Pam and Don Go To The Movies Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Gods Must Be Crazy

When a pilot throws away a Coke bottle, he has little notion that the bottle will upset the equilibrium of a primitive tribe on the Kalahari Desert. Add to this an hilarious romance, a Land Rover with a mind of its own, and an inept army of revolutionaries, you have a break-through comedy.

"The Gods Must Be Crazy" was filmed and released in 1980 but was not released in the United States until 1984. It became a worldwide sensation. It prompted four sequels which were lackluster filmed in Hong Kong. It maintains a 98% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating for its creativity and freshness.

Answer: The Moon is Blue

When film censorship became rampant in 1935-36, films on the whole became a watered down product that steered away from adult themes except for a few instances. Otto Preminger had directed F. Hugh Herbert's "The Moon is Blue" on the stage and in 1952 tried to bring it to the screen. When the script was submitted to the Breen Office, it was rejected due to "light and gay treatment of the subject of illicit sex and seduction" and "an unacceptably light attitude towards seduction, illicit sex, chastity, and virginity," Contrary to the myths that have grown through the years, the words virgin, mistress, and pregnant were not specifically mentioned.

Preminger and Herbert waged a public campaign to overturn the edict. With the backing of the studio, it was released in test markets and later to the general public without Breen Office approval. Not a great film by any means but it broke the censorship power to dictate what could or could not be filmed.

Answer: The Bride

"The Bride"(1985) was more than remake, as Pam points out. It was more a continuation of the original. The singer, Gordon Sumner (alias Sting) plays the relentless Dr. Frankenstein and Jennifer Beals (the dancer in "Flashdance"(1983)) is Eva, the bride (1983). Clancy Brown is Viktor, the monster, more in keeping with Shelley's novel.

The film was generally panned by critics. Rotten Tomatoes give it only a 22% rating. Jennifer Beals won the Razzy Award for worst actress of the year.

Answer: Passage to India

E.M. Forster published "A Passage to India" in 1924. However, it was not until 1984 that David Lean brought it to the screen. It was the last film that Lean directed. The plot seems influenced by a powerful Freudian theme set between the tensions of the ruling British and the Indian/Hindu culture.

Doctor Aziz, a nervous man, tries to curry British favor. He promises to show the 'real' India to Adela Quested (Judy Davis) and Mrs Moore (Peggy Ashcroft) by taking them to the spectacular Malabar Caves. Aziz has to put together a lot of details for the rail trip to the caves. At the caves Adela becomes confused and lost in the caves and accuses Doctor Aziz of raping her. The climatic scene is the trial itself.

"A Passage to India" was the darling of the 1984 Academy Awards with eleven nominations but won only two, one of which was Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Peggy Ashcroft. She was the oldest winner of that prize up to that time. Maurice Jarre won for original musical score.

Nominations included Best Picture, Directing, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Screenplay, Art Direction, Set Decoration, Best Writing, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.

Answer: Citizen Kane

Orson Welles took the legend of William Randolph Hearst and wove an intriguing drama that stunned audiences and critics alike. Welles' 1940 production on release failed to recoup its cost. It might have been forgotten until a glowing review from French writer and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre stirred attention. "Citizen Kane" dominated many lists for many years as the greatest film of all time.

The story of Kane's rise and fall as a journalist and public figure has intrigued both audiences and critics.

It has been particularly praised for its cinematography, narrative, and innovation. Herman Mankiewicz and Welles shared the Oscar for best screen play in 1941. It was the film's only win although it had nine nominations.

Answer: The Egg and I

"The Egg and I" hovers between being a humorous memoir and a novel as it is based on the experiences of a young couple beginning a chicken ranch in Washington state. It was published in 1945 and by the end of 1946 had sold a million copies. In 1947 an adaptation was brought to the screen starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert. As supporting characters, Pa and Ma Kettle stole the show and ended up with a series of eight films with Ma and Pa. It should also be noted that Marjorie Main received an Oscar nomination for her role as Ma.

It is easy to see why Pam might become addicted to the Kettles. Not so easy to understand Don's interest in the WWE and NASCAR.

Answer: Magnolia

This film has no leading man or woman. Instead it has one of the best groups of actors in what would normally be supporting roles. Paul Thomas Anderson blends coincidence with drama, interlocking story lines, and concludes with an unexpected biblical finale. Roger Ebert once termed it operatic.

During this journey you will meet an aging quiz kid, a wife who steals drugs from her dying husband, a cop who loses his gun, and a nurse who likes porno magazines, just to name a few. They seek redemption and forgiveness from their sins, real or imagined. "Magnolia" was pretty much ignored by the Academy but was nominated for three awards, supporting actor (Tom Cruise), screenplay (Anderson), and song "Save Me" (Aimee Mann). Internationally it was on many lists.

Answer: Hairspray

Harris Glenn Milstead's professional name was Divine. He starred as Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray"(1988), a role that John Travolta recreated in "Hairspray" (2007). Milstead's forte was female impersonation in which he appeared in a number of John Waters' cult films. "Hairspray" was his most remembered role. Milstead will always be remembered for demonstrating coprophagia in "Pink Flamingos"(1972). He died at 42 due to a heart attack.

Rotten Tomatoes liked both films with 1988 version with 97% and the 2007 91%.

Pam thinks that Travolta was miscast. But maybe she just had a secret crush of him.

Answer: Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino has a passion for old "B" movies and he incorporates them into his films. Although nominated for seven awards, it won only one for screenplay to Tarantino and Avery. It won the Palme d'Or at the esteemed 1994 Cannes Film Festival and many other awards and recognitions. It revived John Travolta's career.

Answer: Terms of Endearment

At the 1984 Academy Awards, "Term of Endearment" captured the heart of academy voters. Shirley MacLaine was voted Best Actress and Jack Nicholson was honored for his supporting role. The critics apparently found more chemistry in the relationship than Don did.

James L. Brooks took the trifecta by being awarded Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It was an adaptation of Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel of the same name.

The film deals with the complications of relationships such as between mother and an adult child and intertwined with romantic involvement of both mother and child. The film is augmented by strong supporting performances by
Debra Winger Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels and John Lithgow.