"Torn Curtain", a 1966 Hitchcock Film Quiz

Answer: Copenhagen, Denmark

The first scene of the film shows us Michael Armstrong and Sarah Sherman aboard a cruise ship headed for Copenhagen, Denmark. They are coming to a convention in Europe to discuss the latest in anti-missile technology.

Newman and Andrews were not Hitchcock's first choice for the roles; he was hoping for Cary Grant for the male lead and another of his "icy blondes" (Kim Novak, Eva Marie Saint, Tippi Hedren or perhaps an unknown) for the female lead. But the studio convinced him that Newman and Andrews were bigger "box office" and it was felt he resented having these two actors "pushed down his throat".

Answer: common law wife

Again, even for 1966, this dialogue was a little risque. But it is needed, I suppose, to show how very close Michael and Sarah are, in light of what will happen later. A couple of scenes later, Sarah tells one of the conventioneers that she and Michael are engaged, but the subject is never raised again, so it's unclear if she was telling the truth or not.

The subject of her nationality is *never* mentioned, which I found a little odd, as it stresses over and over that Michael is an American.

Answer: says he is going to Stockholm, is really going to East Berlin

Michael tells Sarah he is going to Stockholm, Sweden, but he is acting so suspiciously she doesn't believe him. So, foolishly, she follows him and they both end up on a plane to East Berlin. When Michael sees her on the plane, he is furious, but it is too late. He tells her a lie (that he will be giving secrets to the East Germans) when he is actually a double agent, spying for the USA.

Answer: Gamma-5

When Sarah at first believes Michael's lie, that he will be giving secrets to the East Germans, she asks him if it is because he feels he had wasted his time on the Gamma-5 project. He lies to her again and tells her if his work is not appreciated in his own country, then he hopes to find someone who will recognize his genius. Later, when the East Germans are questioning Sarah and she runs from the room, he catches up with her and tells her the truth.

Answer: 'big deal' and 'hot dog'

For some reason, Gromek found these two phrases just hilarious and laughs and laughs about them. It is clear to both Michael and Sarah that Gromek is no 'guide' -- that, in fact, he has been assigned to keep a close eye on the pair. Michael will end up killing Gromek, in one of the most riveting scenes in the film.

Answer: Yes

Pretty clever! From his work on the Gamma-5 project, Michael has enough knowledge to be able to come up with a plausible equation, hoping Dr. Lindt's pride will overcome his reason and that he will correct Michael's errors. This works perfectly and it is only after Dr. Lindt has made the correction that he realizes what a terrible error in judgment he has made.

Answer: yells "Fire!"

They say it is a crime to yell "Fire" in a crowded theater, but Michael sees it as the only way out of his predicament. The plan almost backfires as, in the ensuing commotion, Sarah is separated from Michael and appears to be caught in the throngs that are hastily rushing to the exits.

But this is the movies, folks, so just in the nick of time, Sarah is able to extricate herself and join Michael at the rear entrance, where their getaway vehicles are stashed.

Answer: bicycle

The nurse, who is a part of the escape network, takes them to the stashed bicycles and tells them it is just a short ride on bikes (for some reason she says this twice) to catch up to the bus which will lead them safely out of East Germany.

Answer: ballet costumes

The movie is somewhat unclear as to how Michael and Sarah got out of the baskets; it seems like, at first, Hitchcock is trying to make us believe they *are* in the baskets. When we see them swimming away from the ship, we realize that they have must have jumped overboard. When the baskets are opened, disclosing only ballet costumes, we then know that they are safe.

Answer: False

There is no such piece of fabric mentioned anywhere in the film. The phrase 'torn curtain' pretty obviously refers to the Communist "Iron Curtain" which Michael and Sarah have 'torn' by penetrating the secrets of the East German anti-missile project.