Great New York Born Directors - First Movie Quiz

Answer: Fear and Desire

Stanley Kubrick was born July 26, 1928 in the Bronx, New York but lived most of his life in England. "Day of Fight" was the first film made by Kubrick but it was a 16 minute short. His first feature length was 1953's "Fear and Desire". This film tells a story of four soldiers who have to survive behind enemy lines and fight their way back to safety.

Answer: What's Up, Tiger Lily?

Woody Allen was born December 1, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. "What's Up, Tiger Lily" tells the story of Phil Moscowitz, a Japanese James Bond, who is trying to get the world's best egg salad recipe from gangster Wong Shepherd. Woody took a Japanese spy movie and put in his own voice track and made it a comedy movie.

Answer: What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?

Martin Scorsese was born November 17, 1942 in Queens, New York. "Vesuvius VI" was his first film, but it was a short. "What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?" was his first full length movie. This film tells the story of a writer who buys a picture of a boat on a lake. His obsession with this picture leaves his life disjointed.

Answer: X-15

Richard Donner was born April 24, 1930 in New York, New York. Early in his career Donner did t.v. directing. His first film was 1961's "X-15". This movie tells the story of three test pilots testing the experimental rocket plane the X-15.

Answer: Caged Heat

Jonathan Demme was born February 22, 1944 in Baldwin, Long Island, New York. Jonathan Demme has made great films such as "Silence of the Lambs", but his first film, "Caged Heat", was a women's prison B movie. This film tells the story of evil doings of prison guards on female prisoners and the girls' planned escape.

Answer: This is Spinal Tap

Rob Reiner was born March 6, 1947 in the Bronx, New York. This movie is a satirical rockumentary about members of the fictitious band Spinal Tap.

Answer: Seizure

Oliver Stone was born September 15, 1946 in New York, New York. Oliver Stone won the Oscar for directing "Platoon", his fifth film. His first film "Seizure" tells the story of a horror writer who has endless nightmares about figures from his book that terrorize him and his family. The dream becomes a reality.

Answer: Brooklyn Bridge

Ken Burns was born July 29, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York. Ken Burns has made documentaries popular. 1981's "Brooklyn Bridge" tells the history of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Answer: The Man Without a Face

Mel Gibson was born January 3, 1956 in Peekskill, New York. His first film, "The Man Without a Face" tells the story of the friendship between a disfigured teacher and his student. Their relationship causes suspicion and hostility from the town's people. Gibson produced "Forever Young" but did not direct it.

Answer: The Brothers McMullen

Edward Burns was born January 29, 1968 in Woodside Queens County, New York. He directs independent films. "The Brothers McMullen" tells the story of three Irish Catholic brothers from Long Island.