"Giant" - The Movie Trivia Quiz

Answer: Edna Ferber

Enda Ferber no doubt would have been a gifted author even without her membership and association with the notable "Algonquin Round Table" but the daily dose of their wit and wisdom must have been an asset rather than a liability to an up and coming writer. Ferber was able to prove her self worthy in many formats of literature.

She wrote novels, shorts stories and plays. "Giant" became one of her best loved novels.

Answer: James Dean

"Giant" would be James Dean's last movie although he was just 24 years old at the time of his death. His good looks, natural talent and penchant for the "rebel" parts had already earned him a huge following - to iconic size. Dean had played the part of a drunken Jett Rink near the close of "Giant"; a few lines of his mumbling needed to be re-recorded by a voice-over actor for the movie's release.

Answer: Maryland

One of the artistic liberties taken in the movie was to change the setting of the heroine's family from Virginia as written in the novel to Maryland for the movie. Then as production of the movie began most of the "Maryland" shots were actually filmed in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Answer: War Winds

Apparently, exercising a bit of artistic liberty the horse's name was changed from "My Mistake" as it was in the novel. "War Winds" must have had a more debonair sound on the big screen.

Answer: Elizabeth Taylor

The leading role of Jordan Benedict had been given to Rock Hudson. The film's director, George Stevens, gave Hudson the option for the female lead - choose between Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly. The mesmerizing, on-screen chemistry the two leads shared proved Hudson made the right choice.

Answer: Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper had worked in "Rebel Without A Cause" with James Dean before appearing with him in "Giant". The two had become friends and it was said of Hopper that "he was shattered" when he learned of James Dean's death. In "Giant" the part that Hopper played was one that would become a familiar one for him - a character not afraid to go against the grain of society.

Answer: In real life Carroll Baker was older than Elizabeth Taylor.

Ah, the power of a good make-up artist! Yes, Carroll Baker was older than Elizabeth Taylor. Yet, they managed to play their parts flawlessly. Carroll Baker's career was at a zenith - she had just completed her role in "Baby Doll", which would earn her an Oscar nomination, when she joined the cast of "Giant".

Answer: Reata

To film the magnificent expanse of the Reata Ranch the film cast and crew of "Giant" literally captured the Texas town of Marfa for several weeks. Many of the town's people were "extras" in the film, particularly in the famous barbecue scene that has Taylor's character faint in the Texas heat. Locals were also hired to work as stage hands, bit part actors and coaches in Texas dialect, mannerism and style. For most, this made the intrusion into their community much easier to accept.

Answer: Little Reata

"Giant" has too many wonderful scenes to ever pick a favorite but on or near the top of anyone's list must be the scene where the good ol' boys are telling Jett Rink about his inheritance and offering him "a lot a money" for it. Dean plays the part to perfection. Absent-mindedly playing with a rope (lasso), shifting in his chair, refusing their deal, retrieving his hat and leaving the room with a simple wave of hand. Too cool for words! Who else could have done that scene?

Answer: George Stevens

The cast and crew of "Giant" were very complimentary of their work and time spent with George Stevens. Somehow he must have made the arduous task of creating a larger than life fictional ranch from a flat land near desert environment less work and more like a labor of love.

He not only won his Oscar for Best Director but the film earned nominations for Hudson, Dean, McCambridge and a nomination for Best Picture, among others.