roles that Ernest had played.
"Marty" won a total of four Oscars in 1956 and cleaned up at most of the other International Award Ceremonies.
Another interesting fact is that Borgnine only got paid $5,000 dollars for his classic performance. However he was quoted as saying " I would have done it for nothing"

Answer: Carry On Sergeant

"Carry On Sergeant" released in 1958, was a film about a group of men completing their National Service in the Army. This was the first of the many "Carry On" films produced at Pinewood Studios. The success of this film lead to a further 29 "Carry On" films to be completed between 1958 and 1978.

Answer: Carousel

"You'll Never Walk Alone" was sung in the Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Carousel", released as a film in 1956 starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Fifteen years after Billy was killed in a bungled robbery, he was allowed to come back to earth for one day in an attempt to make amends for the way he had treated his wife and daughter when he was alive.
The song was sung after the death of the main character, Billy Bigelow, by Claramae Turner, in an attempt to give courage to Julie Jordan, who was pregnant with Billy's child at that time.
The song became famous in the early 1960s when recorded by the British Pop Group Gerry and the Pacemakers when it went to Number 1 in the British Charts where it remained for four weeks.
It was then adopted by the Liverpool Football Club Supporters when it became their national anthem and is still sung at the beginning of each match. The words "You'll Never Walk Alone" form part of Liverpool Football Club's crest.
Later on it was also used by the Celtic Football Club of Glasgow.

Answer: Phffft

"Phffft", released in 1954, earned Judy Holliday a BAFTA nomination as Best Foreign Actress. The story was about a couple who, after being married for eight years, decided to go their separate ways. However, even though dating different people, whenever they met they found that their relationship was not dead.
Famous for her portrayal as a dumb blonde, she won an Oscar in 1950 for her role in "Born Yesterday"
Sadly, she died when she was 43 from breast cancer.

Answer: Dragnet

In 1954 Warners produced a full length film based on the Radio and TV Series "Dragnet". "Dragnet" was a fictionalised series of stories about the work of the Los Angeles Police Department. Some of the episodes were so realistic that they were used as training films for the LAPD.
Jack Webb,(Sergeant Joe Friday ) starred in the film as well as the TV Series. He was also the producer and director. A further film was produced in 1987 starring Dan Aykroyd as Joe Friday.
When Jack Webb died in 1982, the LAPD announced that badge number 714, ( which was the number used by Sergeant Joe Friday in the series) would be retired

Answer: The Wild One

"The Wild One" starring Marlon Brando, and Lee Marvin told the story about The Black Rebel Motorcycle Gang whose 40 members terrorised a small American Town. The film was deemed too violent to show in British cinemas and was consequently banned until 1963.

Answer: Sinking of the Titanic

The 1958 film "A night to Remember" depicted the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Told through the eyes of Second Officer Herbert Lightoller it is still, quite possibly, the most definitive story of the actual events that occurred on that fateful night; the film sticking faithfully to the events as they happened.
Lightoller, played by Kenneth Moore, was the most Senior Officer to survive the sinking of the passenger liner, and went onto to serve in the Royal Navy during both World Wars.
The film was adapted from the book by Walter Lord.

Answer: Audie Murphy

Although Audie Murphy was originally underweight and of small build, he persuaded the authorities to let him join the infantry and went into combat in 1943. During his period of service he received the Medal of Honour, Distinguished Service Cross and three Purple Hearts. He also received numerous other medals including the French Croix de Guerre.
"To Hell and Back" depicted his exploits whilst serving with the American Army in Europe during the Second World War.

Answer: Tex Ritter

"Do Not Forsake Me" or, as it is more widely known, "The Ballad of High Noon" was sung in the film by Tex Ritter. This song won an Oscar for The Best Original Song in 1952. In addition Gary Cooper picked up The Best Actor Award for his role as Will Kane,
Many other versions of this song have been recorded including ones by Frankie Laine and Connie Francis.

Answer: Alastair Sim

Alastair Sim played both parts in the film based on characters created by Richard Searle.
The film shows the girls, at "The School for Young Ladies", doing battle with the Ministry of Education, the local police force and their teachers.

Answer: A King in New York

In 1959 Charlie Chaplin starred in "A King in New York", which was not only his 81st film but the last film in which he had a starring role.
Starring as King Shahdov, a European King fleeing his country, he traveled to New York. Eventually he ended up appearing before Senator McCarthy's hearings into Communist activities in the USA.
Chaplin was also the producer and director of the movie. Although he appeared in the 1967 film "A Countess from Hong Kong" he only had a cameo role.

Answer: Ben Hur

"Ben Hur" won 11 Oscars in 1960 including Best Picture.
The picture told the story of two old friends who fell out after one was accused of trying to murder the other. Judah was accused by his old friend Messala, who was Governor, of trying to kill him. Judah was sent off to the galleys whilst his mother and sister were sent to jail. Judah eventually returned and looked for revenge.
Charlton Heston won The Best Actor Award. With a run time of 212 minutes and production costs of $15 million it was, without doubt, the biggest Hollywood production of that time.

Answer: Tiger Bay

Hayley Mills starred with her father, John Mills, in the 1959 film "Tiger Bay".
Hayley played the part of a young girl who witnessed a Polish sailor shooting his girl friend. She found the gun but lied to the police about what happened, only to find herself getting deeper and deeper in trouble.
She had previously appeared in the film "So Well Remembered" released in 1947, also starring John Mills, however she only played an infant and was not credited with the part.
She was earmarked to star as Lolita in 1962 but Walt Disney, with whom she had a contract, reckoned that she was too wholesome to appear in that particular role.