More Classic Movies - Name the Co-Star Quiz

Answer: Anne Bancroft

The late Anne Bancroft was nominated for an Oscar for her work in the film. She received five nominations during her career, with one win for "The Miracle Worker" in 1962. She was married to the comedian and director Mel Brooks, and co-starred with him in several films. This 1967 film marks the debut of one of our finest actors, Dustin Hoffman.

He plays Benjamin, Katherine Ross plays Elaine Robinson (the daughter), both giving Oscar-nominated performances. Mike Nichols is the director, and he received an Oscar for it. Actors Richard Dreyfuss and Mike Farrell have uncredited bit parts in the film.

Answer: Debbie Reynolds

"Singin' in the Rain" is one of Debbie Reynolds' first films. She has gone on to star in many light comedy and musical films, and has been well-loved by the public for many years. She continues to work on television and in Las Vegas. Gene Kelly (the co-director as well as star) has said that he was very rough on her during the filming, and hadn't actually wanted her for the part. According to Debbie Reynolds, the making of "Singin' in the Rain" was the hardest job she ever had.

This great musical contains an unforgettable song and dance routine by Gene Kelly.

He twirls an umbrella while singing the title song, as he dances and jumps into puddles while the rain pours down. It is certainly one of the most famous film musical numbers of all time. Stanley Donen directed, along with Kelly. Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno had smaller parts in the film.

Answer: Eva Marie Saint

Eva Marie Saint won an Oscar for her performance in this fine film. She went on to star in "A Hatful of Rain" in 1957, and then paired with Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" in 1959. "On the Waterfront" is directed by Elia Kazan, and the cast includes Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger and Karl Malden.

In the film, dock workers are turned against each other as hearings are held investigating union crimes. Terry's brother Charley is involved. He has to face his conscience, at the urging of Edie Doyle and a local priest, Father Barry. Marlon Brando's performance in this film, his natural acting style, is wonderful to watch.

The story was written by Budd Schulberg.

Answer: Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange got her start in films as the Fay Wray character in "King Kong" in 1976, and many thought she was just another pretty face. But she went on to star in "Frances" (1982) "Country" (1984) "Music Box" (1989) and "Sweet Dreams" (1985), and was Oscar nominated for all these performances.

This in addition to the two Academy Awards she actually won, for "Tootsie" (1982) and "Blue Sky" (1994). Dustin Hoffman portrays Michael Dorsey, the actor who dresses as a woman. Michael (as Dorothy) immediately becomes so popular with the public that he is forced to live his whole life as Dorothy.

As he falls in love with Julie, Julie's father falls in love with Dorothy/Michael. "Tootsie" is a terrific comedy, with a cast that includes Bill Murray, Charles Durning as Julie's father, Dabney Coleman and Sydney Pollack as Michael's agent. Pollack also directed.

The three actresses mentioned above also appeared in "Tootsie".

Answer: Jack Nicholson

The film is "Easy Rider" (1969), directed by Dennis Hopper. It was a landmark counter-culture film in the 1960's, a pretty good portrayal of how things were in that turbulent era. Jack Nicholson is one of the film industry's most respected actors.

He is so versatile, he can play anything, from the good guy Randle McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) to the devilish Darryl Van Horne in "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987). Nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, he's won for "As Good as It Gets" (1997), "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and "Terms of Endearment" (1983)(Supporting Actor).

He was nominated for "Easy Rider" as well, and Fonda, Hopper and author Terry Southern were nominated for the screenplay. Jack Nicholson was born in 1937, and so were the other three actors mentioned.

Answer: Kim Hunter

Kim Hunter was primarily a stage actress, and appeared in only a few films. She was one of many actors blacklisted during the McCarthy era for alleged communist sympathies. She played "Stella" in the original Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' play.

It opened on Broadway on December 3, 1947, with a young Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski and Jessica Tandy as Blanche DuBois. Brando was an immediate sensation in the play, with his great charisma and magnetism. He is widely thought of as one of the greatest actors of all time. Jack Nicholson has been quoted as saying of Brando: "We are all Brando's children, he gave us our freedom." "A Streetcar Named Desire" was nominated for twelve Oscars, including Best Picture. Elia Kazan was the director. Kim Hunter won the Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her work in the film.

In addition to Hunter's Oscar, the Best Actress Award went to Vivien Leigh and Best Supporting Actor to Karl Malden, with Brando and Kazan receiving nominations as well.

Answer: George Raft

George Raft made a career playing gangster parts, and here he parodies himself nicely. Raft actually started his show business career as a dancer and chorus boy.
Marilyn Monroe is in top form in "Some Like It Hot". The difficulties that many people appeared to have experienced in working with her seem to have been worth it, because she is great fun to watch here, and looking absolutely gorgeous. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are terrific as well. The 1958 film is directed by Billy Wilder.

Answer: Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman won Oscars for "The French Connection" (1971) and for "Unforgiven" in 1992. He began his acting career at the age of thirty, alongside his great friend Dustin Hoffman. Hackman is considered to be one of the all-time great film actors, for his versatility and his ability to "disappear" into a role. Think of "The Conversation" (1974), "The Chamber" (1996), "Mississippi Burning" (1988), I Never Sang for My Father (1970) and "Scarecrow" (1973)(said to be Hackman's favorite).
"Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) was brilliantly directed by Arthur Penn. The film received ten Oscar nominations and was awarded two, one for cinematography, the other for Estelle Parsons' performance as Buck Barrow's goofy wife Blanche. It is a vivid portrayal of the story of two young criminals and their cohorts. Set in a time of terrible economic conditions in the United States, the film shows us how the pair came to be romanticized by the press and the public.
Clyde Barrow was a bank robber, safe cracker, and car thief. He was eventually joined by Bonnie Parker, in what came to be called the Barrow Gang. Their exploits were written up in all the newspapers, indeed they wrote letters and poems to be published by the press. The general public seem to have been enthralled with the couple, believing them to be modern-day Robin Hoods. Public opinion changed when the Gang murdered several police officers, said to have numbered as many as ten. The law eventually caught up with them and gunned them down on May 23, 1934. This event was shown with graphic mayhem in the film.

Answer: Karen Allen

Karen Allen was very charming in this film. She went on to make "Starman" (1984) and "The Perfect Storm" (2000) and to work on the stage. Tom Selleck was first choice for the part of "Indiana Jones", but had to turn the part down because of another commitment. Harrison Ford got the part and made it his own, and it is one of the highlights of his fine career. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was an enormous success, directed by Steven Spielberg, who solidified his reputation as a director of successful artistic and commercial movies. Spielberg has received six Academy Award nominations for Best Director, and has won twice, for "Schindler's List" (1993) and "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).

Answer: Ron Howard

This 1973 film is filled with young actors who would go on to big careers. In addition to Richard Dreyfuss, the cast includes Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Cindy Williams, Suzanne Somers, MacKenzie Phillips and Harrison Ford. "American Graffiti" is a coming-of-age classic, beautifully done.

Many of the cast members have gone on to great success in the movies. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard as young men who have just graduated from high school, and tells how they spend the last night in their small home town before going off to begin the rest of their lives.

The films ending is especially poignant because we are told the fate of the young men at the end of the film.