Laura Trivia Quiz

Answer: Otto Preminger

Otto Preminger's first desire was to become an actor, but while working in theater, his natural talent for behind-the-scene work became obvious. After working with the legendary Austrian director Max Reinhardt, he struck out on his own, and soon caught the notice of the founders of Twentieth Century Pictures. Before long, he was in Los Angeles, and working with some of Hollywood's biggest names.

Despite clashing with Darryl F. Zanuck, one of Twentieth Century's founders, Preminger replaced the studio's first choice for directing "Laura", and went on to be nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the film. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for 1963's "The Cardinal", and he won the Bronze Berlin Bear Award for 1954's "Carmen Jones".

Answer: Gene Tierney

Laura is surrounded by people who love her - or seem to. Her business success is routinely feted by her columnist friend and mentor, Waldo Lydecker - who seems to desire more than a platonic relationship. Her love life is satisfying, and she is engaged to a Southern gentleman - who may be more playboy than husband material.

Her wealthy aunt, and friend, adores her, but is also jealous. And, at the beginning of the movie, it appears that Laura has been murdered. After several years on Broadway and in Hollywood, Gene Tierney's first critical and popular success came with 1943's "Heaven Can Wait".

The next year her role in "Laura" became her most memorable portrayal. In 1945, her role in "Leave Her to Heaven" earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Answer: shotgun blast

On a hot Friday night in 1944, Laura Hunt calls Waldo Lydecker to cancel a dinner date because she is planning on going out of town. When a female body is discovered just inside her apartment doorway, the woman's face rendered unrecognizable due to a shotgun blast, the body is identified as Laura.

Answer: bathtub

Detective McPherson, played by Dana Andrews, is a rather unconventional, but dogged investigator. He talks to Lydecker as he prowls through the columnist's penthouse, until Lydecker asks the detective to join him in the bathroom. Relaxed in the giant marble tub, a typewriter positioned to straddle the tub, Lydecker answers McPherson's questions with a seeming delight in being considered a murder suspect.

Answer: Judith Anderson

Ann claims to adore Laura, but she is also in love with Shelby Carpenter, Laura's fiance. She has been giving Shelby money, and enjoying his company whenever possible. Laura and Shelby's upcoming nuptials, however, have Ann feeling something quite different from adoration or love. Dame Judith Anderson professional career began in Sydney, in the theatrical production of "A Royal Divorce" in 1915.

After several years of struggling for success, she was established as one of the preeminent actresses in theater and film. Just a few of her better-known film roles are in 1940's "Rebecca", 1945's "And Then There Were None" and 1953's "Salome".

Answer: True

Waldo Lydecker finds Shelby Carpenter utterly despicable, and unworthy of Laura's affection. He dismisses Shelby's claims of innocence in Laura's death, and reveals that Laura had told him of her uncertainty over their wedding plans. He ends his bitter speech by asserting that Laura would not throw her life away over a male beauty in distress.

Answer: Algonquin Hotel

Waldo Lydecker's obsession with Laura is consuming. After their first meeting at the Algonquin Hotel, where he dismisses her with cold criticism, he pays a visit to her workplace - the Bullitt and Co. Ad Agency. From that point on he is obsessed with her.

Despite his seeming desire for her, his need is more consuming, more controlling, more self-centered. He cannot tolerate anyone else having her, and considers her to be his creation, his property.

Answer: True

Lydecker insists that Shelby is a philanderer, that he is two-timing Laura, both with her aunt and with Diane Redfern. Laura refuses to believe him, until Lydecker produces a cigarette case which Laura had given to Shelby - and which Diane had pawned.

When Laura wants to call Shelby to straighten out what she cannot believe, Lydecker tells her that Shelby is spending the evening with Ann. A visit to Ann's home confirms Lydecker's claim, and Laura is left unsure about Shelby, and their future together.

Answer: armchair

Feeling intrusive and uncomfortable after searching through Laura's bedroom, and reading her letters and diary, Detective McPherson settles in the living room. A drink in hand, he sits in an armchair, beneath the watchful gaze of Laura's portrait, and falls asleep. He is awakened by a noise, and the presence of a woman. Very much alive, and the epitome of McPherson's ideal dame, Laura has returned. The corpse inside her apartment doorway was not hers - it was Diane Redfern.

Answer: grandfather clock

Following a confrontation between Laura, Waldo Lydecker and Detective McPherson, Laura tells Lydecker to leave. After discovering the shotgun hidden in Laura's grandfather clock, Detective McPherson warns Laura to stay in her apartment, and leaves to arrest Lydecker. Upon his departure, Lydecker reappears, and attempts to shoot Laura. But, after being told that Lydecker had never left the building, McPherson and fellow police return to the apartment - in time to rescue Laura and kill Lydecker.