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Good Night, and Good Luck. Trivia Quiz

A television news reporter challenges a powerful United States Senator in this Oscar-nominated film.

A multiple-choice quiz by rblayer. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
rblayer

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
232,465

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
252

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Around what CBS news reporter did the film center? Hint

Walther Cronkite

Dan Rather

Ralph Edwards

Edward R. Murrow

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Question 2 of 10

2. Before what group was the main character making a speech at the beginning of the film? Hint

News directors

Republican convention

U.S. Senate

Television sponsors

3. Senator Joseph McCarthy was exploiting the "Red Scare" of the early 1950s by accusing people of being Communists with little or no evidence. What U.S. state did McCarthy represent in the Senate? Hint

Rhode Island

Maine

Wisconsin

New Hampshire

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was Milo Radulovich? Hint

Communist spy

CBS executive

U.S. Congressman

Air Force officer

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name of the CBS News program that began its attack on McCarthyism on October 20, 1953? Hint

You Asked for It

See It Now

You Are There

Up Close and Personal

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Question 6 of 10

6. CBS news reporter Don Hollenbeck was viciously attacked by McCarthy and conservative newspaper columnists about his alleged communist sympathies. How did Hollenbeck deal with the situation? Hint

He sued for slander

He committed suicide

He resigned from CBS

He emigrated to the Soviet Union

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was CBS employees Shirley and Joe's big secret? Hint

They were married

They worked for McCarthy

Their parents were Russian

They were communist spies

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the movie, what famous entertainer was interviewed on the CBS program "Person to Person"? Hint

Lucille Ball

Walt Disney

Fess Parker

Liberace

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who was Fred Friendly? Hint

Alcoa cartoon character

Radio psychologist

CBS weatherman

News producer

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Senator Joseph McCarthy's downfall began when he accused what organization of being infiltrated with communists? Hint

Boy Scouts of America

U.S. Congress

F.B.I.

U.S. Army

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Around what CBS news reporter did the film center?

Answer: Edward R. Murrow

Murrow gained early fame for his radio reports from London during World War II. Actor David Strathairn was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the legendary reporter.

2. Before what group was the main character making a speech at the beginning of the film?

Answer: News directors

The movie began and ended with Murrow addressing the Radio Television News Directors Association about the responsibility of television news. He warned the group that if not handled properly, television is "just wires and lights in a box".

Answer: Wisconsin

The junior Senator from Wisconsin was in danger of losing his congressional seat in 1950, and took up tracking down suspected communists and communist sympathizers as a means of getting publicity and ensuring his re-election.

4. Who was Milo Radulovich?

Answer: Air Force officer

Lieutenant Radulovich was discharged from the service after his father and sister were labeled as communist sympathizers.

5. What was the name of the CBS News program that began its attack on McCarthyism on October 20, 1953?

Answer: See It Now

Murrow closed his program about the Air Force's dismissal of an officer because of alleged communist activities of his father with the comment, "the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, even though that iniquity be proved beyond all doubt, which in this case it was not." Lieutenant Radulovich was later reinstated.

6. CBS news reporter Don Hollenbeck was viciously attacked by McCarthy and conservative newspaper columnists about his alleged communist sympathies. How did Hollenbeck deal with the situation?

Answer: He committed suicide

Murrow's friend and colleague died by his own hand by turning on the gas on his kitchen stove. Hollenbeck was played by actor Ray Wise.

7. What was CBS employees Shirley and Joe's big secret?

Answer: They were married

Joe and Shirley Wershba were in violation of CBS's strict rule against employees being married. When they were later confronted by a superior, he advised them that he knew, and that everyone knew that they were married. Joe and Shirley were played by actors Robert Downey, Jr. and Patricia Clarkson.

8. In the movie, what famous entertainer was interviewed on the CBS program "Person to Person"?

Answer: Liberace

Murrow obviously much preferred his hard-news program "See It Now" to the fluff "Person to Person". Oddly, he asked the openly gay Liberace when he was going to settle down, get married and raise a family.

9. Who was Fred Friendly?

Answer: News producer

Friendly, portrayed by George Clooney, who also directed and co-wrote the film, was Murrow's program producer and biggest supporter. A scene at the end of the movie depicts Murrow and Friendly being reassigned to an hour-long Sunday evening news program, an early precursor to "Sixty Minutes".

10. Senator Joseph McCarthy's downfall began when he accused what organization of being infiltrated with communists?

Answer: U.S. Army

McCarthy's reckless and unsubstantiated charges that the United States Army was rife with communists drew counter-attacks from President Eisenhower on down. He was investigated by the U.S. Senate and censured. He passed away shortly thereafter.

Source: Author rblayer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nannanut before going online.
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