The Night of the Hunter Trivia Quiz

Answer: Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum (1917-1997) plays the evil Harry Powell to perfection. It is a tour de force performance because he makes the audience believe that he is sincere and in a moment turns into a psychological and menacing murderer. The director cast Mitchum when, at an audition among many stars who wanted the part, the director explained that Harry was a 'diabolical rat'.

At this Mitchum is said to have raised his hand and said, 'Present'. Mitchum appeared to be a rough type with a casual sneer especially when interviewed about acting.

In truth he was a cultured man, who was a composer and singer. He appeared in many dramatic films including 'Out of the Past' (1947) and 'Cape Fear' (1962).

Answer: Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton (1899-1962) took his directorial responsibilities as seriously as he did his role as Quasimodo in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1939) to his role as the barrister, Robards, in 'Witness for the Prosecution' (1957). He often would hire and then fire actors to get a just right performance from someone else.

For example a major recasting was merely based on body size of the actor. Even this simple change made an extraordinary difference in the scene. Laughton never directed again. He much preferred directing for stage.

The film received bad reviews upon its release but later became part of the collection of great cultural and historically important films in the Library of Congress.

Answer: Love and Hate

'Love' is tattooed on his right knuckles and 'Hate' on his left. Harry uses these as a way to begin a sermon in order to convince people he is a man of God. When we first see Harry, he is clenching his fists as he watches a burlesque show. Immediately the audience knows there is some hypocrisy here. What they don't know is Harry's hate for women and love of money and his murderous history.

Answer: He overhears Ben talking it his sleep.

Harry is arrested while in the burlesque theater and he winds up sharing a cell with Ben Harper, played by Peter Graves (1926-2010). Graves usually played good guys, but in this role we see his ability to show both sides of Ben's personality. Ben is a good father but his inability to get work during the depression leads him to crime.

While sharing a cell, Harry overhears Ben talk in his sleep about the money. Harry decides to learn all he can about Ben's life in order to somehow get his hands on the money.

Answer: Willa's dead body, with hair flowing and a gash in her throat.

This memorable and terrible scene shows us Harry's handwork. Just like Birdie, we look down into the churning waters and see Willa, played by Shelly Winters (1922-2006), sitting up as if alive in the car. Her hair flows up from the currents and then we see the bloody gash on her throat.

Shelley Winters credits Laughton with teaching her how to give a 'thoughtful performance'. Many know Shelley Winters as a blonde bombshell in such films as 'The Great Gatsby' (1949) and 'Executive Suite'(1954).

Answer: He puts the money inside Pearl's doll.

The first scene with the children shows them frightened as the police arrest their father, Ben Harper, played by Peter Graves (1926-2010), for theft and murder. The audience also hears Ben make John and Pearl promise never to tell where the money is and he stuffs the money into Pearl's doll.

This stolen money is the focal point for Harry's murderous rage and con man routine to beguile the townspeople, the children and even, although he fails, Rachel Cooper. Mr. Graves is known for his 1970's television role as Mr. Phelps in 'Mission Impossible'.

Answer: Lillian Gish

Lillian Gish (1893-1993) began her career in films back in silent movies and was a protogee of the great D.W Griffith (1875-1948). Miss Gish was associated with Griffith throughout her career and he was known as The Inventor of Hollywood. Her career continued well into her 90s. Miss Gish was such a devoted actor of truth and courage in her work that we are hard pressed to ever see her not capture the most believable nature behind every character she ever played.

In 'The Night of the Hunter' we see a strong woman, who dishes out discipline with a loving hand and a woman who, though small in stature, has great strength and faith. Miss Gish appeared with the great Sarah Bernhardt in 1905 and was known for her willingness to experience great hardships in order to make the scene more authentic.

In 1984, she was awarded the American Film Institutes Lifetime Achievement Award.

Answer: Ruby

Ruby is an orphaned teenager and seeks male attention. When Harry flirts with her, he fascinates her. It's Rachel who sees and understands the situation and keeps Ruby away from him. This scene allows us to actually see Harry use his considerable charm to seduce information from innocents.

Answer: John gives Rachel an apple wrapped in her own paper doily.

The gift giving scene at the end of the film is emotionally moving. The children are safe in Rachel's care, and what better holiday to be celebrating than the birth of the Christ child? Rachel has a gift for all of her charges and they each have something for her except John.

He desperately looks around for a gift and sees her bowl of apples. He takes one, shines it up, wraps it in a paper doily and gives it to her. At this moment the audience knows everyone is safe and he has bonded in love with Rachel Cooper.

Answer: Harry is to be hanged by the neck till he is dead.

Harry is shot by Rachel and runs screaming into the barn. There the police find him and arrest him and take him to jail. The townspeople, who once supported him, are now against him and demand his execution. The mob is ready to kill him themselves but the executioner tells them he will happily do the job after his trial. At last the children are safe and secure with Rachel Cooper.