Boomers-The Formative Years (B-TFY) 6 Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim wrote the song, "America", in 1956 for the musical "West Side Story". Can you identify the next line in the lyric? "Immigrant goes to America, Many hellos in America; Nobody knows in America"

Answer: Puerto Rico's in America!

Do you know the third "West Side Story" musketeer who choreographed the musical? If you guessed Merce Cunningham, you are wrong. The song did not make the charts but it did make the American Film Institute's (AFI's) 100 Years...100 Songs at number 35 sandwiched between "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and "Supercalifragiwhatever".

My favorite lines from "America" include, "Land of the pilgrims' pride" and "Michigan seems like a dream to me now." The AFI has numerous lists. I made a list, the AFI 100 People Who Have Watched "Groundhog" the Most Times; I was number 86.

The choreographer was Jerome Robbins, who was "fresh" off his triumph of "Peter Pan".

2. This song was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin in 1934 for the movie "Dames". Eddy Duchin and his Orchestra reached number four on the Billboard (BB) Chart with it. It was later recorded by the Flamingos in 1959 and it hit number eleven on the BB Hot 100 Chart and number three on the Rhythm and Blues (R&B) Chart. Name that tune. "I don't know if we're in a garden Or on a crowded avenue Sha bop sha bop You are here Sha bop sha bop And so am I Sha bop sha bop"

Answer: I Only Have Eyes for You

I don't think "sha bop sha bop" was in the original version. I think it had "rama lama ding dong the witch is dead".

The Lettermen charted with a version in 1966 and Art Garfunkel had a BB Easy listening number one single in 1975. It was used in films other than "Dames". It was in "Tea for Two" in 1950. It was in "American Graffiti" but what isn't. It was also in "A Bronx Tale" and "Something's Gotta Give". It was in a "Star Trek Voyager" episode. That is the one with Captain Janeway and The Doctor, Holo Graphic, Batman!

3. Carl Sigman wrote the lyrics in 1958 to a tune written by Charles G. Dawes who later became the VPOTUS under Calvin Coolidge who probably appreciated the version without the words but he wouldn't say. Tommy Edwards recorded it in 1958. He was not a VPOTUS under Ike. Its name? "Soon he'll be there at your side with a sweet bouquet And he'll kiss your lips and caress your waiting fingertips And your heart will fly away"

Answer: It's All in the Game

The Edwards' version reached number one on the BB Hot 100 chart. His version was used in the movies "Diner" and "Mischief". "Mischief" may not have been a great movie but it had a good soundtrack. "Diner" on the other hand was a good movie and it had a good soundtrack. Oh, and a good, young, relatively unknown cast, including Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Daniel Stern, Steve Guttenberg and Ellen Barkin.

They mostly went on to other successes with a few bumps in the road or on the head.

It had a somewhat comical but disturbing scene where Eddie was giving Beth a test as a prerequisite to getting married. Is anyone ever that shallow/callow?

4. Written by Nacio Herb Brown, (not to be confused with Nacio Herb Green) and Arthur Freed in 1939. It was used most famously in the movie, "Singin' in the Rain" where it was sung by Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor and Gene Kelly. Do you remember it? "It might be just as zippy If you was in Mississipi!" and "Nothin' could be grander than to be in Louisiana"

Answer: Good Morning

I believe "Singin' in the Rain" is still the American Film Institute's number one musical and deservedly so. One hilarious piece from the movie is the "Make 'em Laugh" one with Donald O'Connor. The lady in the skit went on to audition for an automobile crash dummy position but her head was in the clouds during it so she did not get the gig. Donald O'Connor went on to audition for the role of Beau Geste as a young lad, got it and went back and made it.

5. This song was written by James Keyes, Claude Feaster, Carl Feaster, Floyd F. McRae, James Edwards, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Thomas Paine, John Adams and Mort Drucker and Don Martin. It was recorded by the Chords and the Crew Cuts in 1954. And it is? "If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love Life could be a dream sweetheart"

Answer: Sh Boom

The list of real authors in the intro ends with James Edwards. Drucker and Martin wrote for "Mad" magazine. The remaining four authors applied for but did not get positions at "Mad". They did go on to write for "Saturday Night Live" though.

The Chords' song reached number two on the BB R&B chart and number nine on the pop chart. The Crew Cuts' version was number one on the BB charts. It was used in quite a few movies, It was not in "American Graffiti" but it is on the list for the planned sequel, "National Lampoon's American Graffiti 3- The Return of Chevy Chase".

6. Written by Larry Russell, Inez James and Buddy Pepper in 1953, The Les Paul and Mary Ford recording made it number one on the BB Pop chart. Go figure. Got it? "Now the dawn is breaking through a gray tomorrow, But the memories we share are there to borrow."

Answer: Vaya con Dios

The song was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005. Technically, Mary Ford could be a Grammy, Les Paul could not, at least not back in those days. If he wanted to be a comic strip character he could be a Grimmy.

Also in the Grammy Hall of Fame is Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5", a snippet of which I believe was used in the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". I tried confirming by searching the web but did not get any support. What good is the internet if it cannot answer every inconsequential, arcane question I choose to pose?

7. This 1953 song was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The Tony Bennett version made it to number one on the BB chart. Think Crusader Rabbit. Get it? "My clothes may still be torn and tattered But in my heart I'd be a king Your love is all that ever mattered It's everything"

Answer: Rags to Riches

The song was used in the movie, "Goodfellas" which just may have the highest density of "f" words of any major release. The Big Ragoo used to sing it on "Laverne and Shirley".

Crusader Rabbit's sidekick was Rags the Tiger. Crusader Rabbit was sort of a prototype for the hit show, "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show". "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" was sort of a prototype for the wittier liberal and conservative "news" shows of today. Rocky and Bullwinkle had consistently more accurate information.

8. A song written by Jerry Herst and Jack Sharpe in 1937. It phoenixed in 1957 courtesy of a recording by Jimmy Dorsey. This one may be a little tough so consider: it's like a day in June. Name it? "You are perfection, you're my idea Of angels singin' the "Ave Maria" Or you're an angel, I'd breathe and live you With every beat of the heart that I give you"

Answer: So Rare

The Dorsey version reached number two on BB Pop chart and number eighty on the Mom chart. It had to be one the last "Big Band" hits. So what is so rare as a day in June? James Russell Lowell's poem says,

"Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays;
Whether we look, or whether we listen,
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;"

And what else glistens? "In the lane snow is glistening." Therefore, what is so rare? I posit a day in June is a Winter Wonderland. QED

9. This song was written by Leon Ren� and recorded by Bobby Day in 1958. What is it? "Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee Tweet Tweet Tweet Tweet"

Answer: Rockin' Robin

It wasn't Baltimore Oriole because Rockin' Robin out bopped the Oriole. The song reached number two on the BB Hot 100. Leon Ren� and Georgette Magritte with their dog went on to fame in the Paul Simon song. Apr�s la guerre.

Chicken today and feathers tomorrow is personal philosophy that suggests you save the feathers 'cause you might need them in tougher times and was based on an Aesop fable. These facts are also for the most part fabulous.

10. This zither instrumental was written and performed by Anton Karas in 1949. It hit the USA in 1950 where it reached number one on the BB chart. And the name is?

Answer: 'Third Man' Theme

The tune was considered for a marriage with the lyric of "Strangers in the Night" but Sinatra and the zither didn't click. Zither here nor there, but I believe this was the only number one zither hit in the USA. A zither is similar to a dulcimer. The dulcimer was derived from Don Quixote's imaginary love, Dulcinea del Toboso. Toboso is a town in the province of Toledo. Toledo is also a city in Ohio. "Ohio" was a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song. KEVIN BACON!

Source: Author gfitz47

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Same as previous quizzes save we had to cut back on the humor. Writers from China are getting paid more per joke. Some non mainstream songs. Hope you still enjoy.

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