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"The Lost Weekend" (1945) Trivia Quiz

Directed by Billy Wilder, this film garnered four Academy Awards, including the award for Best Picture.

A multiple-choice quiz by christopherm. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
christopherm

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
282,322

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
346

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who portrays the character of Don Birnam? Hint

Ray Milland

Gene Tierney

William Holden

Brian Donlevy

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Question 2 of 10

2. Don's brother, in an effort to provide a more suitable environment, has made arrangements to go to a farm. Before they depart, however, Don schemes to have a few more drinks. Where has he hidden a bottle of whiskey? Hint

It's outside of his apartment window, tied to a string.

It's behind the bookcase.

He has hidden it under the bed.

The bottle is in the laundry basket.

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Question 3 of 10

3. In a state of despair, Don desperately ransacks his apartment in an unsuccessful search for another bottle. Furthermore, Don doesn't have any money and no one will give him any credit. How does Don manage to obtain something to drink? Hint

Don sings for donations.

Don goes outside and dances for cash.

He finds money left by Wick to pay the maid.

He sells an expensive jacket.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Just having purchased a couple of bottles of the cheapest rye whiskey, Don revisits his favorite watering hole. Don entertains Nat with a story of how he plans to smuggle his ill-gotten whiskey onto the farm. How does Nat respond to Don's plot? Hint

"That is certainly a clever plan."

"Oh, Mr. Birnam, why don't you lay off the stuff for a while?"

"In my opinion, that will never work."

"That's the most ridiculous thing that I've ever heard."

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Question 5 of 10

5. In a conversation with Nat, Don acknowledges that alcohol has a significant detrimental effect on his body, yet the psychological effect makes him feel supreme. Of the following people, with whom, does he not compare himself? Hint

Michaelangelo

William Shakespeare

Albert Einstein

Jesse James

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the name of the actress who portrayed Don's indefatigably loyal girlfriend? (hint: She was married to a former U.S. president) Hint

Doris Dowling

Helen Dickson

Mary Young

Jane Wyman

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Question 7 of 10

7. Throughout this film, eerie, spooky music pervades the atmosphere. What unusual instrument provides the atmosphere for this film? Hint

harmonica

sitar

Moog synthesizer

theremin

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Question 8 of 10

8. In a flashback, Don recounts his confession to Helen about the source of his alcoholism. Don suggests that his alcoholism is attributed to what? Hint

his general dissatisfaction with life

his typewriter is broken

his inability to play the violin

his failure as a writer

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Question 9 of 10

9. Desperate for a drink, Don intends to hock his precious typewriter for enough cash to get something else to drink. Much to his dismay, he discovers that all of the pawn shops are closed. What is the reason? Hint

It's Sunday.

It's Yom Kippur.

Don is hallucinating.

It's raining.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Don seeks out his friend from Nat's Bar, Gloria. Don, in his charming way, had invited her on a date, but failed to appear. Unable to pawn his typewriter, Don turns to Gloria for some cash. Does she give him any money?

Yes

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who portrays the character of Don Birnam?

Answer: Ray Milland

Ray Milland won three awards for this film. His acting career spanned well over fifty years. One of his less notable performances, was his role as Dr. Maxwell Kirshner in the 1972 film, "The Man with Two Heads". This particular film has the dubious distinction of being one of the fifty worst movies ever made. Even so, Ray Milland's performance in this film is superb.

Answer: It's outside of his apartment window, tied to a string.

Don has suspended a bottle of whiskey with a string, outside of his apartment window. Wick has carelessly flicked a cigarette towards the window, which lands on the window ledge. While retrieving the still burning cigarette, Wick notices the string along with the bottle of whiskey. Somewhat disgusted at Don's ruse, Wick pours the contents of the bottle into the sink.

Answer: He finds money left by Wick to pay the maid.

Unexpectedly, the maid arrives to clean the apartment. Not to be bothered, Don asks her to come back another time. The maid wants to know if Wick has left her any money. Suddenly inspired, Don asks where the money might be. The maid replies that it is in the kitchen, inside the cookie jar.

Answer: "Oh, Mr. Birnam, why don't you lay off the stuff for a while?"

Enlivened by having a couple of drinks, Don, with a great deal of animation, describes his plot to Nat. Nat really doesn't approve of the way Don drinks. He tries to discourage Don from carrying out his plan, by suggesting that he just, "lay off the stuff for a while."

Answer: Albert Einstein

Don admits that his consumption of alcohol "shrinks his liver." It "pickles my kidneys." Don, then says, "But, what does it do to my mind?" "I'm Michaelangelo, molding the beard of Moses." "I'm Van Gogh, painting pure sunlight." "I'm Jesse James and his two brothers. All three of them." "I'm W. Shakespeare." Don continues to convey to Nat the enormous confidence that alcohol brings to him. Yet, it is only a chimera.

6. What is the name of the actress who portrayed Don's indefatigably loyal girlfriend? (hint: She was married to a former U.S. president)

Answer: Jane Wyman

Jane Wyman was married to Ronald Reagan, a former actor himself, who later went into politics, becoming the fortieth president of the United States. Wyman achieved critical acclaim with her performance in this film.

7. Throughout this film, eerie, spooky music pervades the atmosphere. What unusual instrument provides the atmosphere for this film?

Answer: theremin

The theremin, invented by Lev Theremin, provides the ethereal music for this film. It has also been used in several science fiction films. The unique qualities of the theremin have also been used in science fiction television classics, such as, "The Outer Limits" and "Star Trek".

8. In a flashback, Don recounts his confession to Helen about the source of his alcoholism. Don suggests that his alcoholism is attributed to what?

Answer: his failure as a writer

Don is supposed to meet Helen's parents. Don overhears a conversation between Helen's parents and avoids meeting them. Helen seeks Don out and meets Wick at Don's apartment. Wick valiantly tries to cover for Don, but Helen divines the truth of the situation. Undaunted, she encourages Don to seek help and work his way through his writer's block.

Answer: It's Yom Kippur.

Weary and frustrated to no end, Don meets some businessmen, standing in front of a closed pawn shop. Don asks why every pawn shop is closed, and the men reply that it's Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. Further, they have an agreement with the other pawn shop owners, that the Jewish pawn shop owners will close on St. Patrick's Day.

Answer: Yes

Gloria had great expectations with her promised date with Don. Don's fixation with alcohol, naturally prevented him from keeping his date. Furious at being spurned, Gloria wants nothing more to do with Don. Even so, Gloria still holds some affection for Don. Don kisses Gloria and she relents, giving him a few dollars.

Source: Author christopherm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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