Odd Actor Out Trivia Quiz

Answer: Steve Reeves

Christopher Reeve played Superman in four "Superman" films in 1978, 1980,1983, and 1987. A riding injury left him a quadriplegic although he still managed some acting roles. He died in 2004.

George Reeves is most known for his television "Superman" series (1951-58) but did have a theatrical release "Superman and the Mole Men" (1951). He died of what was ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound although other theories exist.

Kirk Alyn played Superman in a 1948 serial "Superman" and in a 1950 film "Atom Man vs Superman". Alyn found little work after this except for some uncredited film appearances.

Steve Reeves was one of the highest paid stars in Europe with his series of 'muscle-man' films such as "Hercules" (1957)and "Goliath and the Barbarians" (1959) but not Superman.

Before the part was awarded to Christopher Reeve, a Hollywood who's who were either considered for the role or auditioned. These include Muhammad Ali, Al Pacino, James Caan, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Dustin Hoffman, Neil Diamond, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Brolin, Lyle Waggoner, Christopher Walken, Nick Nolte, Jon Voight, Perry King, Kris Kristofferson, and Charles Bronson.

Answer: Gene Tierney

Irene Dunne played Anna in the 1946 edition of "Anna and the King of Siam" with Rex Harrison as the King. Scriptwriters pared the name down to 'Owens' but it was based on Margaret Landon's 1944 novel.

Deborah Kerr starred in the 1956 version based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway musical "The King and I". An uncredited Marni Nixon sang Kerr's songs. Yul Brynner who played the King went on to make the musical his personal speciality.

Jodie Foster in 1999 teamed with Yun-Fat Chow in the 1999 up-dated version of the 1946 film.

Gene Tierney was a beautiful graceful actress but she never played Anna.

Answer: Cary Grant

Connery is the quintessential James Bond. Roger Moore was an adequate James Bond minus the charisma.

Peter Sellers played James Bond in the 1966 spoof of James Bond in "Casino Royale". Woody Allen also was in that film but his name was Jimmy Bond, the real James Bond's nephew. Part of the humor is that several character claim to be THE James Bond including David Niven, Ursula Andress, Joanna Pettet, Daliah Lavi, and Terence Cooper.

The debonair Grant never did the 007 thing.

Answer: Robert Montgomery

Lewis Wilson starred as Batman in the 1943 serial "Batman" that ran 15 episodes.

Adam West popularized Batman though the television series and film releases.

Robert Lowery played Batman to George Reeves' Superman in an episode of "The Adventures of Superman" (1951-58). This was the only recorded pairing except in comic books.

Montgomery in his long career never had a chance to play the Caped Crusader.

Answer: David Carradine

Fonda played Lincoln in "Young Mr. Lincoln" (1939).

Raymond Massey appeared as Lincoln in "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940) and again in 1962 in "How the West Was Won".

Joseph Henabery was Lincoln in the classic silent film "Birth of a Nation" (1915)

David Carradine never played Lincoln but his father, John Carradine, did in "Of Human Heart" (1938).

Answer: Franchot Tone

There were seventeen films made of S.S. Van Dine's detective Philo Vance. Because Van Dine sold the film rights to the highest bidder, several actors played the part: William Powell four times, Basil Rathbone once, and Warren William twice. He was once played by Paul Lukas with a European accent. Tone never played Vance but might have been a good one.

Answer: Lon Chaney Sr.

John Barrymore lit up the silent screen in 1920 with "Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde". Fredric March was to do the same in 1931 and Spencer Tracy in 1941. Although he portrayed monsters of all types, Chaney never got around to this franchise.

The number of adaptations on Jekyll/Hyde is difficult to determine as it has been made into a stage play countless times, including a musical version. One source stated that world-wide there have been 137 film adaptations.

Answer: John Garfield

Although Bogart is the actor most identified with Philip Marlowe, he played him only in "The Big Sleep" (1946). My personal favorite is Dick Powell in 1944's "Murder, My Sweet". Elliott Gould had a turn in "The Long Goodbye" (1973). Philip Marlowe is not in Garfield's resume.

Other actors who played Marlowe include Robert Mitchum (twice), Robert and George Montgomery, and James Garner. Two other films which were based on Raymond Chandler's Marlowe but which Hollywood, in its wisdom, changed Marlowe's name, were Lloyd Nolan and George Sanders.

Answer: Vivien Leigh

Primarily known as a stage actress, Sarah Bernhardt did make eleven silent films. In 1912 she starred as Elizabeth in "The Loves of Queen Elizabeth".

Bette Davis had considerable screen chemistry with Errol Flynn in "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" (1935) and reprised the role in "The Virgin Queen" in 1955.

Cate Blanchett also has double-dipped into the role: "Elizabeth" (1998) and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age "(2007).

Others who graced the silver screen with the role include Flora Robson, Jean Simmons, Judi Dench, Glenda Jackson, and Quentin Crisp.

There no record of Vivian Leigh playing the role although.

Answer: Van Heflin

Robin Williams portrayed Roosevelt in "Night at the Museum" (2006) and again in 2009 in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian".

Berenger starred as Roosevelt in "Rough Riders" (1997).

John Alexander played Teddy in a Bob Hope comedy "Fancy Pants" (1950) and also as Teddy Roosevelt Brewster as Cary Grant's mad uncle in "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944).

That leaves Van Heflin as the odd man out.