Hawks' "Rio Bravo" Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Wayne

Born Marion Robert Morrison, the Robert was changed to Mitchell when his parents decided to name their next son Robert. His name was now the same as his paternal grandfather. He managed one film credit as Duke Morrison before his name was changed by the studio to John Wayne.

Wayne played the lead character Sheriff John T. Chance in "Rio Bravo". Over a fifty-year film career, Wayne was known for his Westerns; films like "Stagecoach" (1939), "Fort Apache" (1948) and "Rio Grande" (1950). It was, however, not until late on in his career that he won his Oscar for his performance in "True Grit" (1969).

Answer: Ex-deputy sheriff Dude

The former deputy sheriff Dude had a bit of a drinking problem, which explained the nickname. The film started with Dude going into a saloon bar for a drink. He was desperate enough to try and pick a dollar out of a spittoon where it had just been thrown. The sheriff prevented him from doing this and, perhaps out of shame, Dude knocked him out.

Answer: Angie Dickinson

Angie Dickinson was the leading lady in the film and played the part of Feathers, a gambler and the sheriff's love interest. Her acting career started in television. She appeared in the 1960 version of heist film "Ocean's 11" and "Dressed to Kill' (1980). Perhaps her best known television role was in the 1970's crime series "Police Woman" where she played Sergeant Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson.

Answer: Dean Martin

Dean Martin played Dude, the town drunk and former deputy sheriff. An Italian American, he was probably better known as a crooner. He also paired with Jerry Lewis in a comedy duo for a decade and was a member of the Rat Pack, along with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. He appeared in more than 50 films as well as his own TV show "The Dean Martin Show", which ran from 1965 to 1974 and played on his image as a drinker. He obtained a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in "Who Was That Lady?" (1960).

Answer: Dean Martin

Both Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson were known as singers and several songs were included in the film to make use of their talent. Theme song to the film "Red River" was called "Settle Down". With new lyrics, this became "My Rifle, My Pony, and Me". Dean Martin led the singing of "My Rifle, My Pony, and Me", accompanied by Ricky Nelson.

A version of "Get Along Home, Cindy" also appeared in the film. Johnny Cash's "Restless Kid", written especially for the film, was not included; Ricky Nelson instead included the song in his third album "Ricky Sings Again" (1959).

Answer: Dimitri Tiomkin

As his name perhaps suggests, he was Russian-born. He was best known for his musical scores for such Westerns as "High Noon", "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" and "The Alamo". He won four Oscars and had 22 nominations for Academy Awards.

Answer: The young gun-slinger

Ricky Nelson played the gun-slinger, Colorado Ryan. Colorado initially wished to remain neutral but when his employer Pat Wheeler was shot down, he reconsidered, but was turned down. He played a crucial role later on in assisting the sheriff overcome the Burdette men.

Answer: B.H. McCampbell

In an interview by Hawks (originally published in Movietone News 54, June 1977), Hawks reveals that he actually wrote the short story but credited it to his daughter Barbara Hawks McCampbell.

He is reported as saying: "I had fun when we wrote "Rio Bravo". My daughter was getting interested, and she had one good idea about throwing dynamite. I said, "Look, I'll write the story and give you a credit and it'll save me money on income tax and you'll get enough to buy a new house." So she's listed as the writer."

Answer: Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan was one of the few actors to have earned himself three Oscars, all for Best Supporting Actor. He was also the first to receive the Best Supporting Actor award. The films were "Come and Get It" (1936), Kentucky (1938) and "The Westerner" (1940). He was also nominated for "Sergeant York" (1941).

Answer: Sticks of dynamite were being thrown at the warehouse.

The prisoner exchange turned into a fire fight and Stumpy joined in unexpectedly. He was positioned close to a wagon carrying dynamite. Stumpy threw some unlit dynamite sticks towards the warehouse and Chance shot one to ignite it.