Oscar's Best Pictures Trivia Quiz

Answer: it was a silent film

"Wings" was a WWI story about two fighter pilots who are both in love with the same woman. It stars Clara Bow and "Buddy" Rogers with Gary Cooper. It won a total of two Oscars: Best Picture (called Best Production in 1927) and Best Engineering Effects.

The score was written and composed with a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. Modern revival showings often seek to use the same instrument for realism.

This was Edith Head's first film as a costume designer. She went on to win eight Oscars for her work in films like "All About Eve" and "The Sting". Edith was also parodied with her trademark horn-rimmed glasses in "The Incredibles".

Answer: New York Police Department

Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner Cloudy (Roy Scheider) play good cop/bad cop with a dealer they have chased down near the beginning of the movie. Popeye is dressed in a Santa suit as he loudly accuses the terrified suspect of sticking his finger between his toes and picking his feet. Popeye used this nonsensical questioning to confuse the suspect into giving up information.

The filmmakers didn't get permission to film the car chase scenes under the El in New York City. Many of the dangerous scenes were completed without the public being aware that filming was happening.

Answer: "Gigi" (1958)

Maurice Chevalier opens the movie with this memorable song on the streets of early 20th century Paris. Gigi is the story of a young Parisian girl (Leslie Caron) coming of age and falling in love. The songs and lyrics are from the legendary Lerner and Lowe, best known for their work in "My Fair Lady".

All four of these musicals won for Best Picture.
"Oliver!" was the last G rated movie to win Best Picture in the 20th century.

Answer: gets shot in the Korean conflict

Forrest was a hero in the Vietnam War, getting shot in the "buttocks" while rescuing his platoon under fire. Upon receiving the Medal of Honor from President Johnson, he bares the part in question.

At the end of the movie Forrest discovers that he has a son with the love of his life, Jenny. Forrest Gump, Jr. is played by the child star from "The Sixth Sense", Haley Joel Osment.

Weird Al Yankovic does a hilarious parody song called "Gump" featuring many of Forrest's amazing exploits.

Answer: anti-Semitism

A journalist in New York City (Gregory Peck) pretends to be Jewish to write a story on anti-Semitism. His fiance tries to call off the stunt when things get a bit heated. Peck finds religious intolerance everywhere, from meeting the parents of his fiance to trying to check into a hotel.

Elia Kazan, known for controversies of his own, won for Best Director.

Answer: to buy booze

The opening scene shows bottles of booze hanging out of a NYC apartment building window. This could be often seen in real life after the movie was released.

Billy Wilder struck gold twice, winning for Best Director and Best Screenplay. Wilder was a legendary director also known for "Some Like it Hot", "Sunset Boulevard" and "The Apartment" (1960 Best Picture).

The soundtrack of "The Lost Weekend" was the one of the first to feature the eerie musical instrument known as the theremin. The theremin consists of a box with two metal loops; one extended to the side and one pointed up. Players, do not touch the loops, but use hand positioning to control pitch and volume. The best known use of the instrument is probably from the song "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys.

Answer: "The Life of Emile Zola" (1937)

A biopic at its best. The story follows Zola from his early starving artist years with his friend Cezanne, continues with his rise to fame through the publication of many influential books, and climaxes with his crusade to free Captain Dreyfus.

The Dreyfus Affair was a huge political scandal in France during the 1890s and 1900s. Zola won the public's sympathy with his open letter "J'accuse!" (I accuse) in a French newspaper.

Answer: "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)

"Gone with the Wind" won Best Picture in 1939. In it Hattie McDaniel was the first black American to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy. McDaniel is famous for saying, "I'd rather play a maid than be one."

Two more all time classics, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "Stagecoach" were also released in 1939.

Answer: Mrs. Miniver

"Mrs. Miniver" is set in England during the early years of WWII. It follows the trials of a London middle class family who face Luftwaffe bombing runs, the Dunkirk evacuation, and a downed German pilot. All of this set against a competition for best rose. The Wilcoxon Speech by the vicar in a bombed out church is one of the film's highlights, and is very inspirational.

The film won a total of six Oscars; including William Wyler for Best Director, Teresa Wright for Best Supporting Actress, and Greer Garson in the title role for Best Actress. Garson's acceptance speech was a record 5 1/2 minutes long!

Answer: "You talkin' to me?" - "Raging Bull"

"You talking to me?" is the famous ad-libbed line by Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver". De Niro also starred in "Raging Bull", which lost Best Picture in 1980 to "Ordinary People".

"You will someday" is the last line of "American Beauty".