Songs from Musicals: Part I Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Wizard of Oz

"Over the Rainbow" was sung by Judy Garland (1922-1969) as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz". She sings the song to her dog, Toto about five minutes into the film. The song was written by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg for the film. The song won the Academy award for Best Original Song.

The story is one of fantasy as Dorothy and her dog are caught up in a tornado and arrive in the land of Oz with some unusual friends. It is the Wizard of Oz who can help them all return home.

Answer: My Fair Lady

"Get Me to the Church on Time" is sung by Stanley Holloway (1890-1982) as Alfred P. Doolittle in the 1964 movie "My Fair Lady". He decided it was about time to marry the lady he had been living with for the past few years to show his respectability to his daughter (Elisa Doolittle) who was moving in higher circles.

He wants to make sure his mates get him to the church on time after they go out celebrating the night before his wedding. The story revolves around a cockney flower girl (Elisa Doolittle) who takes speech lessons from a professor so that she can pass herself off as a lady.

Answer: West Side Story

"Tonight" is a song from "West Side Story" (1961) when Tony visits Maria on her fire escape. The song was later recorded by Eddie Fisher, Shirley Bassey and Andy Williams. The story concerns two gangs on the Upper West Side of New York who battle for territory, but one of the gang members falls in love with a rival member's sister.

Answer: Singin' in the Rain

"Make 'Em Laugh" was first featured in the 1952 movie "Singin' in the Rain" and the song is performed by Donald O'Connor as Cosmo Brown. He performs the song and dance routine (which required many jumps and back-flips) for his best friend Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly).

The story revolves around an actor (Don Lockwood) and his leading lady (Lina Lamont/Jean Hagen) who are trying to make the transition from the silent to the talking screen. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) falls for a chorus girl (Debbie Reynolds) who is also trying to make her name in the talking movies.

Answer: The King and I

"Hello, Young Lovers" is sung by Deborah Kerr (although voiced over by Marni Nixon) in the 1956 movie "The King and I". The song is sung by Anna (Deborah Kerr) when she tells the wives of the King of Siam about her late husband. The story concerns an English widow and her son who travel to Siam to teach English to the children of the King of Siam.

She eventually falls in love with the King.

Answer: Grease

"Summer Nights" is sung by Danny (John Travolta), Sandy (Oliver Newton-John) , the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds in the 1978 movie "Grease". The song is sung when Danny and Sandy remember their summer together. This is a musical about a Californian greaser and an Australian girl who spend a summer together and then eventually meet up again in the same high school.

Answer: Yankee Doodle Dandy

"Give My Regards to Broadway" is sung and danced by James Cagney (portraying George M. Cohan) and the Chorus in the 1942 movie "Yankee Doodle Dandy". The song was written by George M. Cohan for a musical play that appeared on Broadway in 1904. The movie is about his life from a child star to eventually a producer, director and writer who appeared in his own musical shows.

Answer: A Star is Born

"The Man that Got Away" was written by Harold Arlen in 1953 and was sung by Judy Garland in the 1954 movie "A Star is Born". The song was nominated in 1955 for the Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost out to "Three Coins in the Fountain". She sings the song in a night club after closing time at a musicians-only performance.

The story revolves around a married couple who are in entertainment and he with his stardom declining and hers on the upward trend. He turns to alcohol and eventually commits suicide.

Answer: The Sound of Music

"Do-Re-Mi" is sung by Maria (Julie Andrews) and the von Trapp children in the 1965 movie "The Sound of Music. She (Maria) is teaching the children the notes of music as they have never sung before. A widowed Naval officer writes to a convent to ask for a governess to look after his seven children for which he has very strict rules. Unknown to him, the new governess is a free-spirited girl with understanding and kindness which the children have never experienced before.

Answer: Mary Poppins

"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in the 1964 movie "Mary Poppins". The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The story is about a magical nanny who comes to work for an unhappy family and teaches them to enjoy life.