Some Classic Movies (1930-1965) Quiz

Answer: Roman Holiday

"Roman Holiday" is the story of a princess who, weary of her position, runs away. She doesn't know that the man she befriends is really a reporter out for a story. "Roman Holiday" was Audrey Hepburn's first starring role in an American made movie. She was slated to be billed below Greogory Peck, however, after seeing her talent as an actress Peck pushed for her to receive co-star billing.

She got it and the 1953 Academy Award for Best Actress.

Answer: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was based on a play by Tennessee Williams and starred Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newmen. It told the story of an injured and alcoholic ex-football star, who has lost his best friend and trust in his wife. "Lost Weekend" was a movie along the same vein, but was created in 1945. "Gentlemen's Agreement" was a film about Jewish prejudice. "Grand Hotel" was the 1931-1932 Best Picture winner, and showed the adventures of people at a hotel.

Answer: Clark Gable

From 1934-1939 Clark Gable starred in "It Happened One Night" (1934), "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935), and "Gone With The Wind" (1939).

Answer: The Apartment

"The Apartment" starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. It tells the story of a man who tries to rise in the company by letting his employers use his apartment for trysts, but he ends up falling in love himself.

Answer: Gentleman's Agreement

It also stars Dorothy Mcguire and John Garfield. In "Gentlemen's Agreement" a reporter (Gregory Peck) pretends to be Jewish in order to write a magazine article. In the end he discovers what it's like to be the brunt of prejudice and bigotry, because of one's faith.

Answer: Rex Harrison

The movie was "My Fair Lady", the 1964 winner for Best Picture. Rex Harrison plays Professor Henry Higgins, who bets he can pass a common, ignorant flower girl off as a duchess. It was discovered that Rex Harrison wore a microphone under his tie when the movie was being digitally enhanced for DVD.

Answer: The Sound of Music

Who can't remember the scene of Maria (Julie Andrews) on the Swiss Alps in "The Sound of Music"? "The Sound of Music" is based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers. In the movie the governess of seven children falls in love with their stern father. "Roman Holiday" was filmed on location in Rome, as the title suggests.

Answer: Charade

Cary Grant allowed his gray hair to be shown, without dye, for the first time on screen in this 1963 flop. "Charade" is the story of a woman who is pursued by several men who are after her husband's fortune. "Charade" was not a profitable movie at the time it was released.

However, since that time it has found a place in viewer's home video collections and a place among the best classic suspense films of all times. "Rear Window" starred Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart. "North by Northwest" and "Arsenic and Old Lace" are other Cary Grant films.

Answer: Norma Shearer

"The Women" is about affairs and divorces. Incidentally, there is not a single male in the film. Men are talked about but none are actually shown onscreen. Norma Shearer was a huge silent film star. She was married to Irving Thalberg (Thalberg Honorary Oscar), who got her a contract deal with Louis B. Mayer.

Although she won an Oscar in "The Divorcee" (1930) her career in talking pictures was not very distinguished. She lost the part of Scarlett O'Hara, through the public's objection, and turned down the role of Mrs. Miniver in the movie of the same name. Joan Fontaine was in "The Women" (Peggy) but she was never a silent film star. Olivia de Havilland (Joan Fontaine's sister) and Bette Davis were unrelated to the film.

Answer: Sabrina

"Sabrina" is the story of a chauffer's daughter who is in love with the playboy son of the family her father drives for. These lyrics play when Linus (Humphrey Bogart) and Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) are in the boat on the sea. The other three choices were 1954 Best Picture Academy Award nominees. ("On The Waterfront" won.)