"War of the Worlds" (1953) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mars

"The Second World War involved every continent on the globe, and men turned to science for new devices of warfare, which reached an unparalleled peak in their capacity for destruction. And now, fought with the terrible weapons of super science, menacing all mankind and every creature on the Earth comes the 'War of the Worlds.'" These invaders come from one of the closer planets to Earth. The invaders are from Mars.

Answer: California

The residents of Pine Summit, California are witnesses to what appears to be a huge fireball. Several of the more curious residents rush to the scene. They already conceive of ideas on how to make money from the object.

Answer: Gene Barry

Perhaps, Gene Barry was more popular in his later Western, "Bat Masterson. He won a Golden Globe, for his role in "Burke's Law." He also made a very brief cameo appearance in the remake of this movie, starring Tom Cruise. But, in this film, he is the somewhat debonair, Dr. Clayton Forrester.

Answer: Sylvia Van Buren

Sylvia Van Buren, teaches Library Science, at U.S.C. She is played by the American actress, Ann Robinson, who also makes a brief cameo appearance in Spielberg's remake of the same film. Dr. Forrester accepts an invitation to stay at the home of Pastor Matthew Collins, Sylvia's uncle.

Answer: They are incinerated.

The men attempt to make a friendly gesture to whatever has emerged from the meteor. Waving white flags and pleading peace, the men approach the object. "We're friends. Hey, there, open up." Shortly thereafter the machine, which resembles a metallic cobra, emerges from the meteor, and blasts the three men with what appears to be a heat ray, instantly incinerating the three men. Simultaneously, power goes out in the area.

Answer: No

Apparently the Martian machines have an impenetrable force field. The military's most destructive weapon has had no appreciable effect on their landing place. Seemingly defeated, with the failure of their optimum weapon of destruction, the general refuses to admit defeat. Dr. Forrester remarks that, "If they're mortal, they must have mortal weaknesses. They'll be stopped, somehow."

Answer: Los Angeles

General Mann has ordered a complete evacuation of Los Angeles. The Martian fleet continues their rampage, and proceed to destroy the city. Dr. Forrester is frantically looking for his friend, as the Martians continue their reign of terror.

Answer: Pacific Institute of Science and Technology

Dr. Forrester is associated with an esteemed group of scientists at the Pacific Institute of Science and Technology. After producing a sample of blood and part of an electronic eye, more information is revealed about the Martians.

Answer: a church

Dr. Forrester is quite certain that he can find Sylvia at a church. He waives off the offer for help from the military police, persistent in locating Sylvia. Dr. Forrester has finally located Sylvia in a church, which is perhaps the most comforting place to be, under the circumstances.

Answer: bacteria

It has been discovered that the Martians have a particularly low level of resistance to the many strains of bacteria on Earth. "The Martians had no resistance to the bacteria in our atmosphere, to which we have long since become immune. Once they had breathed our air, germs, which no longer affect us, began to kill them. The end came swiftly. All over the world, their machines began to stop and fall. After all that men could do had failed, the Martians were destroyed and humanity was saved by the littlest things, which God, in His wisdom, had put upon this Earth."