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Quiz about Film Composer John Williams Trivia

Film Composer John Williams Trivia Quiz

John Williams (film composer and conductor) is my favorite musical artist of all time. Here are some general questions on his music and career.

A multiple-choice quiz by Maestrojw. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Maestrojw

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
70,131

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
1034

Last 3 plays: Guest 104 (5/15), Guest 172 (4/15), Guest 174 (0/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. For what film did Williams receive his first Academy Award win? Hint

'Fiddler On The Roof' (1971)

'The Poseidon Adventure' (1973)

'Jaws' (1975)

'The Reivers' (1969)

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Question 2 of 15

2. Which of the following Harrison Ford movies did Williams NOT compose the musical score to? Hint

'Presumed Innocent' (1990)

'Patriot Games' (1992)

'Indiana Jones and Last Crusade' (1989)

'Sabrina' (1995)

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Question 3 of 15

3. Williams has written several concertos for various instruments. Which concerto was written shortly after the death of Williams' first wife and is dedicated to her? Hint

Flute Concerto

Cello Concerto

Bassoon Concerto

Violin Concerto

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Question 4 of 15

4. Which of the following directors did Williams NOT work for on a scoring assignment in the 20th century? Hint

Richard Donner

William Friedkin

Oliver Stone

Brian De Palma

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Question 5 of 15

5. Which of the following Jack Nicholson films has Williams scored? Hint

'Wolf' (1994)

'Hoffa' (1992)

'The Two Jakes' (1990)

'The Witches of Eastwick' (1987)

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Question 6 of 15

6. For which ensemble did Williams serve as music director for 13 years? Hint

The Boston Pops

The Boston Chamber Orchestra

The Boston Symphony

The Boston Philharmonia

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Question 7 of 15

7. Which of the following Williams-scored films was originally to be scored by Patrick Doyle? Hint

'Sleepers' (1996)

'Stanley and Iris' (1990)

'Seven Years In Tibet' (1997)

'Stepmom' (1998)

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Question 8 of 15

8. What popular artist performed the Williams-written song 'In the Moonlight' from his score to 'Sabrina'? Hint

Elton John

Luciano Pavarotti

Tony Bennett

Sting

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Question 9 of 15

9. Williams was awarded one Academy award in the 1990s. For what film did he win? Hint

'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)

'Schindler's List' (1993)

'Nixon' (1995)

'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' (1999)

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Question 10 of 15

10. What is the only Steven Spielberg feature film NOT scored by Williams of the following? Hint

'Hook' (1991)

'1941' (1979)

'The Color Purple' (1985)

'The Sugarland Express' (1973)

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Question 11 of 15

11. What famous director referred Williams to George Lucas to work on a little known space movie named 'Star Wars'? Hint

Steven Spielberg

Stanley Kubrick

Alfred Hitchcock

Francis Ford Coppola

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Question 12 of 15

12. Speaking of Alfred Hitchcock... Williams scored one Alfred Hitchcock film. Which one was it? Hint

'Topaz' (1969)

'Family Plot' (1976)

'Frenzy' (1971)

'Torn Curtain' (1966)

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Question 13 of 15

13. What is John Williams's middle name?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 14 of 15

14. Which of the following blockbuster scores by Williams did NOT win an Academy Award for best score? Hint

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

'E.T.' (1982)

'Star Wars' (1977)

'Jaws' (1975)

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Question 15 of 15

15. Williams has scored films starring all but one of the following classic leading men. Which one didn't he work with? Hint

Cary Grant

Henry Fonda

John Wayne

Frank Sinatra

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 30 2024 : Guest 104: 5/15
Nov 18 2024 : Guest 172: 4/15
Nov 11 2024 : Guest 174: 0/15
Nov 02 2024 : Guest 125: 5/15
Oct 30 2024 : emmal2000uk: 0/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. For what film did Williams receive his first Academy Award win?

Answer: 'Fiddler On The Roof' (1971)

Williams's first Academy Award was for his adaption of the music for the 1971 film version of 'Fiddler On The Roof.' His first Oscar win for his own Original Score would come for 'Jaws.'

2. Which of the following Harrison Ford movies did Williams NOT compose the musical score to?

Answer: 'Patriot Games' (1992)

James Horner composed the music for 'Patriot Games'!

3. Williams has written several concertos for various instruments. Which concerto was written shortly after the death of Williams' first wife and is dedicated to her?

Answer: Violin Concerto

Williams's first wife passed in 1973, the violin concerto was completed in 1975 (though later revised) and later recorded in 1983. The flute concerto was completed in 1969 and was inspired and influenced by traditional Japanese sounds. More recently, the Cello Concerto was written specifically for Yo-Yo Ma, and the Bassoon Concerto inspired by and named after the myth of the 'The Five Sacred Trees'.

4. Which of the following directors did Williams NOT work for on a scoring assignment in the 20th century?

Answer: William Friedkin

Williams has scored 'Superman' (Donner 1978), 'The Fury' (De Palma 1978) and 3 films ('JFK,' 'Nixon,' 'Born on the 4th of July') for Stone.

5. Which of the following Jack Nicholson films has Williams scored?

Answer: 'The Witches of Eastwick' (1987)

If you said 'Wolf,' that wasn't a bad guess. Williams was originally supposed to score 'Wolf.' Ennio Morricone eventually ended up composing the music.

6. For which ensemble did Williams serve as music director for 13 years?

Answer: The Boston Pops

He succeeded Arthur Fiedler as The Boston Pops conductor!

7. Which of the following Williams-scored films was originally to be scored by Patrick Doyle?

Answer: 'Stepmom' (1998)

Doyle's score for 'Stepmom' was rejected and Williams was brought in last minute to write a new score.

8. What popular artist performed the Williams-written song 'In the Moonlight' from his score to 'Sabrina'?

Answer: Sting

At the time this quiz was compiled Elton John and Tony Bennett have not yet worked with Williams on any film. Pavarotti did perform Williams' 'If We Were In Love' from the 1982 film 'Yes, Giorgio'.

9. Williams was awarded one Academy award in the 1990s. For what film did he win?

Answer: 'Schindler's List' (1993)

'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Nixon' were nominated but didn't win. 'Phantom Menace' wasn't even nominated. 'Schindler's List' won 7 awards including Best Score, Best Picture, and Best Director.

10. What is the only Steven Spielberg feature film NOT scored by Williams of the following?

Answer: 'The Color Purple' (1985)

Quincy Jones (who also produced the film) scored 'The Color Purple.'

11. What famous director referred Williams to George Lucas to work on a little known space movie named 'Star Wars'?

Answer: Steven Spielberg

Spielberg (a good friend of George Lucas) and Williams were just coming off the phenomenal success of 'Jaws' at about the same time Lucas was looking for a composer for the first 'Star Wars' movie.

12. Speaking of Alfred Hitchcock... Williams scored one Alfred Hitchcock film. Which one was it?

Answer: 'Family Plot' (1976)

'Family Plot,' coincidentally, was Hitch's last film.

13. What is John Williams's middle name?

Answer: Towner

John Towner Williams (b. 1932).

14. Which of the following blockbuster scores by Williams did NOT win an Academy Award for best score?

Answer: 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

'Raiders' lost to 'Chariots of Fire.' A shame, isn't it?

15. Williams has scored films starring all but one of the following classic leading men. Which one didn't he work with?

Answer: Cary Grant

Williams has scored 'The Cowboys' with John Wayne, 'None But The Brave' with Frank Sinatra, and 'Midway' with Henry Fonda.

Source: Author Maestrojw

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